fabricating back lighting
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=122509
Printed Date: May 06, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Topic: fabricating back lighting
Posted By: lostyankee
Subject: fabricating back lighting
Date Posted: July 02, 2010 at 1:56 PM
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.
Replies:
Posted By: KPierson
Date Posted: July 03, 2010 at 10:15 AM
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
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: July 07, 2010 at 7:14 PM
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...)
Posted By: lostyankee
Date Posted: July 22, 2010 at 7:11 PM
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.
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: July 22, 2010 at 7:48 PM
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.
Posted By: lostyankee
Date Posted: July 22, 2010 at 9:24 PM
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.
Posted By: oldspark
Date Posted: July 23, 2010 at 2:30 AM
x10 on brainstorming. Other forums merely argue & contest.
Brilliant use of the drill! (Assuming the trailing edge was blunted.)
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