Game Boy Color front light mod

[Overload]

I'm thinking of modding a GBC with a front-lit screen. It seems easiest to take the light from a AGS-001 GBA SP, but I don't have a broken one and am looking to spend as little as possible. The 47 ohm 1/4 watt resistors are dirt cheap, as is a tri-wing screwdriver. I'm not entirely sure what wiring I should use though. I'm also interested to know if I can buy just the front light without tearing an SP apart, or if there's another way to light it, say, with some LEDs.

I'm thinking something like this might work: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/406029

[TheSegaSaturnGuy]

Well I have no clue how you would wire is but I can guarantee you that thw AGS screen is much too big unless it scales it down when you connect is and you would need a custom ribbon cable as well and I am not aware of anyone who makes them. Not even Zerey. Hmm, this is just me thinking out loud but what if you were to get a couple LEDs and wire them to a button cell battery and then to the on/off switch. I am no wiring expert lol. If I find anything online I will drop you a PM.

[Overload]

The AGS-001 screen fits if you remove a plastic wall and put it in sideways, as seen in

The thing that worries me about LEDs is that there will be uneven lighting. In terms of cost and less hassle, the screen I linked to looks like the best option, but the seller even says it's a little cloudy. I might just have to bite the bullet here and gamble 10 bucks on one.

[nightrnr]

Please let me talk you out of using a GBA-SP light. I've done this a few times and was never
really happy with the results

That light screen that you linked might actually work though, if it were lighted from the bottom. Putting the GBA light on its side just makes it hard to see (among other issues like shadow lines).
I can't tell, is it a square light screen or rectangular like the GBA-SP ones?

Here's a link to a guide I used (put the LEDs on the bottom if at all possible):
http://mikejmoffitt.com/wp/?p=70

I say try that light (I may even buy a couple ). And if it comes with protective film, DO NOT remove it until you are permanently placing into the system. Even then, you may get a couple specks of dust in there, but you'll have to live with it; pulling back out to remove anything afterwards will only make it worse.
Also, DO NOT touch any part of the light screen with fingers, as it will leave a grease smudge (no matter how clean your hands are.

--EDIT--
Just saw this on the sale page:
The Panel is NOT very Transparent,please check carefully before ordering!!!
I was assuming there was a protector screen or something that needed removing. I guess it really is that blurry!?!

Let us know how your ventures turn out.

[Overload]

Would this resistor do the trick?

Just picked up 2 of those panels for 13 and change. They don't look all that cloudy, and I like that the wires are already attached.

[nightrnr]

Would this resistor do the trick?

I can't remember exactly what resistor I used (might have been a 1/2 watt, not that it makes a difference in this case), but that seems right. The guide I used also said it can be a bit more or less on the ohm rating.

Re-check my previous post though (threw in an EDIT). It does look like the screen filter is a little blurry. Might work okay for a Game Boy Pocket, but in a GBC it could be a little annoying.

It's quite frustrating, because a proper front-light can be done for a GBC, in theory. But I just don't think the right part and filter screen size/quality exists.

[Overload]

Gah, guess I'll cancel then. I don't have extra money to experiment/gamble with right now. Was hoping to mod a few to sell.

[nightrnr]

I might actually still get a couple for GBP's. I know that you can technically back light them to greater effect, but the process is damn near impossible (for me anyways, I destroyed a GBP screen over it). Front lighting is safe and effective for the B&W games.

For GBC's, if you could somehow cut the diffuser screen of the GBA-panel... then use the LEDs from this one...
Wait...
Oooh, I ordered some Sony front-lit screens once to steal the diffuser panel from and I think they are square. Maybe I could combine the 2?

I was really proud of my (admittedly bad) attempt of the mod with my GBC though. The LED solder job on that one (ribbon cable had non-existent solder pads) was a small miracle. Sup-par attempt or no, it would be a shame to tear it out.

[Overload]

Could one just use any piece of square plastic?

EDIT: According to the comments on that site you linked, the panels from aliexpress are illegally sold nonfinite prototypes, and aren't very clear. Here's hoping they'll let me cancel my order.

Did just order a triwing and 25 resistors. Might end up messing around with some LEDs if I can figure out where to solder them. Throw enough in there and it should be enough to light the screen.

http://nonelectronics.com/

[nightrnr]

Could one just use any piece of square plastic?

EDIT: According to the comments on that site you linked, the panels from aliexpress are illegally sold nonfinite prototypes, and aren't very clear. Here's hoping they'll let me cancel my order.

Did just order a triwing and 25 resistors. Might end up messing around with some LEDs if I can figure out where to solder them. Throw enough in there and it should be enough to light the screen.

http://nonelectronics.com/

No, the diffuser panel is just that, it's a special screen that spreads the light evenly (has small groove lines all over one side of it).
Regular plastic won't work at all, no matter how many LEDs are around it. The light doesn't reach anywhere but the very edges.
Hate to kill your hopes, but trust me, I've tried.

Try the AGS-001 light screen if you must (try to get a system that is beyond fixing except the light screen). But getting it to turn out right is a real crap-shoot for all but the most experienced modders (and even then...). Most likely you'll botch the 1st couple attempts.

Here are results from a mod I did for a forum member (wasn't really happy with that one either; I only charged him parts/shipping):
http://s1118.photobucket.com/user/night ... =slideshow

Those are the best shots I could get of it (although the Zelda Oracle games are pretty unforgiving of rough lighting).

Didn't see the warning about the nonfinite panels. I ordered a couple anyways, as I'm just dying to know what I can do with them. For the price, it's a good experiment. But again, I'm not getting them for a GBC (unless I can make another panel work with it).