Badger 2040 compatibility with Flexible eInk/ePaper/EPD Display

Support
1

I see this display Flexible eInk/ePaper/EPD Display SKU COM3501.
I see it has the same number of pins as original display ED029TC1.
by datasheets it seems most of the pins are matching.

Will it work with Badger 2040?

2

Its best to contact tech support directly for that type of question. IMHO anyway ;)
Contact Us for Raspberry Pi Technical Support - Pimoroni

3

That was my first thought. But it is said there - ask in the forum Support.
Here am I.

4

Well, COM3501 is more expensive than ED029TC1, which is sold as a replacement display for the Badger 2040 and surely anyone’s first choice, but perhaps there are other reasons for choosing the former product.

In any case, in the datasheets for both displays, there are reference circuits that may be informative: figure 7-5 on page 33 for the ED029TC1; section 1.6 on page 9 for the GDEW029I6F display of the COM3501.

One thing that stands out amongst the similar sets of pins is that the ED029TC1 doesn’t use pins 4 (VGL) and 19 (VPP) which are used on the GDEW029I6F (COM3501) for power-related purposes, although the latter is apparently for “OTP programming”.

Pin 5 also appears to be used differently: on the ED029TC1 it is used to drive a second colour, whereas it is VGH on the GDEW029I6F. Indeed, pins 21 and 23 on the GDEW029I6F are PREVGH and PREVGL respectively, with VGH and VGL appearing on pins 5 and 4 respectively.

The product that is designed to drive the GDEW029I6F is an Adafruit board with this circuit. It doesn’t seem to connect VPP, but there is a power circuit that provides PREVGH and PREVGL. This somewhat resembles the corresponding element of the Badger 2040 circuit.

Someone with knowledge of these kinds of circuits would have to compare them, but I would at least be concerned that the Badger 2040 doesn’t wire up pin 4 at all.

Sorry if this isn’t conclusive, but at least all the relevant source material is linked in this message.

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5

Great writeup! I share your concerns.

@IvanBadger I suggest that you keep nagging support. This should easily be answered by the technical staff of Pimoroni. They sell all these products and they should be clear in their product pages about compatibility.

6

Yes, it does say to post here. But they do give you a link to contact them directly. If you scroll to the bottom. ;)

Just put a link to this forum thread in your support ticket / e-mail.

7

Thank you for showing me the door.

I’ve got responses from support.

the displays have different drivers and our Badger software unfortunately won’t be compatible with the flexible screen, even if a pin converter is used.

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