Replacing the ccfl tube into an LED backlight( CF-30 LCD)

I've got a chance to replaced the ccfl tube of another cf-30MK2 Toughbook into two LED backlight strips and its amazing. It has a vibrant color, no yellowish or redish color no more. This Toughbook has a flickering redish backlight whrn I got it.

First: you need an shematic for lcd specifically the inverter side to identify the VCC, Ground, BLPWM and the ON/off line.
Second: assuming that you already pull out the lcd panel from the bezel. Now! unscrew the two screw at both side where the metal guide located, then followed by four screw total on the metal frame. They are all hidden as they are all cover by plastic with rubber bumper. then carefully detach the metal frame on the lcd.
Third: unscrew two screw where the buttom metal support on the CCFl tube and then pull it out backward. Then followed by taking out the ccfl metal case. always be patient on doing it. This ccfl metal case with the tube is no longer needed(garbage)
Fourth; Now! Install the two LED strips into the metal support case facing upward. These strips has already an adhesive, If not, you can use 3M led strips double sided tape.
Fifth; Before assembling the lcd with new led backlight, make sure to add addition deflector at the back( prefer black or metal plate also) line up to the front plastic frame. This is a must so that not to create a shadow when the LCD is on at the button part.

ohlip

See a few photo below for your reference.

 

Here's a link to the same type of project Onakriss did a while back.. .......

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/471036-changing-ccfl-led-display.html

 

Teo.... Awesome! Where did you get the LED strips? Ebay?

 

Teo... Your workbench looks as messy as mine! LOL

 

Does the entire screen illuminate evenly?
Your LEDs look smaller and more of them than onirakkiss. I suspect this will provide a more even lighting??
Do you have a source for the driver?

Looks very nice. Especially the wallpaper.

-GB

 

Oh! yah..Got no time clean it up. Everything must there when I need it, lol...Btw, here where I've got the led strips and drivers.

270mm 13 3inch Laptop LED Backlight Strip Kit Update 13 3inch LCD Laptop to LED | eBay

I can't find a single driver with two slot for Led strips. What mostly available with two slot has a 12Vdc input while on Toughbook you only have 5Vdc supply. You can still use those 12Vdc but you need an step up regulator. The one I used has input voltage of 5-20Vdc which is perfect for this project.
What I did is using two driver for each led strips and then connected parallel into an inverter supply line of the Toughbook.

To karnaugh49; yes! it illuminate evenly and remember I used two Led strip on it as picture above. They are both installed.

ohlip

 

What would you guess the nit rating to be?

 

Excellent question!

 

By comparison to one of my CF-30MK2 with only 500hrs. Its almost the same on full brightness but the one with an LED, its more vibrant in color and clearer.


ohlip

 

To be honest buddy, this sounds a lot like your imigination!

But to be fair, I am willing to let you make the modification to mine so I can offer an unbiased opinion on it... :wink:

 

I am guessing that is because of the difference in color temperature between the LEDS vs the CCFL.

 

Yup... CCFL is more yellow... LEDs are more blue/white.

Jeez... My old sign making days coming back... Color temps... LOL

 

After burning of at least 6 hrs. with battery or AC alone(CF-30). It is stable and the battery last for another 15 to 20% more. Here is the final unit after assembling to final stage with all the bells and w...

ohlip

 

very nice...

 

Teo,
I have at least two lcd in need of work...what is the best?
1. Sell them to you?
2. Send them to you to repair and then sell for shares? I don't need them back and shipping kills.

In other words...we need to talk.

 

It figures... The seller only has one of these strips left!

Teo... You are installing TWO LED strips to replace the CFL tube, correct?

 

Teo... I just got 4 of these in and in the middle of trying to mod an LCD for LEDs. I noticed that the last LED is missing on all 4 strips! Also, there is no adhesive on the backs of these. I guess I need to order some LCD double stick and wait for that.


I left a message with the seller to explain the missing LEDs. They look like they were broken off... The solder points suggest that. They are simply not just missing.

Also... Can you explain a little more about the black deflector you used?

 

Rick! Its the way it is. they count per circuit I think a group of three led's. Just installed the two strip at the center and it must be line together. About the adhesive, I bought a 5mm 3M double sided adhesive for LED strip. Its available on ebay. I can't explain it to you properly but I have a basic sketch below:


ohlip

 

Teo... Thanks... I didn't see the missing LEDs on the strip in your picture... Or on the ones he has for sale. (Now up to $90 each!)

I wonder if regular Scotch extra strength double sided tape would work?

 

You mean to say the missing led is at the middle or it is at the end. It must be continuous.
First time when I've got no adhesive, yes! those scotch double adhesive will work but I had to apply a bit of hot glue on both end of the strip so that it will stable enough. Just don't fixed it permanently when you finish the entire installation on the LCD coz there might have some adjustment.

I need to install those plastic reflector which is fold around 30 deg. angle to minimized the shadow at the bottom. The prefect installation to minimize those shadow must have been at least 10mm from the led to lcd but narrowing the gap opening where the led illumination/light coming will do the trick.


ohlip

PS, If the missing led is at the end of the strip, no worry. I have the same thing on the second batch that I have ordered and works the same. It also a good place to apply the hot glue.

 

Yup... The LED is missing at the end.

 

I was just wondering, how much would a working cf-30 screen cost? If it has LED backlight it'd be even better.
Mine is making weird noises, so I was considering doing something about it. LED conversion looks very neat,
but I'm not sure if I can do it on my own

 

If you have great mechanical skills/aptitude, are deadly with a soldering iron and can read wiring diagrams, then I would say "Go for it." The farther you are from those qualifications, the better off you are buying an LED modded display. My thoughts on the question.

 

Thanks mklym, I'm not very good at dealing with electronics and soldering, neither do i have soldering Iron. So I think
I should go for a LED modded display then. I've seen some cf-30 LCD's on ebay but they cost an arm and a leg,
like 3/4 what I paid for my cf-30 in first place. I was just wondering if there are any cheap working LED modded or
even CCFL displays out there?

 

Just get a-hold of Ohlip (Teo) and ask him. He's in B.C.....he will trade your noise +$ for some bright.

 

I am in the middle of doing the LED swap and am waiting for some LED tape. So far I can report that this is not for the faint of heart. I can pretty much fix anything... (Definitely on a Toughbook since I have been modding them for 7 years!) This is my first one and I don't want to "learn" by breaking something... But I would think buying a modded LED display from Teo would keep the hair on your head instead of your shop floor.

I'll report back on my success (I hope) in the next couple of days... When I have the time to work on it.

 

Thanks, I'll contact Teo. I don't want to break anything, actually I'm even a bit nervous about removing the keyboard and detaching the
screen

 

Ahhhh... That's a piece of cake! Just be careful when unplugging the keyboard and also when removing the LCD connectors from the motherboard... The one with all the fine wires.

 

Thanks! I'll remember that

 

Is the LCD heater needed with the LED backlight?

 

Probably not but I left it in... No harm no foul.

 

I got the led strips and inverters wired...Thanks to Jeff for the extra cable I needed..
I'm refinishing a lid so I'll have a complete top assembly with touchscreen and led backlit LCD panel.. Making it a plug n play swap.
I did not install a deflector strip beside the leds yet. I think I will have to do that. You can see the bright spots at the bottom on a bright screen. It's not very noticeable on a dark screen...

 

Rick,
What did you use for a deflector strip? Did you tape it in or just lay it on top of the leds?



I started a new thread detailing my led swap on a 500 nit panel.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/panasonic/756155-led-lcd-conversion-cf30-500-nit-panel.html

 

I reused the one that was in there. I believe I had to trim it. Check out Teo's thread over on TBT also. I believe he has a picture of it there.

BTW... I ordered the 1mm double stick tape. Maybe .5mm... It was a GREAT help in keeping the LED strips secured.