Backlighting the Display of an X9303 and DX7 - Page 3

ptflyer · Dec 11, 2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

Also, gwh, Adam came over to the house today and we did the same thing with his TX - he now has a backlighted display on his DX7. I did not take pix of it, but he might post it later.

-Hilgert

What size electroluminescent pannel did he use?
Was it the 5"x1" pannels like the one in the link?
Did he use one or two of them if it was the ones linked to?...

I ask because those pannels look to be a bit long...I figure that you can over lap them to get the right hight of the display, I just wonder if they were too long....or can the lenght be cut?

thanks...I really want to back light my dx7 and this looks to be the trick....if I can only figure out what size electroluminescent to order....

eurotour1 · Dec 14, 2008, 08:42 AM

hey guys,
very interesting thread so far.
are there any news about the "beeper" solution ?

greetings
andy

piano · Dec 14, 2008, 09:39 AM

Just wondering......beside the blue colour EL panel, is it difficult to read the display if I use other colour EL?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

HobbyCNC, what don't you like about the beeper idea? The reason I like the beeper is that really most of the times (IMO) that you need the display backlight on is when you are using trims, the buttons or the roller selecter. However, I do think that you might also want a button (in addition to the beeper) to momentarily turn the backlight on so you can look at the timer.

So, for Version 1.1, I would suggest the following:

Keep the switch (I just like the ability to turn off backlighting altogether).
Have a momentary button to turn on the backlight for a few seconds (to look at timer, etc.).
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 may not get to this anytime soon...for now this works for me.

-Hilgert

piano · Dec 14, 2008, 09:42 AM

The best part of EL was .....you can cut or trim it to any shape and size

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptflyer

What size electroluminescent pannel did he use?
Was it the 5"x1" pannels like the one in the link?
Did he use one or two of them if it was the ones linked to?...

I ask because those pannels look to be a bit long...I figure that you can over lap them to get the right hight of the display, I just wonder if they were too long....or can the lenght be cut?

thanks...I really want to back light my dx7 and this looks to be the trick....if I can only figure out what size electroluminescent to order....

KC · Dec 18, 2008, 12:02 PM

Hilgert, thanks for the great write up and all the links to the parts .The detailed explanation of the process and all the pics were easy to understand. (after re-reading it 3 or 4 times... I'm not that bright.

)

I like the switch. It keeps the mod simple, so more people, even someone like me, can try it.

Using the beep signal for auto on/off is a nice concept, but not useful if its too complicated for the "enthusiast" to pull off. (never the less, details from the poster below would have been nice.)

Thanks again hilgert for a great write up. I don't have the 9303, but I do have the 8103 and after all these years, I suddenly feel like it HAS to have a backlight.

KC

Quote:

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.

eurotour1 · Dec 24, 2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

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

hello hilgert, do you or anyone else know if it's possible to reassamble the reflective tape? (in case removing it will be a fault..

)
i ask cause i rebuilt your solution with one EL-panel. the brightness is okay when it's becoming dark, but in normal roomlight you nearly can't see the blue backlight. that's why i would like to see how this solution would work without the tape..

regards
andy

hilgert · Dec 24, 2008, 08:44 PM

Don't know, but I would guess not. I would not recommend it - that's why I like THIS mod - low risk. I do have a much less expensive LED version I am playing with, and will post results if it turns out good.

-Hilgert

hilgert · Dec 26, 2008, 12:17 AM

LED version is coming along nicely - will be a less expensive mod, requiring less power as well. If It works out well I will make some DIY part kits (or assembled kits possibly) kits for the 9303 and the DX7.

-Hilgert

mrleenagle · Dec 26, 2008, 08:02 AM

i contacted jr japan oreillys in australia and called macgregors in uk and all of them will not supply the lcd from the LE 9xii they also stated that the cost would far outweigh the outcome in the sense that it requires changing out the main board which has the lcd driver on it the cost was enormous
cheers
Lee

FLSTS · Dec 26, 2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hilgert

LED version is coming along nicely - will be a less expensive mod, requiring less power as well. If It works out well I will make some DIY part kits (or assembled kits possibly) kits for the 9303 and the DX7.

-Hilgert

Please keep us posted. I like the idea of LEDs. Do you think the power level needed would let you keep them on when the main switch is on?

hilgert · Dec 26, 2008, 12:58 PM

Yes, the power drain would be way less (from what I am seeing). However, for night flying you might still want a switch (I would).

-Hilgert

superdave01tx · Dec 30, 2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC

I don't have the 9303, but I do have the 8103 and after all these years, I suddenly feel like it HAS to have a backlight.
KC

Oooooo how i know that feeling!!!!!!!

Is Tanners in Dallas open 24 hours? HeHe

Hilgert, Sell me parts now? If your in texas its close nough for me to drive!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DAve

hilgert · Dec 30, 2008, 09:52 PM

I go to Tanners all the time - always leave with some stuff I didn't know I needed before I went in. It's just down the road from Mike's Hobby Shop, another fine place to leave with stuff you did not now you needed...

-Hilgert

DWS6 · Dec 30, 2008, 09:52 PM

personally i would like to unsolder the wires going to the trainer switch, (never use it anyway) and use that to activate the backlight. Just hold it to make adjustment and let go to turn it off. Simple and no mods required to the case.

hilgert · Dec 30, 2008, 09:55 PM

I use the trainer switch for the timer...

I do have another mod that I am working on with an AVR MCU and an opto relay to take the beeper and use it to key the backlight for 10 seconds or so. The beeper goes off when the roller selector or menu buttons are used, or when the digital trims are used.

-Hilgert

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mounting the Sony 5" LCD panel to your 8UAF	Canada Goose	Aerial Photography	4	Dec 11, 2008 08:39 PM
Wanted GOOD Micro Rx in exchange for an IBM Laptop LCD panel	heli_ebook	Aircraft - General - Radio Equipment (FS/W)	0	Oct 24, 2008 07:30 PM
Discussion Seagull LCD Panel, funny audio signal	aeropics	Eagle Tree Systems	0	Aug 25, 2008 07:46 AM
New Product New gyro w/ advanced LCD panel	ricky_p	Radios	0	Jul 22, 2008 01:32 PM
Question Broken LCD panel on a Futaba 9C	zolo	Radios	3	Jun 30, 2008 12:34 PM

Dec 14, 2008, 08:42 AM	#32
eurotour1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: europe, austria Posts: 8	hey guys, very interesting thread so far. are there any news about the "beeper" solution ? greetings andy

Dec 24, 2008, 08:44 PM	#37
hilgert Buyin', Tryin' and Flyin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,264	Don't know, but I would guess not. I would not recommend it - that's why I like THIS mod - low risk. I do have a much less expensive LED version I am playing with, and will post results if it turns out good. -Hilgert

Dec 26, 2008, 12:17 AM	#38
hilgert Buyin', Tryin' and Flyin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,264	LED version is coming along nicely - will be a less expensive mod, requiring less power as well. If It works out well I will make some DIY part kits (or assembled kits possibly) kits for the 9303 and the DX7. -Hilgert

Dec 26, 2008, 08:02 AM	#39
mrleenagle fpv addict Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 305	i contacted jr japan oreillys in australia and called macgregors in uk and all of them will not supply the lcd from the LE 9xii they also stated that the cost would far outweigh the outcome in the sense that it requires changing out the main board which has the lcd driver on it the cost was enormous cheers Lee

Dec 26, 2008, 12:58 PM	#41
hilgert Buyin', Tryin' and Flyin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,264	Yes, the power drain would be way less (from what I am seeing). However, for night flying you might still want a switch (I would). -Hilgert

Dec 30, 2008, 09:52 PM	#43
hilgert Buyin', Tryin' and Flyin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,264	I go to Tanners all the time - always leave with some stuff I didn't know I needed before I went in. It's just down the road from Mike's Hobby Shop, another fine place to leave with stuff you did not now you needed... -Hilgert

Dec 30, 2008, 09:52 PM	#44
DWS6 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2	personally i would like to unsolder the wires going to the trainer switch, (never use it anyway) and use that to activate the backlight. Just hold it to make adjustment and let go to turn it off. Simple and no mods required to the case.

Dec 30, 2008, 09:55 PM	#45
hilgert Buyin', Tryin' and Flyin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 2,264	I use the trainer switch for the timer... I do have another mod that I am working on with an AVR MCU and an opto relay to take the beeper and use it to key the backlight for 10 seconds or so. The beeper goes off when the roller selector or menu buttons are used, or when the digital trims are used. -Hilgert