Author Topic: Techknowman 24x8 lcd backlight kits available (Read 3891 times)

vibez · « **on:** April 25, 2005, 03:06:32 am »

Got this email today

The price would be $298.00 US
($48.00 X 6) + $10 Shipping
Shipping would be 4-6 weeks after receipt of payment. Do to the fact I have
very little time to work on them

I've asked him to requote for shipping to the uk. Is anyone in the uk interested in getting 1 or 2 so I can make up the minimum order?

Stu_C · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2005, 05:18:23 am »

Hi Vibez,

I'm in the UK and am definately interested. So put me down for one. Cheers

Stu_C · « **Reply #2 on:** April 25, 2005, 08:40:36 am »

actually is this the price for just the backlight kit or the LCD aswell?

vibez · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2005, 09:19:54 am »

just the backlight i'm afraid. It will actually work out costing me more than the lcd did. Although the lcd is pretty worthless to me without a backlight

Stu_C · « **Reply #4 on:** April 26, 2005, 09:35:40 am »

Vibez,
what's the cost for the LCD, backlight and needed cables? Would like to work out how much it's all gonna cost.

Stu

vibez · « **Reply #5 on:** April 26, 2005, 02:49:39 pm »

I got all my stuff off ebay. I was lucky & found a uk seller & got one of these lcd screens

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7507211411
But it didnt come with a driver board, But he had one left that he sold me.

You can buy the lcd from here http://www.pjrc.com/store/mp3_display.html but i'm not sure if this come with a driver board or not.

I think I'm giving up on the backlight kit. I'm going to build my own using the parts here. http://www.stores.ebay.com/theneonshop/plistings/list/all/dept1/index.html

All it involves is cutting to sheet to size then laminating it

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #6 on:** April 26, 2005, 04:37:35 pm »

Quote

I think I'm giving up on the backlight kit. I'm going to build my own using the parts here. http://www.stores.ebay.com/theneonshop/plistings/list/all/dept1/index.html

All it involves is cutting to sheet to size then laminating it

Nice find! Now all that's needed is polarizing film and laminate and we're good to go! Plus I can do the color that I wanted!

vibez · « **Reply #7 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:11:07 pm »

If you are careful, you can simply leave the polarizing film that is already on the LCD in place. The bit the you want to remove is the silver foil backing.

laminators are cheap enough. plus they are good for splash proofing porn

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #8 on:** April 26, 2005, 05:32:41 pm »

Quote from: vibez on April 26, 2005, 05:11:07 pm

If you are careful, you can simply leave the polarizing film that is already on the LCD in place. The bit the you want to remove is the silver foil backing.

laminators are cheap enough. plus they are good for splash proofing porn

LOL, if I laminate my PC I won't be able to use it.

vibez · « **Reply #9 on:** April 26, 2005, 07:12:06 pm »

That is pretty much right. Here are all the full docs related to the process. You will obviously have to power the EL sheet seperatly. I suggest installing a switch for the backlight if you leave your cab switched on for a long time. They last about 3000hrs (125) days. And are sensitive to heat.

http://www.techknowman.com/Kits/LCD/Install/LCD%20INSTALL.html
http://www.cooltronix.com/ebay/diy/
http://www.techknowman.com/Kits/Warranty/Care%20of%20your%20Techknowman%20backlight%20kit.doc

I'm just waiting for my EL sheet to arrive then i'll give it a go. hopefully I wont break it into a million pieces like all my other 'improvements'

Silver · « **Reply #10 on:** April 26, 2005, 10:15:16 pm »

I found installation reasonable straightforward. However, I don't recall there being an easy way to leave the polarizing sheet in there.... but then I wasn't trying too (already had a polarizing sheet in the kit)

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2005, 05:21:43 am »

Quote from: Silver on April 26, 2005, 10:15:16 pm

I found installation reasonable straightforward. However, I don't recall there being an easy way to leave the polarizing sheet in there.... but then I wasn't trying too (already had a polarizing sheet in the kit)

I have a feeling that might be the case. If so, I must not be googling the right term for polarizing film, because the best I could do is $30 for 2 square feet of film, which is way more than needed for this project.

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2005, 07:48:32 am »

Here's the site I found for that price:

http://polarization.com/cgi-bin/polarshop/polarshop.pl

Looks like he has adhesive backed film as well.

vibez · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2005, 07:59:43 am »

BTW, the shipping to the uk for the techknowman kit is still only $10.

I'm fairly sure you can leave the poloizing film in place. I really hope so as it looks really hard to find in the uk at a decent price

vibez · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2005, 02:05:49 pm »

Well my EL foil arrived & I managed to install it easy enough. So long as you are not a barbarian, you can remove the original foil backing without touching the existing polarizing film. I have yet to remove all the glue off the LCD screen. so that is why you can see a few dark patches.

Overall i'm very impressed & its much cheaper than getting the techknowman kits, Unless you dont have a laminator. But they are cheap enough anyway.

Oh & one more confession. I cut the EL foil wrong. Can you see the black blocks at the bottom of the screen? Well it turns out the edges of the Foil dont glow. So when you cut your foil, make sure you cut away as much of the edges as you can. Making sure to leave atleast one back & white section to attatch the wires to

If anyone know something good for removing glue, but won't damage plastic, please let me know!

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #15 on:** May 10, 2005, 07:38:52 am »

Very Nice!

Two questions:

1.)

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #16 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:30:20 am »

Daddy like!

I haven't been following the goings on in this thread so much, but from what I understand, all I really need to mod my LCD is one of these:
Blue kit, Green kit, White kit, Red kit.
Right?

They've got some nice cheap stuff. Maybe I'll pick up one of the neon keyboard mod kits to trick out my sandwich toaster!

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #17 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:41:36 am »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on May 10, 2005, 08:30:20 am

Daddy like!

I haven't been following the goings on in this thread so much, but from what I understand, all I really need to mod my LCD is one of these:
Blue kit, Green kit, White kit, Red kit.
Right?

They've got some nice cheap stuff. Maybe I'll pick up one of the neon keyboard mod kits to trick out my sandwich toaster!

Yep that's the kit. On the toaster, make sure you do the blender first! Afterall, what good is gaming without some Margarita's thrown in!

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #18 on:** May 10, 2005, 08:48:33 am »

Quote from: NinjaEpisode on May 10, 2005, 08:41:36 am

Yep that's the kit. On the toaster, make sure you do the blender first! Afterall, what good is gaming without some Margarita's thrown in!

But I've already pimped my blender with some sweet free-spinning rims

vibez · « **Reply #19 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:09:30 am »

I laminated the Foil as this protects the circuitry on the LCD from the voltages on the EL sheet. You can buy 6" laminators for around

vibez · « **Reply #20 on:** May 10, 2005, 11:43:49 am »

Quote from: JoyMonkey on May 10, 2005, 08:30:20 am

Daddy like!

I haven't been following the goings on in this thread so much, but from what I understand, all I really need to mod my LCD is one of these:
Blue kit, Green kit, White kit, Red kit.
Right?

They've got some nice cheap stuff. Maybe I'll pick up one of the neon keyboard mod kits to trick out my sandwich toaster!

Thats right. Also you'll need a hot roller laminator & some pouches.

JoyMonkey · « **Reply #21 on:** May 10, 2005, 12:15:54 pm »

Could you use transparent adhesive vinyl instead of laminating?

vibez · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2005, 02:02:06 pm »

I should think so. Just make sure to do both side. My replacement EL sheet arrived just now. Hopefully I will have some sizes & pics to put up in an hour. I just need to find something round the house that removes stubbon glue......

vibez · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2005, 04:38:54 pm »

1st picture shows the foil before I cut. 2nd pic shows the foil cut to size with the wire attached.

vibez · « **Reply #24 on:** May 10, 2005, 04:39:33 pm »

This pic shows the foil slid into the lcd screen. I cut the foil to to measure 62mm x 132.

Silver · « **Reply #25 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:00:26 pm »

Hey I like your custom characters! Do you have thoses saved in some form?

maybe we could make a little custom font set with mini pictures.....

vibez · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:10:24 pm »

Here is the ASCII code I used for that display. Line 1 & 7are scrolling.

Code: [Select]

\D60 !*,. 5 5\D5E ..?55.**\@ 0\K040\K1 ! \K3 1.-._.-._.-._.VIDEO WORLD.-._.-._.-._.\K3 0\K2 1

      START GAME = ^
 COIN = HOLD ^ THEN `
 EXIT = HOLD ^ THEN ^^

\K1 ! \K3&1HOLD P1 THEN P1 BUTTON1 TO ADD CREDITS.-._.-._.-._.PRESS BUTTON2 TO BROWSE GAME LISTS.-._.-._.-._.\K3&0\K2&1

Code: [Select]

\D60 !*,. 5 5&

Code: [Select]

\D5E ..?55.**
Are the commands that define the 2 custom characters I created. ^ & ' are the characters I use to call the custom ones

You can use this link to create your own characters
http://www.btinternet.com/~e2one/lcd/graphics_character_definer.htm
It would be a good idea if we had a collection of custom characters. That 1P start character was all I could come up with. If want to design anymore & get stuck on how it works. Just let me know

I tried creating a pacman one but the 5*8 blocks make it look a little funny.

Put this at the start of the text file

Code: [Select]

\D40 ./>8>?.
(This line has a trailing space - Make sure to include it or it wont work)

Use the @ charcater to call it

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:42:22 pm »

Impressive! Can't wait for my second sheet to come in. I, like you, kinda messed up my first sheet and also didn't laminate it. I'll definately be laminating the second round.

As far as cleaning the screen. Not sure how durable yours seems to be, but mine, I was able to take a flat razor blade to with no scratching issues, as long as you keep it flat against the film. I then used a combination of rubbing alcohol and glass cleaner with ammonia.

vibez · « **Reply #28 on:** May 10, 2005, 05:53:23 pm »

I was thinking of using a flat blade, but didnt want to end up scratching the polorizing film. In the end I used some glass cleaner/ white spirits/ nail polish remover etc..... I only managed to remove a sqaure inch of the glue, but it did get rid of the stickness from it. The polorizing films hides the difference between the glued/non-glued part of the screen fairly well. Its only noticable if you are looking for it. But being a perfectionist.....If I can find anything with ammonia in it, I might give it another go.

Be sure to post some pics when you have yours installed

vibez · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2005, 04:53:18 am »

Actually I've had a re-think about you using some adhesive vinyl.

I don't this will be ideal. It might 'go soft' if some heat builds up. Laminate withstands quite a lot of heat

Stu_C · « **Reply #30 on:** May 11, 2005, 11:31:28 am »

Vibez,

Have you thought about making and selling these? I would be interested in the completed product, but have no electronic skills what so ever. Maybe some other people may be interested?

vibez · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2005, 11:46:05 am »

I have no electrical knowlage either

Only what I read up on a few related sites. What is it you are after? Just the backlight, or the LCD Screen + Backlight?

Stu_C · « **Reply #32 on:** May 12, 2005, 08:29:20 am »

Hi Vibez,

What would be cool is basically a kit that comes with all the cables LCD, backlight and all I have to do is mount it

vibez · « **Reply #33 on:** May 12, 2005, 09:06:04 am »

Sorry but I cant get hold of enough parts to do such a thing. The lcds are hard to find. Even if you buy direct from the maker, they still need flashing with firmware. Ebay is the only source I have found so far. I had to get someone else to build me the interface for connecting the lcd to a serial port. The backlights are easy enough to do. All the info about the backlight is contained in this thread if you need it.

The only thing I can suggest is keeping an eye out on ebay for the lcds. Some will already have the serial interface connected. Then its only a case of plugging it into a serial port & giving it some juice.

If you find one on ebay & need some help, just ask

Stu_C · « **Reply #34 on:** May 12, 2005, 11:30:46 am »

Thanks Vibez

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #35 on:** May 12, 2005, 12:39:58 pm »

Stu_C you're looking for this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=50915&item=7514867744 This one already has the db9 connector.

Or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26206&item=7514867986 This one also already has the db9 connector.

Then you need the EL Foil:

Do a search on ebay for "EL Neon Foil DIY"

Finally you'll need to laminate the foil once you've got it cut properly.

lustreking · « **Reply #36 on:** May 12, 2005, 03:54:22 pm »

Quote from: NinjaEpisode on May 12, 2005, 12:39:58 pm

Or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26206&item=7514867986

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #37 on:** May 20, 2005, 07:58:34 am »

Well it turns out with mine, I'm going to need polarizing film. Without it, everything is extremely dim, and nearly impossible to see. Bad part is, I can't seem to find a place that sells anything less than a 2 ft x 19" sheet for a decent price. I hate to spend $30 bucks plus shipping on such a large piece when all I need is less than 2 1/2 " x 5".

vibez · « **Reply #38 on:** May 21, 2005, 04:46:00 pm »

That really sux. What is dim? Do you mean the backlight is dim, or is the backlight too bright, causing the letters to look too light?

Are you sure you didnt take the original polorizing film off? Its glued to the silver foil & not very noticable. You need to fiddle about a bit, trying to slip the razor blade between the foil & polorizing film. If you have managed to do it correctly. The glass should look a smokey grey.

NinjaEpisode · « **Reply #39 on:** May 21, 2005, 07:39:06 pm »

Backlight seems to bright. As far as I can tell, the film is still in place. Could be that I don't have the contacts lined up right. The glass does look smokey grey. I found a place that'll sell me a small piece of polarizing film, so I'll try that and see.


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