Looking for Tutorials for game boy LED mods/Lights

[nightrnr]

Okay, I've got a dilemma.
I'm trying to use a different front-lit screen (as I'm disappointed with the GBA-SP1's).

I ordered a few of these (to steal the front light from):
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p ... ber=G13752

My problem is that the light is not as easy to hook up as the GBA-SP one. The ribbon cable for the light has 4 pins and they are pretty small (very much like the PHAT DS top screen light, if that helps).
I don't even know what voltage it uses or which pins are positive and negative (so far my experimenting has not been successful).

I found the manual for it, but I can't seem to make heads or tales from it.
http://www.datasheetarchive.com/acx705a ... sheet.html
(it's the "ACX705AKM-7" one, but I think all 3 manuals are the same).

Anyone have some advice. If not I may try to track down "Palmertech" on the Benheck forums, as he recommended the screen in one of his posts.

At worst, I could probably still use the light panel with regular Leds, but I'm pretty sure the light quality would be better if I could get that Sony led strip working.

[ChooChooBot]

I ordered a few of these (to steal the front light from):
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p ... ber=G13752

Well the Spec said Supply voltage VCC1 3.50 to 4.20 V. The SP screen runs around 3v too. I'm not sure on the exact Pins to solder because I don't own one of the screens. I think you should dedicate one to research so you can find it's pinouts. If these work good for you let me know because these seem way cheaper than the SP Screens.

[nightrnr]

Okay, I figured it out:
The frontlight uses 2 leds (surface mount type I think) on each side of the metal strip, which has a diffuser in between (before it even gets to the main diffuser panel).
That's why it has 4 pins, a positive and negative for each LED.

The 2 inside pins are " - " and the 2 outside ones are " + ".

Soldering wires to them is a bit trickier than the SP light. I used one wire for the negative, bridging the 2 middle contacts with solder in the process.
For the positive ones, I used a threaded wire and just split the strands to go on both sides.
It worked, but I kind of ruined the contacts one side Only got one LED to light up). But at least I know how to get it going next time.
Oh, and it looks like 3v does just fine for power, I used a CR2032 to test.

I'm not sure if it's a good replacement for the SP method though. The metal strip in that Sony LCD is a little thicker than the one in the SP, so I don't know how well it will fit in a GBC or other handhelds yet. Plus, it's just more of a pain in arse and I think the ribbon cable is in an odd place by comparison.

I'll keep you posted if I can get it working in a system.

One more thing, I don't know if that site is going to keep those screens at the same price; it says that the sale ended on the 2nd, but at the moment it's still listed at $10.

[ChooChooBot]

Alright cool. Make sure to take some pictures of how you rigged it if you get it working.

[nightrnr]

It's no good.
It is possible to wire it the way I described, but it's a little beyond my skill level and equipment. And even then, the solder points I'm using are just too fragile; any movement and they break off.

I could wire to the LEDs directly, but I may as well use my own LEDs if I do that.

I did throw one of the light panels in my Neo Geo Pocket (which has an SP light, I only replaced the dirty panel), just to see how if it's any better. But it's mostly the same.
The diffuser panel is also shorter than the SP one; it just barely fills the GBC screen and is a hair short on the Neo Geo Pocket.

I may end up cutting the diffuser panel in the GBC, since the Sony one may just fit without disturbing the screw posts (will still have to cut some more though). That way, the glare will be angled better.

Anyways, I don't think anyone should waste their cash on those Sony LCDs, unless they really need a clear diffuser screen.
The price went back up to $20 anyways.

A spare/broken GBA-SP1 light remains the best option.

I'm taking another break from this, but I'll post again if I have any other annoyances or breakthroughs.

[ChooChooBot]

Alright thanks for the info. I'm just gonna stick with my SP screens for a while.