fabricating back lighting

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lostyankee

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: February 17, 2010

Location: Wisconsin, United States

Posted: July 02, 2010 at 1:56 PM / IP Logged

I have a small liquid crystal display (3/4" x 1.5"0) that I need to back light in a vehicle. Display has to be readable when driving at night.

Any advice is welcome.

No politicians were saved in the making of my movie.

KPierson

Platinum - Posts: 3,527

This member consistently provides reliable information

Joined: April 14, 2005

Location: Ohio, United States

Posted: July 03, 2010 at 10:15 AM / IP Logged

Typically you mount an LED on the side of the display and shine the LED towards the opposite end of the screen. Anything you can do to reflect the light around the edges will probably help.

It may be easier to replace the display with one already backlit or see if there is a backlight retrofit kid available for the display you have.

Kevin Pierson

oldspark

Gold - Posts: 4,913

Joined: November 03, 2008

Location: Australia

Posted: July 07, 2010 at 7:14 PM / IP Logged

Keep in mind that non-backlit versions of LCDs cannot be backlit.

As KP said - do it from the side. (Or above.)

(Do you know how difficult it is to find a backlit LCD voltmeter with only 3 digits (eg, 12.3v) up to 17mm (11/16") display height? 4 digit & 25mm (1") high blue backlit for under $2 (+P&P) etc etc are NO problems...)

lostyankee

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: February 17, 2010

Location: Wisconsin, United States

Posted: July 22, 2010 at 7:11 PM / IP Logged

Thanks.

As it turns out, a mini key holder light solved the problem. Small, cheap & no holes in the dash. Modified it so the gauge & light are combined in a small project box. LED is glued to the LCD side. Looks store bought. I did not have room for a 2.25" dia hole & this cost me almost nothing.

Thanks again.

No politicians were saved in the making of my movie.

oldspark

Gold - Posts: 4,913

Joined: November 03, 2008

Location: Australia

Posted: July 22, 2010 at 7:48 PM / IP Logged

I love a cheap solution!

And that can work well. Sometimes "side" lighting works really well and MUCH better than external lighting. (Actually I always reckon external/top lighting looks crap!)

Thanks for closing,

... and showing how good KP is.

lostyankee

Member - Posts: 10

Joined: February 17, 2010

Location: Wisconsin, United States

Posted: July 22, 2010 at 9:24 PM / IP Logged

Sometimes it's just brain storming or shaking out the dust but when minds work togather good stuff happens. Once a friend needed a rotary guide for a 3/8" ball end rod that had to travel 5", stop & return in the same plane. While we were chewing it over ... a 3/4" drill bit.

Good days to all.

No politicians were saved in the making of my movie.

oldspark

Gold - Posts: 4,913

Joined: November 03, 2008

Location: Australia

Posted: July 23, 2010 at 2:30 AM / IP Logged

x10 on brainstorming. Other forums merely argue & contest.

Brilliant use of the drill! (Assuming the trailing edge was blunted.)

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fabricating back lighting

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