Converting an old AirPanel to LED Backlighting
7:06 PM, January 4th, 2010Anyway, the backlight inverter recently died. It was a specialty part for a rare screen, so the chance of finding a replacement inverter was slim to nil. I decided to go with LED backlighting.
First, I tried a home-made rig of 6 LEDs wired in series:
But this resulted in a really, really dim screen with noticeable "hot spots" where the LEDs were.
So, I perused eBay and found a company selling a 24-LED strip, running on 12v, for $7. I ordered it, and although it took a month to arrive, it turned out to be just the right part. I mounted it into the case of the AirPanel:
Since it takes 12v, I used a 7812 regulator to turn the 19+ V the panel gets in, into regulated 12 volts:
And heatshrinked the connectors to keep them secure:
The final project still doesn't look quite as good as the original backlight did, but at least this one will last quite some time now!
A good solution to this problem, I think.
Comments
Nice fix, hope the regulator doesn't get too hot.
Perhaps if you frosted the leds with some sandpaper you might reduce the hot spots but after all, the screen is only used for a quick glance.
Awesome way to fix the screen! Just wondering why that close door button has appeared? Does it do that when the door is open?
Hi Tom,
Yeah, it does. It's part of my new motorized door, which I haven't yet documented on the site.
-av
Awesome! I would love a motorized door! I would love it you documented it, I might go down to my local electronics store and try to build one!
Do you still have a link to the ebay auction where you got it? I'm looking into a similar project.
Hi,
Just search for "LED Strip" on eBay. There's tons.