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Here are some simple instructions on how to replace a burnt out LCD backlight with a new working one to bring your LCD back to life. Inevitably, every LCD eventually goes dark, but the process to bring it back to working order is not very hard. As long as you are careful, it can be done successfully and without too much drama. Generally this is a very cheap repair, usually only around $10-20.
This instructable will be performed on a laptop LCD from an old Zenith Data Systems computer. I tried to make this instructable pretty basic and not extremely detailed because every LCD screen is different. Your LCD will be different from mine (how its held together, the number of CCFL's, etc) but the concepts will remain the same. Feel free to send me any questions you might have, and I'll try to help you out.
Materials:
Replacement CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube)
Tools:
Small Phillips Screwdrivers
Torx Screwdrivers
Electrical Tape / Soldering Iron
To see higher resolution images of these steps, visit my Flickr page:
www.flickr.com/photos/48834519@N05/sets/72157623607796401/
This instructable will be performed on a laptop LCD from an old Zenith Data Systems computer. I tried to make this instructable pretty basic and not extremely detailed because every LCD screen is different. Your LCD will be different from mine (how its held together, the number of CCFL's, etc) but the concepts will remain the same. Feel free to send me any questions you might have, and I'll try to help you out.
Materials:
Replacement CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Tube)
Tools:
Small Phillips Screwdrivers
Torx Screwdrivers
Electrical Tape / Soldering Iron
To see higher resolution images of these steps, visit my Flickr page:
www.flickr.com/photos/48834519@N05/sets/72157623607796401/
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Signing UpStep 1Disassembling the LCD Housing
To get the the LCD screen and the backlight inside, you must first disassemble the LCD housing; this is different depending on whether it is an external monitor, or built into a laptop. But first before disassembling the housing, DISCONNECT THE POWER!
EXTERNAL LCD MONITOR: Usually to get inside of an external monitor, you will have to simply take out all the screws on the back of the display and pull it apart. Pretty simple.
LAPTOP LCD (Shown): This can be a little more frustrating at times, but not impossible. First open up the laptop and locate all of the screws (sometimes these can be hiding under rubber feet). After removing the screws, many times you will also need to use a flat head screwdriver to pry the housing open little by little. Be gentle,, but don't be afraid to use a little force.
After getting the back of housing off the computer, disconnect the LCD from the inverter.
Now completely detach the LCD from the housing by removing the remaining screws.
EXTERNAL LCD MONITOR: Usually to get inside of an external monitor, you will have to simply take out all the screws on the back of the display and pull it apart. Pretty simple.
LAPTOP LCD (Shown): This can be a little more frustrating at times, but not impossible. First open up the laptop and locate all of the screws (sometimes these can be hiding under rubber feet). After removing the screws, many times you will also need to use a flat head screwdriver to pry the housing open little by little. Be gentle,, but don't be afraid to use a little force.
After getting the back of housing off the computer, disconnect the LCD from the inverter.
Now completely detach the LCD from the housing by removing the remaining screws.
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Yeah, you could definitely hook up an LED strip to do the backlighting....many TVs are doing that nowadays.
Can't give you a definite answer on connecting it to power however. I would imagine it would depend on what exactly you are using as far as the LEDs are concerned.... I'm sure if you look hard enough for a product online you could find something that would work
a well written instructable, and we mustnt ever forget about the safe handling of ccfls, they contain mercury and if they break, you can get sick. you wont die, but you can get sick.
Can you tell me where to get ccfl tubes from, as I have a use for them in a project I'm making.
Thanks
It can be a little more complicated with out spares, but usually it's more common for the inverter board fail first. It's annoying because both can have similar symptoms.
If the LCD is on and running (still dark) but you can still see a faint image, then its either the inverter or bulb. If you can't see any faint image at all, or if weird things are going on in the screen (lines, craziness) then I would check to make sure all your connections are tight (especially on a laptop).
However the symptoms listed below usually point to the bulb being the issue:
1. The screen starts off working fine, but then it starts flickering and shuts off, but at the same time you see a faint image (shine a flashlight)
2. The screen lights up for a few seconds then shuts off (external output still works perfectly)
3. The screen works but has a red or pink hue to it (external output still works perfectly)
I hope some of that helps! Don't hesitate to ask more questions!
One option I would do if I was in your situation would be to just stop playing with the current bulb and inverter, and simply buy a new cold cathode bulb attached to its own independent inverter. Install this setup in your monitor and basically you would just flip the switch on the new inverter, and turn on your monitor and you would be all set.
I just saw one the other day for $10....i'll send you the link when i find it!
inventgeek.com/Projects/BacklightFix/Page1.aspx
Here's a couple sites you could check out for parts:
www.xoxide.com/coldcathodes.html
www.lcdparts.net/ccfl.aspx
Let me know how things go, I'd be interested to hear what you end up doing to fix it!