# How to install and use "node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt"

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [15 April 2025 13:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585 "2025-04-15T13:22:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 9\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![DonC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@DonC](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/DonC)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 13:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/1 "2025-04-15T13:22:28Z")

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New here and struggling to get a 2004 LCD working. It is based on the I2C F8574T chip.

I have tried every node I can find and nothing works. In researching I stubled upon this node in Git: node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt, published by tek79.  
Here is a link to it:

> **[GitHub - tek79/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt at v3](https://github.com/tek79/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/tree/v3)**
>
> v3

I installed it using npm install. I also see the folder for it in /usr/lib/node\_modules/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt

In Node-Red it does not show up in pallet manager.

How do I use a node installed via npm? I tried copying the above folder but linux will not let me.

Completely stuck on how to use this node.

Incidently, using straight python I can talk to and update the display at will so I know the i2c bus and display are both working.

Thanks!  
Don

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**Author:** ![Sean-McG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sean-mcg/32/54677_2.png) [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 14:46 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/2 "2025-04-15T14:46:02Z")

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> [@DonC](#):
>
> [GitHub - tek79/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt at v3](https://github.com/tek79/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/tree/v3)

It doesn't sound like it is installed in the correct place, I would check what you did and uninstall it again.

Did you follow these instructions ?

**Installation**

- Install using npm, then restart Node-RED:

`cd $home`

`cd .node-red`

`npm install tek79/node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt#v3`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DonC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@DonC](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/DonC)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 15:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/3 "2025-04-15T15:42:14Z")

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Yes, followed those instructions exactly. I will try it again.  
Thanks

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**Author:** ![Sean-McG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sean-mcg/32/54677_2.png) [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 16:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/4 "2025-04-15T16:04:05Z")

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Also after restarting NR refresh your browser window and see if the node shows in pallet.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DonC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@DonC](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/DonC)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 16:04 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/5 "2025-04-15T16:04:43Z")

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I uninstalled and re-installed and now it shows up in Node-Red. So that good - BUT, it doesn't do anything. I set the address to 0x27 which I verified from the command line.

I set msg.topic = line1 and msg.payload = this is a test and added a debug. I see the payload msg and topic in the debug but no response from the LCD.

I have tried every node i can find and nothing works! I can't be the only one trying to use a display with node-red.

I guess I will just .exe to a python script and run that in the background to display the data - the issue I want to avoid is using files to pass data from Node-Red sensors to the python script as there will be file open conflicts.

Thanks,  
Don

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sean-McG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sean-mcg/32/54677_2.png) [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 16:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/6 "2025-04-15T16:11:35Z")

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What are you running NR on, is it a Pi5 ? (I understand there are some issues with GPIO)

> [@DonC](#):
>
> I can't be the only one trying to use a display with node-red

Probably not too many connecting screens like this directly to a Pi these days 😉

You could use an ESP to connect the screen, and communicate over MQTT using something like Tasmota. If you go that route then you can use a variety of nice higher resolution LCD touch screens.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DonC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@DonC](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/DonC)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 16:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/7 "2025-04-15T16:13:52Z")

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Oh, I will have to look into that! Thanks for that tip.

I just now got it working - Once I set the bus = 1 instead of 0 I can inject text. I do like your idea though and will now spend the day researching that. I understand the basics of MQQT - the learning continues.

Thank you for your time and ideas!

Don

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sean-McG](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sean-mcg/32/54677_2.png) [@Sean-McG](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Sean-McG)\
**Post date:** [15 April 2025 16:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/8 "2025-04-15T16:21:23Z")

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Lots of info to be found e.g. - [HOWTO using I2C multi display (hardware mode). · arendst/Tasmota · Discussion #13166 · GitHub](https://github.com/arendst/Tasmota/discussions/13166)

However if you want to get with the times 😉 and use a more modem screen then this may be the best option -

> **[HASPmota - Tasmota](https://tasmota.github.io/docs/HASPmota/)**
>
> Documentation (Wiki) for Tasmota

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2025 16:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-install-and-use-node-red-contrib-i2clcd-alt/96585/9 "2025-07-14T16:22:20Z")

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