Discussion Backlighting the Display of an X9303 and DX7

[hilgert]

HobbyCNC, I took it that way - no harm, no foul.

Actually, you gave me an idea. What if I build a circuit that would behave as follows:

• Install a normally open momentary push button.
• When the button is pushed for less than 1 second the backlight comes on for X seconds.
• When the button is pushed (for less than 1 second) again the backlight goes off.
• When the button is held down for longer than 1 second the backlight stays on until it is pushed again momentarily, at which point it turns off.
• When the button is pushed and held down for longer than 5 seconds (or whatever) it will "program" the the value of X to be 5 seconds or as long as the button is held down (so holding it down for 17 seconds would program X for 17 seconds).

Thoughts?

-Hilgert

[HobbyCNC]

Originally Posted by hilgert

HobbyCNC, I took it that way - no harm, no foul.

Actually, you gave me an idea. What if I build a circuit that would behave as follows:

• Install a normally open momentary push button.
• When the button is pushed for less than 1 second the backlight comes on for X seconds.
• When the button is pushed (for less than 1 second) again the backlight goes off.
• When the button is held down for longer than 1 second the backlight stays on until it is pushed again momentarily, at which point it turns off.
• When the button is pushed and held down for longer than 5 seconds (or whatever) it will "program" the the value of X to be 5 seconds or as long as the button is held down (so holding it down for 17 seconds would program X for 17 seconds).

Thoughts?

-Hilgert

Hilgert,
A grand slam home run! A programmable X duration by simply holding down the button for the desired length of time. Would "brilliant" be too much of a pun?

Count me in!

Dave

[hilgert]

"Brilliant" would be to figure out how to do it with *no* buttons!!! Other than having it on all the time, and keyed to the beeper (which of course YOU don't like ) then we might have to live with ONE button.

-Hilgert

[bl8zn]

Have the backlight come on for a few seconds (5 or 10?) when the beeper goes off - this will happen when trims are used, roller selector is used or the enter/list buttons are used, etc.

I love this idea...it will turn on everytime you need it to. I would even have it like this with no switches at all.

[gjr.]

Just curious as to using the backlit screen from the European special version of the 9Xll screen. Did you have any information on how hard it would be to use it? Any source for parts?
Maybe MacMan can add some input.

[jh2rc97]

Does anyone know where to get replacement reflective tape for the back of the LCD module?

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by jh2rc97

Does anyone know where to get replacement reflective tape for the back of the LCD module?

I almost hate to ask...but why would you need replacement tape? You might be able to do the backlight mod without the tape, but the display will be *really* bright.

-Hilgert

[pmackenzie]

The EL panels linked to are described as green, but your picture shows a nice blue glow.

Is that just the way it works out?

Nice job BTW.

If I do this I will definitely try for the "beeper" solution.
I don't want no stinckin' switches

Pat MacKenzie

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by pmackenzie

The EL panels linked to are described as green, but your picture shows a nice blue glow.

Is that just the way it works out?

Nice job BTW.

If I do this I will definitely try for the "beeper" solution.
I don't want no stinckin' switches

Pat MacKenzie

The panels say they are green, and do look at bit green, but once installed the effect is a blend of green and blue (so, that would be "glue", right?). The panels are actually VERY bright, so that's what prompted me to try them without removing the reflective backing. I'm glad I did for two reasons. First, I was hesitant to "take the plunge" and remove the backing. Second, while it would have likley worked, it would have been TOO bright for my purposes (selecting models, making programming changes, watching battery voltage and watching the timer, all during night flying).

You will still want the swich - the EL panels suck a lot of juice, so they only need to be on during sub-optimal lighting conditions. However, when I program my first batch I will likely have a fixed timer option (any thoughts on the value) for "on" time when the beeper goes off (I am thinking 10 seconds would be plenty). Or, do you think I even need a switch if I have a timer? I sort of like the ability to completely disable the backlighting when not needed.

I just got my shipment from Digikey on Friday with my parts for this circuit. If I get bored this week while on conference calls I might have a prototype by next weekend (so, expect a prototype by next weekend...).

-Hilgert

[village_idiot]

Why not LED edge lighting?

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by village_idiot

Why not LED edge lighting?

Got too many bright spots from behind, and edge lighting did not work too well in my experiments. I will be experitmenting with this again over the next few weeks - trying to come up with an inexpensive and easy-to-install retrofit kit. I do have another idea for using LEDs that I need to play with. The EL panels work very nicely, and provide very even lighting unlike LEDs, but they are for the more experienced folks.

-Hilgert

[bl8zn]

You will still want the swich - the EL panels suck a lot of juice, so they only need to be on during sub-optimal lighting conditions. However, when I program my first batch I will likely have a fixed timer option (any thoughts on the value) for "on" time when the beeper goes off (I am thinking 10 seconds would be plenty). Or, do you think I even need a switch if I have a timer? I sort of like the ability to completely disable the backlighting when not needed.

I can't wait to see how this works out. I would definitely be interested in this. If you're looking for input this is how I see it.

For those that dont want to modify the Tx for a switch the timer idea would be the only other "ideal" solution. I just purchased my X9303 so being able to put the Tx to its original state is very important just in case I would have to send it in. I know some internal mod would be done but drilling the case for a switch would be way to obvious that the tx was modified.

Also I would not be worried about draining the battery quickly. One is not always going through menus and adjusting every flight. Routinely it would turn on twice (20 seconds if you use a 10 sec timer)...once when turning on the Tx and another when your flight timer goes off....actually add another 10 sec for when you turn on the timer. So 30 seconds. Not to bad and I run a lipo so no big deal for me.

I would think a switch would be optional anyway for those doing the mod...add it or not.

Looking foward to see what you come up with...

[starmoon007]

I've made a cicuit to automaticly control backlit on or off.

Basic therory is using beep signal to toggle the backlit. and dely certain time to off.

It's every easy for ele. engneers.

[hilgert]

Originally Posted by starmoon007

I've made a cicuit to automaticly control backlit on or off.

Basic therory is using beep signal to toggle the backlit. and dely certain time to off.

It's every easy for ele. engneers.

That what I was working on using an ATTiny13 MCU and a OCMOS FET relay (optical relay) - NEC part PS710B. I never put it in [yet] as I don't really need it, but I was going to at some point "just becuse".

Could you post your design, and code if you used an MCU? I wanted to use an MCU so I could do some other things as well in the future.

-Hilgert

[MartinT]

Looking forward to your progress, as I have been searcheing the net to backlight my DX6i !

Thanks for all the effort you (have) put into this!

regards,
Martin