DIY Universal screen Backlight kit: DX3S, DX3R, and others!!!

[losikid]

After about a month i have finally decided on a kit that will enable you to backlight your radio, or other lcd screens that need a backlight. I will be including a EL driver in my kit, which has many advantages from an inverter like found in other kits. My kit will also include all the parts needed, the driver, EL, wiring harness, switches, voltage regulators, plugs, and more. I have mostly base it around the Spektrum DX3S, which should be similiar to the other spektrum ground radios. Although with little work the kit can easily be used for other applications. Similiar kits for other radios i have seen are upwards near $100, so i thought it was a killer deal to offer these so cheap.

ATTENTION: THIS MODIFICATION WILL VOID YOUR RADIO'S WARRANTY, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE IN ANY WAY FOR ANY DAMAGES DONE TO YOUR RADIO WHETHER CAUSED BY THE INSTALLER(YOU) OR BY MY KIT

Standard Features:
-Operates off 4 AA's (3.3-6V)
-Blue EL panel (can support up to a screen size of 3.18"x1.85")
-Require 2 solder joints,
-Pre-built wire harness
-Small Toggle switch to turn off and on is included, but it will need to be spliced in if you want to use it (2 more solder joints
-Near silent operation
-30ma power draw
-Installation instructions for a DX3S, 3r, react coming soon , and basic instructions for other applications
-Very compact size

Optional features:
-Red and green Backlight colors, $10 for each additional el
-Brightness adjuster, $10 (solder free)
-Solder free install harness, $5
-Switch built into harness, Free, but needs to be requested

Advantages over traditional el backlighting w/ inverter
-Near silent, inverters are loud and annoying
-Small and compact, Inverters are usually huge, smaller ones are the size of a match box, and grow in size from there,
-Longer lifespan, typical el inverter puts out out 1000-4000 hz because they are designed to run el wires not panels. The driver included has been frequency matched with the included el to maximize life and power draw.
-Very low power consumption, the included driver maximizes power efficiency
-Not too bright of a screen

Disadvantages over a traditional el backlighting kit
-None i can think of, unless you like listing to high pitched humming and less runtime.

Tech specs for you electric gurus

-Driver dimensions less than 1"x1"x.25" (lxwxh)
-EL Dimensions 3.18"x1.85"
-Power consumption 30-40 ma
-Input power 3.3-6v
-Operates EL at around 400hz
-Driver can handle a EL up to 6 square inches
-Utilizes dual power sources. Primary source powers the light while a secondary source can be used as a "switch" to turn the unit on/off. Ideal if you're using one of the processor pins, which are meant for very low current operation, to control the driver. The switch draws than 0.2mA!


Standard kit $35+Shipping*
-Driver
-Blue EL
-Wire harness
-On/off Toggle Switch
-In-depth installation instructions for DX3S and 2s, and basic installation instructions for 3r react, other radios



Here is a rough copy of the instructions, i have a final one i will give the buyers a link to the pdf, its been revised and has a few more pics, descriptions.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&p...uthkey=CKqQgGk


Please PM me if your are interested, i will get you my pp addy and more info on how this is gonna work. Once again its 35+shipping for the kit. As of now i am doing 5 dollars to ship and that is through priority mail, i am currently working on first class.




Here is the pictures of it installed in a DX3S

OFF


ON (it actually a darker blue, but camra don't see it that way)


Off in a galare


On in a glare



Off in the dark



on in the dark (sorry a bit out of focus)

[losikid]

19 kits lefts!

[losikid]

18 kits left

[losikid]

I'm dropping pre-order size down to 10, if your interested this may be your only chance, i was hoping for more interest but only have 2 ordered, there is 8 left.

[youngblood]

Please post a picture of exactly what I would be receiving, uninstalled.

Thanks

[losikid]

C
Change and usb not included...

The wiring harness is subject to change as i experiment.

But here is what i have as of now.

[losikid]

Ok I have two kits ready to ship.

[naozirokun]

White EL available?

PM sent for details.

Thx!

[naozirokun]

Sorry another question, do you have a push-button style switch, not a rocker? I was thinking of placing the switch where you had it, just have it as a 2 state pushbutton so that it has a flatter profile...

[losikid]

as of now, no I do not have a push button switch . however it seems most people just want it permanently on when the remote is powered on. so no switch at all. if needed I can look around and see if I can find a push button switch for the same price I'm getting the toggles

[losikid]

Ok I am out of kits, i will be ordering parts tuesday(2-8-2011) at 3pm mountain time. If you would like to have a kit out of the next batch and would like a different color backlight, other than the supplied blue, i will require down payment on one of those before i order. It will be per additional El/backlight $5. Hopefully here in 1-2 weeks i will have confirmed compatiablity with the DX3R, Nomadio React, and the DX2S.

[naozirokun]

losikid,

I got your package today (2 days after you shipped it out! That was quick!)
And thanks for all the detailed instructions. I must say you are meticulous in your wiring work and instructions. Followed it to the T and it's working.

I found that dabbing the Q-tip in Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol rather than hot water made the task of removing the adhesive off of the back of the glass much easier (The adhesive curls up nicely into small clumps and is very easy to remove. The material came off clean and got the job done much quicker).

The only issue I had is that after the wiring of the switch, I noticed that the EL doesn't fire up some times. I know that the soldering job to the switch is good since we made sure that the solder was secured to the terminal plates and even looped the wires through the contact terminal holes. 5 out of 10 times that I rocked the switch the EL would not fire up.

I'm guessing that's got something to do with charging up the driver? Once it's on, it doesn't turn off unexpectedly by jostling the controller around (so it's not a bad connection) Just on that initial charge up and firing does it fail some times...

For the switch, I used a doomsday safety toggle from Radio Shack:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062493

(I liked the look and feel of the atomic bomb switch as it balances the wheel on the right when it's both opened and closed).

Here are my photos of it working. Both ON and OFF.

[losikid]

Pm headed your way

[losikid]

Ok guys i have 5 more kits, will be ready to ship on tuesday. Please pm me quickly as they may soon run out again.

[Hulksta]

What colors you get left? im thinking of trying it on my motor dyno (which realy needs one) before trying on my nomadio

[losikid]

As of now colors are special/pre order only. All I have is blue. I will be able to order more once these 5 sell.

I should have pics and instructions for the react soon

[venomcrawlerdud]

can you cut them down to fit diferent sized ratio screens?

[losikid]

Originally Posted by venomcrawlerdud

can you cut them down to fit diferent sized ratio screens?

Yes, the el is actually bigger than what's needed on a 3s

Scissors does the job perfect.


Update: I have 4 in stock...

[Hulksta]

Originally Posted by losikid

As of now colors are special/pre order only. All I have is blue. I will be able to order more once these 5 sell.

I should have pics and instructions for the react soon

Ok kool, i'll grab one for the dyno and see how i go

[losikid]

OK 2 left. Hurry before they run out.

This will be your last chance for plug and play on the speky radios. From now on there will just be a power lead that requires 2 solder joints, not hard if you can solder a small wire to a deans you are fine. I spend way to much time crimping the micro connectors and a crimper cost $200, not enough interest to buy one.