Added small LCD Display/screen for information about use space disk

[oxyde]

@joeschmuck

I took the time to draw out how large a 2" Display physically looked like. YES! Very small. Maybe a little too small? Could be personal preference I guess.

I was looking at this 3.5" display as a possible alternative.

When i opened It i got the same first impression… But honestly, after have used It, either a smaller one can do the job greatly. But as you stated, much depending where you wanna put it

@joeschmuck

The 2" display you have looks like you have 8 wires connected to the display (just a guess). How many wires is it actually?

8 wires in total, confirmed

@joeschmuck

Exactly what device are you using to control the display? An RPI Pico or Pico 2? And does it matter?

The device Is a Pico PI with USB C. I can’t be sure Is original, and i don’t care honestly.
You can use whatever you want, being this a basic job Is just a matter of “what cost more of the cheaper Pico (or similar) Is a waste”.
Just for say: i have an Arduino R3 clone that could do the job the same… But Is 4 way bigger, and use C instead of python

@joeschmuck

I ask because I already have a RPI Zero that I have never used and I do know it isn’t the same as a Pico but maybe it could be adapted, not sure nor if it is even worth the effort. It is older at version 1.1 (2017). It was given to me along with an RPI 3 Model B+. But I have no issue purchasing a new one, likely easier in the long run anyway.

Afaik the Zero > Pico, use It without problem, Is free! I don’t think that any changes to the code will be needed

@joeschmuck

Yes, I’m looking for a new project. I’d like the larger display myself and since I don’t have any 5.25" drive bays, it would be a custom case for my use and I would try to fit everything inside a single plastic case.

Are there any other parts I should purchase and in your opinion, am I making any mistakes?

Apart from the switches (that i can’t say you for sure if i will ever implement, atm Is working in a totally incompatible way), i wanna just warn you again about the only important things: before choice a display, check if there Is a maintained library with the same interface, or the effort wont be worth

Edit: forget to Say that the ili9486 you post seems viable to use!

[joeschmuck]

Thanks for the feedback, it is appreciated.

As for the display I listed being compatible, that is great news. I wasn’t thinking of a needed library to control it.

The ability to have some function control would not be up to you to figure out, if I can get that far then I would be able to modify the code you have already created to make it do a few small extra things.

I would like to display data in a similar way as the TrueNAS GUI but it does not need to be exact, just similar. I like the graphics they used. The CPU Utilization could be a bit fancier but I have seen stuff out there that looks much better and maybe I could make that work. It is all about learning for me and possibly making a useful tool.

Honestly, my TrueNAS machine sits in a room that I almost never visit so the display will not be a useful tool for me. It is just about having a nice project to do and learning something new.

Getting back to the project, would you rather me ask you technical questions here, in email, or in a PM (personal message) (what is called DM by the youngsters today)?

I will start before I forget my first question…
The interface between the Pico and the computer is what kind of connection? USB-A (4 pin header)?

I pulled the trigger! Here is exactly what I purchased from AliExpress:
RPI Pico
RPI Pico 2
3.5" TFT LCD Display
Touch Switches
Some various 20cm jumpers (Female to Female, Female to Male, Male to Male)
I almost purchased a second display, non-touch screen but it was another $8 USD so I will wait to see what I can do with this.

Since I have the touch screen display, the Touch Sensors are just something to play with for now. Not sure if it will become part of this project, maybe if a person doesn’t have a touch screen it could be an option.

I do not expect to see this arrive for 18 days minimum, if I’m lucky. I now have time to figure out what I will be doing.

[oxyde]

@joeschmuck

Honestly, my TrueNAS machine sits in a room that I almost never visit so the display will not be a useful tool for me. It is just about having a nice project to do and learning something new.

For me Is the opposite, he sits pratically next to me in the same desk of the workstation (that Is a mini itx PC, near the monitors)… That’s why i’m evaluating to not integrate the LCD directly into the case but under the second monitor… i’m still puzzled

@joeschmuck

I will start before I forget my first question…
The interface between the Pico and the computer is what kind of connection? USB-A (4 pin header)?

Nothing fancy there, just an USB C (Pico) > USB B (Nas). If you have a free internal USB port (or a PIN connector unusef) things will be “cleaner”, no cable visible.

@joeschmuck

I almost purchased a second display, non-touch screen but it was another $8 USD so I will wait to see what I can do with this.

I have to admit, i have spent much less than you but maybe Is just for country difference. I have bought 2 because they cost just 2 and 3€, and because i will make probably 2 anyway (another one to put on a gaming PC that i use like a console, i “squeeze” It a bit, temps go high easily).

@joeschmuck

Getting back to the project, would you rather me ask you technical questions here, in email, or in a PM (personal message) (what is called DM by the youngsters today)?

Last but not least, you can email me when you want, no need to ask

[joeschmuck]

@oxyde

That’s why i’m evaluating to not integrate the LCD directly into the case but under the second monitor… i’m still puzzled

Do you physically have enough clearance below your monitor?
On the back of your monitor, are there any screws/holes which you could utilize with a custom mounting bracket?

When it comes the a custom mounting bracket, there are of course factors like how strong would a plastic mount be compared to a metal mounting plate. I would use whatever would look best.

I guess you could have it be a standalone display with some feet on it for stability.

@oxyde

If you have a free internal USB port (or a PIN connector unused) things will be “cleaner”, no cable visible.

That is exactly what I was going to do. With that said, my case is perforated so making this work could be a challenge. I may create a special mount which feeds through the eight LCD pins in an insulator and then on the inside use a custom built connector. This 3D printer is awesome! And of course the display would be mounted using four very small screws. I don’t want to modify the front of the case, it looks way too nice and clean.

Yes, I did spend a lot but you should have seen the price before I removed many items

My hope is that both the Pico’s work, the one with the pre-soldered pins is the test subject, the one without any pins will be the final assembled product. Small and compact as possible. And if I can get the RPI Zero working, that means I might have a different option for people to use. But first, get a Pico to do what I need it to do.

Thanks for your comments.

[Imam_Darwis]

awesome!!! that was great!!!

we want code! we want code! we want code!

[oxyde]

this is the first serious test made, im using 16bit color for now:

this layout is simple but work well nor vertical and orizzontal, and the font is well readable.
The footer will be the “section” name (eg System in first pic, Pools in second, Apps and so on)

Code is still in progress
Next step is build some logic to change dinamically the color of the text displayed, example
would be grate that the free space value will be white - green - red depending on the effective % (and so on for every value).

[Imam_Darwis]

awesome @oxyde

@oxyde

Code is still in progress
Next step is build some logic to change dinamically the color of the text displayed, example
would be grate that the free space value will be white - green - red depending on the effective % (and so on for every value).

if you need some graphic i have source graphic from aida64 ( i dont know its help or not, but i would help you as much i can )

i using this usb C display similar like this USB C LCD display

[oxyde]

I was discussing about those kind of display with Joe, i have to admit that those kind of stuff are black box for me never have had one in my life.
I assume they are prebuilt with some libraries/interfaces that will work with some other program (like Aida as you mentioned), i don’t know if Is actually usable (or Is worth to use) for this purpose… For sure the layout Is beautiful and reproduce It somehow Is on the roadmap.
Unlucky (for the project ) i can’t dedicate much time to this on those days, i’m also considering to pull data from Portainer to keep a complete vision of apps running (i don’t like grab It from eg docker ps, i want something similar to the ix-apps that are the Portainer stacks)

[Imam_Darwis]

@oxyde

I assume they are prebuilt

yes that is prebiuild. i just wanna share to you, that external display information can have a beautiful graphic.

@oxyde

Unlucky (for the project ) i can’t dedicate much time to this on those day

take your time @oxyde

@oxyde

i’m also considering to pull data from Portainer to keep a complete vision of apps running (i don’t like grab It from eg docker ps, i want something similar to the ix-apps that are the Portainer stacks)

i’m agreem, that will be awesome