disting EX - second display in firmware 1.14

[j450nn014n]

If anyone is willing to build one for me, I am very interested. Drop me a note.

Mail me all the parts, I'll build it, and send it back if you pay shipping, if you want. Won't take more than a few minutes.

[Misterp]

Ordered 2x PCBs and the XODES 3U-1U adaptor. 2x displays from buydisplay and the other parts from RS Components (I am in the UK).
If it all works out I'll post the RS part numbers here as it took me 30 minutes or so to figure it all out.

[Studio67]

Hi Os,
I have a question: I have installed the display (from buydisplay.com), but it only shows the Disting EX logo and boot-loader on the startup.
Is there some settings in the EX for the second display?
I have the one from the list: ER-OLEDM023-1W-4692-4SPI / Pin Header Connection-4-Wire SPI.
And connected all wires like the draw below.
After finding the settings in the EX the display shows only strange dots and lines....
no luck for me....

Update: Think there is a cable break. Go do it all over again

[os]

[Studio67]

Thanks Os, Since I'm going to place the screen externally, it's all more complicated, so I'm going to redo the cabling and no more soldering. ordered a Dupont crimping tool kit.

[Misterp]

That looks useful, where did you pick that up from?

[Liradigital]

Very happy with this big display.
Thank you Os

https://youtu.be/hrtPn_2bHNk

[Studio67]

That looks useful, where did you pick that up from?

From Amazon

[Studio67]

Os: Thanks for the nice solution! Everything works perfectly

[emojiseq]

I've ordered the PCB and a display. What other cables/parts will I need at this point?

I am a newb

[cbm]

Here's the BOM on the Thonk site:

BOM

The project consists of the PCB and two connectors. One is a common through hole 7-way 0.1″ pitch header. The other is a surface mount 16-way 0.1″ pitch header, Samtec part number: SSM-116-L-SV.

Note that the PCB footprint is for the 20-way SMD header (SSM-120-L-SV), but the 16-way version is slightly cheaper and provides all the necessary connections.

You will also need 7 x F-F DuPont cables for connecting the display PCB to the main module.

=====

It's really a pretty easy project.

[Misterp]

That looks useful, where did you pick that up from?

From Amazon

Great, thanks!

[Misterp]

Many thanks for this Os, my eyes are much happier!

For any UK folks that use RS components this may save you a few minutes teasing out the right part numbers from the RS online search:

Samtec, SSM 2.54mm Pitch 20 Way 1 Row Straight PCB Socket, Surface Mount, Solder Termination
Stock no.:765-5452

Samtec, TSW, 20 Way, 1 Row, Straight Pin Header
Stock no.:767-1176

MIKROE-511, Breadboard Jumper Wire Kit
Stock no.:791-6450

[snailed]

is this a good first DIY project? is soldering involved?

[snailed]

how many HP is the display? I could not find this info on Thonk.

[os]

The PCB is 14HP.

[snailed]

Thanks os! SO I would need the 16hp 1u to 3u xodes adapter, right? (It adds an extra 2hp).

[os]

Yes.

[DCDanno]

Thanks os! SO I would need the 16hp 1u to 3u xodes adapter, right? (It adds an extra 2hp).

If you're ordering from Thonk it's listed as a 14hp model. Not sure if it's spec'd differently elsewhere. I was initially confused when I looked on Thonk for a 16hp adapter and couldn't find one, then I read the description and saw where it "eats an extra 2hp" as you've noted.

[j450nn014n]

Yup here you go y'all, grab the PCB here
https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/expert-sle ... splay-pcb/
exp-sleepers-1U-display-main-2 copy.jpg

Hey! Got my thonk PCB and the screens, but the screens are through hole and the thonk panel is SMD. How are folks attaching the two of them? All I can think of is drilling holes in the PCB and soldering the pins onto it. Thanks for any help/advice.

[Misterp]

I bought a surface mount socket and a row of header pins. There is a BOM on the associated Github page I believe.

I ordered from a UK suplier - Samtec is the manufacturer...stock numbers are RS components in the UK.

Samtec, SSM 2.54mm Pitch 20 Way 1 Row Straight PCB Socket, Surface Mount, Solder Termination
Stock no.:765-5452

Samtec, TSW, 20 Way, 1 Row, Straight Pin Header
Stock no.:767-1176

[j450nn014n]

I bought a surface mount socket and a row of header pins. There is a BOM on the associated Github page I believe.

I ordered from a UK suplier - Samtec is the manufacturer...stock numbers are RS components in the UK.

Samtec, SSM 2.54mm Pitch 20 Way 1 Row Straight PCB Socket, Surface Mount, Solder Termination
Stock no.:765-5452

Samtec, TSW, 20 Way, 1 Row, Straight Pin Header
Stock no.:767-1176

zOMFG! Right! I wonder if I have some right angled pin headers that might do the trick! Thanks so much!

[Liradigital]

Yup here you go y'all, grab the PCB here
https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/expert-sle ... splay-pcb/
exp-sleepers-1U-display-main-2 copy.jpg

Hey! Got my thonk PCB and the screens, but the screens are through hole and the thonk panel is SMD. How are folks attaching the two of them? All I can think of is drilling holes in the PCB and soldering the pins onto it. Thanks for any help/advice.

It’s not the best option but you could..
It’s not necessary to drill holes. If you have a TH one you may bend a leg to each side.
Disclaimer: Do it on your own risk

[j450nn014n]

It’s not necessary to drill holes. If you have a TH one you may bend a leg to each side.
Disclaimer: Do it on your own risk

That's almost what I did. I had right angled THT headers and just removed the pin, reoriented it, and put it back in. Worked pretty good.

[patternmusic]

I designed and 3D printed this simple bracket to hold the secondary OLED display for the Disting EX. No soldering is needed.

This version mounts at the bottom to a Eurorack rail. It is 14HP. Note it is not 1U and will not fit in a 1U slot. It does not need or use the PCB from Expert Sleepers/Thonk. But it uses the exact same OLED display from BuyDisplay.com. https://www.buydisplay.com/arduino-2-2- ... e-on-black; choose the "Pin Header Connection-4 Wire SPI" option.

The bracket holds the OLED display to which you directly connect 7 Dupont socket cables. The cables thread through a slot on the back. Sockets at the other ends of these Dupont cables connect to the two jacks on the back of the Disting EX (just as with the PCB). Refer to the Expert Sleepers Github page for details on the connections: https://expertsleepersltd.github.io/har ... y-adaptor/

Update: this excellent diagram by Studio67 from up-thread is a very clear reference for the connections. Pay attention: pin 1 (GND) on the display is on the left when viewed from the front and on the right when viewed from the back where you will plug the Dupont cables to the pins.

The two 3D printed parts require assembly with tiny screws -- 4 screws to hold the OLED display PCB to the bracket, and two screws to hold the cable routing slot on the back. Since it is 3D printed you should pre-tap the plastic holes for the screws with a tiny drill bit to match the tiny screws. I used #1- 1/4" wood screws.

The STL model is on Thingiverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5472361 You are free to download and print it from there for non-commercial use.

Update: I made several different configurations of the 3D printable STL file for mounting in different ways. (See the Thingiverse listing for details).

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tf2mLZe4BE9tbvT7A

As with all things DIY, use this at your own risk, of course.