LCD Backlight Upgrade

**migel628** · 07-14-2005, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

good question.

For cost i would stick with CCFLs running off a nice big 12V multitube inverter. You can set them back a bit in a nice gloss white light box (use white ABS to line the box - you can get it from any model shop) and I would probably use a slightly narrowing box with sloped sides. The depth would reduce the likelyhood of nright spots but do not make it more than an inch or two.

For bling i would use either Osram Golden dragon LEDs or a few Luxeon stars with a nice bit of depth. the Golden dragons should allow you to get rid of the diffusers (but not the lenses).

I would also be tempted to keep any original side lit/light guide setup and move it back and then place some extra tubes between it and the LCD.

So the White ABS Plastic box would essentially act as the diffuser...Or am I way off base?

**jcdillin** · 07-15-2005, 05:32 AM

Originally Posted by migel628

So the White ABS Plastic box would essentially act as the diffuser...Or am I way off base?

The white box just gives an area that the light can bounce around in. You still need to have diffusers between the light source and the back of the LCD

**Scouse Monkey** · 07-15-2005, 05:47 AM

what he said. YOu would think a shiny chrome/mirrored box would be best but they all use white - probably to stop any discolouration/splitting of the light from refraction etc.

**inCar** · 07-15-2005, 11:40 AM

Got my Prolight 1 watters today, from the place I mentioned in my previous post. Paid for 10 but got a pack of 12 and fast service to! I do plan to use more than 10 LED's but ordered 10 first to see how it goes.
I'm going to use a machined aluminium block as my rear light housing. But first I need to determine the locations of the LED's and the depth of housing I will need. Main concern for me at the moment is making sure im not going to get any bright spots.

**Scouse Monkey** · 07-15-2005, 11:44 AM

What screen are you using? Can you get some pics of the light from the LEDs though a piece of diffuser ASAP as i would really like to see.

**inCar** · 07-15-2005, 11:53 AM

I'm planning to do this modification to a Lilliput screen, need a suitable power supply to get them powered up though, got the weekend to myself though so should get something hooked up shortly.

**Scouse Monkey** · 07-15-2005, 12:00 PM

I just got one of these for testing LEDs out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ME:B:EOAB:UK:6

Did you get prolights with a metal backing?

Is your screen moulded in so you can drop the back down?

**inCar** · 07-15-2005, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

I just got one of these for testing LEDs out: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ME:B:EOAB:UK:6

Did you get prolights with a metal backing?

Is your screen moulded in so you can drop the back down?

Hmm that PSU looks handy, gonna pop over to Maplins tomorrow see if I can sort something out for testing (knock something up with a 555). The Prolites have a metal backing so they can be directly mounted with Arctic Silver Epoxy to my proposed housing.

Screen is not moulded into car, so either the standard case is going to be ditched for a newer custom one, or its going to spurt a growth at the back!

**Scouse Monkey** · 07-15-2005, 12:38 PM

I am concerned with what you are going to do with the LCD controllers (not the VGA controller) as it is joined with VERY VERY fragile ribbon cables fo the bottom of the LCD.

**inCar** · 07-15-2005, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Scouse Monkey

I am concerned with what you are going to do with the LCD controllers (not the VGA controller) as it is joined with VERY VERY fragile ribbon cables fo the bottom of the LCD.

Yeah, I noticed the cable was a little touchy last time I had the screen assy apart. TBH I need to experiment to see the sort of depth needed for these LED's so I can determine the spacing and the size of the housing. Once this is sorted I can worry about the LCD PCB and ribbon cable placement after.