diff --git a/docs/lcdproc-user/drivers/hd44780.docbook b/docs/lcdproc-user/drivers/hd44780.docbook
index 324a82a..721e5fa 100644
--- a/docs/lcdproc-user/drivers/hd44780.docbook
+++ b/docs/lcdproc-user/drivers/hd44780.docbook
@@ -2516,6 +2516,61 @@ Size=40x2
 DelayBus=false
 DelayMult=1
 Keypad=no
+#i2c_line_RS=0x10
+#i2c_line_RW=0x20
+#i2c_line_EN=0x40
+#i2c_line_BL=0x80
+#i2c_line_D4=0x01
+#i2c_line_D5=0x02
+#i2c_line_D6=0x04
+#i2c_line_D7=0x08
+# BacklightInvert=yes
+# The Backlight Invert is used if a 0 turns the backlight on, and 1 turns it off, i.e. npn transistor
+]]>
+</screen>
+</example>
+
+<para>
+If your port expander has different wiring you can re-assign the pins in the config file
+</para>
+
+<example id="hd44780-i2c-config.example alternative wiring">
+<title>HD44780: Configuration for I<superscript>2</superscript>C with port expander 
+Alternative Wiring</title>
+<screen>
+<![CDATA[
+-   PCF8574AP: P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7
+-              |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
+-   HD44780:   RS RW EN BL D4 D5 D6 D7
+]]>
+</screen>
+</example>
+
+<example id="hd44780-i2c-config.example alternative config">
+<title>HD44780: Configuration for I<superscript>2</superscript>C with port expander
+alternative config</title>
+<screen>
+<![CDATA[
+[HD44780]
+ConnectionType=i2c
+Device=/dev/i2c-0
+Port=0x20
+Size=40x2
+DelayBus=false
+DelayMult=1
+Keypad=no
+i2c_line_RS=0x01
+i2c_line_RW=0x02
+i2c_line_EN=0x04
+i2c_line_BL=0x80
+i2c_line_D4=0x10
+i2c_line_D5=0x20
+i2c_line_D6=0x40
+i2c_line_D7=0x80
+Backlight=yes
+BacklightInvert=yes
+#The Backlight Invert is used if a 0 turns the backlight on, and 1 turns it off, 
+i.e. npn transistor
 ]]>
 </screen>
 </example>
diff --git a/server/drivers/hd44780-i2c.c b/server/drivers/hd44780-i2c.c
index 0a5e45e..8f19694 100644
--- a/server/drivers/hd44780-i2c.c
+++ b/server/drivers/hd44780-i2c.c
@@ -13,17 +13,38 @@
  *		  1997 Matthias Prinke <m.prinke@trashcan.mcnet.de>
  *
  * The connections are:
- * PCF8574AP	  LCD
- * P0 (4)	  D4 (11)
- * P1 (5)	  D5 (12)
- * P2 (6)	  D6 (13)
- * P3 (7)	  D7 (14)
- * P4 (9)	  RS (4)
- * P5 (10)	  RW (5)
- * P6 (11)	  EN (6)
+ * PCF8574AP  Bit	LCD
+ * P0 (4)	  0x01  D4 (11)
+ * P1 (5)	  0x02  D5 (12)
+ * P2 (6)	  0x04  D6 (13)
+ * P3 (7)	  0x08  D7 (14)
+ * P4 (9)	  0x10  RS (4)
+ * P5 (10)	  0x20  RW (5)
+ * P6 (11)	  0x40  EN (6)
+ * P7 (12)	  0x80  /backlight (optional, active-low)
  *
- * Backlight
- * P7 (12)	  /backlight (optional, active-low)
+ * Configuration:
+ \verbatim
+   alternative wiring example:
+   PCF8574AP: P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7
+              |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
+   HD44780:   RS RW EN BL D4 D5 D6 D7
+   
+   in LCDd.conf we then need to define
+    i2c_line_RS=0x01
+    i2c_line_RW=0x02
+    i2c_line_EN=0x04
+    i2c_line_BL=0x80
+    i2c_line_D4=0x10
+    i2c_line_D5=0x20
+    i2c_line_D6=0x40
+    i2c_line_D7=0x80
+    Backlight=yes
+    BacklightInvert=yes
+
+	The Backlight Invert is used if a 0 turns the backlight on, and 1 turns it off, i.e. npn transistor
+\endverbatim
+
  *
  * Configuration:
  * device=/dev/i2c-0   # the device file of the i2c bus
@@ -89,6 +110,11 @@ void i2c_HD44780_close(PrivateData *p);
 #define RW	0x20
 #define EN	0x40
 #define BL	0x80
+#define D4	0x01
+#define D5	0x02
+#define D6	0x04
+#define D7	0x08
+#define BL_INVERT  0
 // note that the above bits are all meant for the data port of PCF8574
 
 #define I2C_ADDR_MASK 0x7f
@@ -145,14 +171,34 @@ hd_init_i2c(Driver *drvthis)
 	PrivateData *p = (PrivateData*) drvthis->private_data;
 	HD44780_functions *hd44780_functions = p->hd44780_functions;
 
-	int enableLines = EN;
-	char device[256] = DEFAULT_DEVICE;
+	p->i2c_backlight_invert = drvthis->config_get_bool(drvthis->name, "BacklightInvert", 0, BL_INVERT);
+	p->i2c_line_RS = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_RS", 0, RS);
+	p->i2c_line_RW = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_RW", 0, RW);
+	p->i2c_line_EN = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_EN", 0, EN);
+	p->i2c_line_BL = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_BL", 0, BL);
+	p->i2c_line_D4 = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_D4", 0, D4);
+	p->i2c_line_D5 = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_D5", 0, D5);
+	p->i2c_line_D6 = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_D6", 0, D6);
+	p->i2c_line_D7 = drvthis->config_get_int(drvthis->name, "i2c_line_D7", 0, D7);
+	
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Init using D4 and D5, and or'd lines, invert", p->i2c_line_RS);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin RS mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_RS);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin RW mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_RW);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin EN mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_EN);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin BL mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_BL);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin D4 mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_D4);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin D5 mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_D5);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin D6 mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_D6);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Pin D7 mapped to 0x%02X", p->i2c_line_D7);
+	report(RPT_INFO, "HD44780: I2C: Invert Backlight %d", p->i2c_backlight_invert);
+	
+    char device[256] = DEFAULT_DEVICE;
 #ifdef HAVE_DEV_IICBUS_IIC_H
 	struct iiccmd cmd;
 	bzero(&cmd, sizeof(cmd));
 #endif
 
-	p->backlight_bit = BL;
+	p->backlight_bit = p->i2c_line_BL;
 
 	/* READ CONFIG FILE */
 
@@ -209,44 +255,49 @@ hd_init_i2c(Driver *drvthis)
 
 	// powerup the lcd now
 	/* We'll now send 0x03 a couple of times,
-	 * which is in fact (FUNCSET | IF_8BIT) >> 4 */
-	i2c_out(p, 0x03);
+	 * which is in fact (FUNCSET | IF_8BIT) >> 4
+	 */
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
 
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 15000);
 
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 5000);
 
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 100);
 
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, 0x03);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D4 | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 100);
 
 	// now in 8-bit mode...  set 4-bit mode
-	i2c_out(p, 0x02);
+	/*
+	OLD   (FUNCSET | IF_4BIT) >> 4 0x02
+	ALT   (FUNCSET | IF_4BIT)      0x20
+	*/
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
 
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | 0x02);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | p->i2c_line_D5);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, 0x02);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_D5);
 	hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 100);
 
 	// Set up two-line, small character (5x8) mode
@@ -279,23 +330,28 @@ i2c_HD44780_close(PrivateData *p) {
 void
 i2c_HD44780_senddata(PrivateData *p, unsigned char displayID, unsigned char flags, unsigned char ch)
 {
-	unsigned char enableLines = 0, portControl = 0;
-	unsigned char h = (ch >> 4) & 0x0f;     // high and low nibbles
-	unsigned char l = ch & 0x0f;
-
+	unsigned char portControl = 0;
+	unsigned char h=0;
+	unsigned char l=0;
+	if( ch & 0x80 ) h |= p->i2c_line_D7;
+	if( ch & 0x40 ) h |= p->i2c_line_D6;
+	if( ch & 0x20 ) h |= p->i2c_line_D5;
+	if( ch & 0x10 ) h |= p->i2c_line_D4;
+	if( ch & 0x08 ) l |= p->i2c_line_D7;
+	if( ch & 0x04 ) l |= p->i2c_line_D6;
+	if( ch & 0x02 ) l |= p->i2c_line_D5;
+	if( ch & 0x01 ) l |= p->i2c_line_D4;
 	if (flags == RS_INSTR)
 		portControl = 0;
 	else //if (flags == RS_DATA)
-		portControl = RS;
+		portControl = p->i2c_line_RS;
 
 	portControl |= p->backlight_bit;
 
-	enableLines = EN;
-
 	i2c_out(p, portControl | h);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		p->hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | portControl | h);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | portControl | h);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		p->hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
 	i2c_out(p, portControl | h);
@@ -303,7 +359,7 @@ i2c_HD44780_senddata(PrivateData *p, unsigned char displayID, unsigned char flag
 	i2c_out(p, portControl | l);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		p->hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
-	i2c_out(p, enableLines | portControl | l);
+	i2c_out(p, p->i2c_line_EN | portControl | l);
 	if (p->delayBus)
 		p->hd44780_functions->uPause(p, 1);
 	i2c_out(p, portControl | l);
@@ -317,7 +373,9 @@ i2c_HD44780_senddata(PrivateData *p, unsigned char displayID, unsigned char flag
  */
 void i2c_HD44780_backlight(PrivateData *p, unsigned char state)
 {
-	p->backlight_bit = ((!p->have_backlight||state) ? 0 : BL);
-
+	if ( p->i2c_backlight_invert == 0 )
+		p->backlight_bit = ((!p->have_backlight||state) ? 0 : p->i2c_line_BL);
+	else // Inverted backlight - npn transistor
+		p->backlight_bit = ((p->have_backlight && state) ? p->i2c_line_BL : 0);
 	i2c_out(p, p->backlight_bit);
 }
diff --git a/server/drivers/hd44780-low.h b/server/drivers/hd44780-low.h
index 47acf45..8b7bba6 100644
--- a/server/drivers/hd44780-low.h
+++ b/server/drivers/hd44780-low.h
@@ -155,6 +155,21 @@ typedef struct hd44780_private_data {
 	int ftdi_line_backlight;
 #endif
 
+#ifdef HAVE_I2C
+	/* libi2c-based connection types */
+	
+	int i2c_backlight_invert;
+	int i2c_line_RS;
+	int i2c_line_RW;
+	int i2c_line_EN;
+	int i2c_line_BL;
+	int i2c_line_D4;
+	int i2c_line_D5;
+	int i2c_line_D6;
+	int i2c_line_D7;
+
+#endif
+
 #ifdef WITH_ETHLCD
 	int sock;		/**< socket for TCP devices */
 #endif