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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 0:15:26 GMT
As a real last resort is there any way of buying an off the shelf inverter or utilise the 12v connection from the fusion to power something else that could provide illumination? I am a little confused about the connectors. The dimmer board has 2 connectors. One is a 12V connector but the other (smaller ) connector I am not sure about unless it is the PWM digital dimmer. I have an inverter (bought from Maplins with a CCFl as a PC mod kit) that runs on 12v (5ma)and it connects to the 12v input from the fusion but it will not power a CCFL. Can't work out why. The 12v must be there but still the CCFL will not light. Any ideas?
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Jim
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Jim on Aug 24, 2011 9:55:44 GMT
Does this help any? (added as attachment as well in case the image doesn't display properly) The two boards are just listed as 'OTYNA' in the service manual, there are no further details I'm afraid. Jim Attachments:
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 11:45:45 GMT
Afraid not, not enough details about the output, connections etc. Still, as of this morning i have a backlight. And it cost me less than £5. It may not be the most elegant but with the case closed you cannot tell. If anyone wants to know how...just let me know. Doesnt seem to be much need around here anymore.
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jiffy
Junior Member
Posts: 253
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Post by jiffy on Aug 24, 2011 12:35:47 GMT
Please tell, I'd like to know what you did just in case!
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 13:41:32 GMT
Simples, get down to Maplins and buy a 12V LCD strip in white (or another colour if you are feeling adventurous) they come in 5 cm lengths pieces but are joined already so I got two as one would have been a bit short. Next you need a 12v two pin female connector. I had one already but you could take the one off the dimmer board (its the one on the bottom). If your board has failed you won't be needing it anymore... Now, get some wire and solder the female connector to the connectors on the lcd strip. This is the component made. No need for anything else.
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 13:48:30 GMT
The next bit you do at your own risk but I had no choice if I ever wanted to see my display again. Remove the black plugs from the LCD board and you can slide out the backlight. It is basically a slab of acrylic plastic with some white pvc sheet wrapped around it. I had to peel the pvc off but it is only glued at one end. Then remove the cathode tube, insert the LCD strip and secure the pvc back. It will not fit properly now as the strip is wider than the cathode tube but a little jiggling and common sense and you can get the aluminium plate and black plugs back in. Now simply connect the led strip to the 12v connector that was originall into the dimmer board and check it works before you put it all back together. Took less than an hour and now it is as bright as ever. There is a slight orange tinge to the screen but I seem to remember it was like this before. Mine was never bright white. Best of all, if these LED's fail, it will be about £3 and 30 mins to replace. No need for inverter boards either so a quick, simple fix. Couldn't be happier. When instrumentparts refunded the parts last night I was gutted and was ready to throw the Fusion in the bin. Now it is as good as new...probably better.
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 14:07:13 GMT
Here is the part: www.maplin.co.uk/dc-12-v-led-strip-218015Not sure of the technical term for the 12v connector but it is a standard one and you can simply look at the one one the dimmer board. Bear in mind that a CCFL could well cost you over £10, they are delicate and a nightmare to solder on. If you are having light problems or have the board open for some other reason, this may actually be seen as an upgrade as a. The inverter boards are no longer available and b. leds can last many, many years under normal use. Good luck.
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jiffy
Junior Member
Posts: 253
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Post by jiffy on Aug 24, 2011 14:57:23 GMT
Nice one!
Thanks.
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 15:21:46 GMT
I will post up a pic once it gets a bit darker. Its a bit bright in the conservatory just now so you won't get the full effect.
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 18:47:54 GMT
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Post by splinters on Aug 24, 2011 18:48:58 GMT
As I said, slightly orange but...who cares. I can see again!!!!!
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Post by Shreddie on Aug 25, 2011 3:41:28 GMT
Nice work dude!
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Jim
Junior Member
Posts: 97
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Post by Jim on Aug 25, 2011 9:10:50 GMT
Couldn't be happier. When instrumentparts refunded the parts last night I was gutted and was ready to throw the Fusion in the bin. Now it is as good as new...probably better. I love happy endings - good thinking and a good job well done. The Maplin strip you referenced may have also cured my lighting problem for one of my aquariums with a dodgy fluorescent inverter. This should get 'stickied' for future reference. Jim
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Post by splinters on Aug 25, 2011 9:39:08 GMT
Thanks Jim, you can use the strips in lengths up to 5 metres. You can even run it off a 9v battery but the lights will be dimmer. Pretty sure Alesis would have done something similar had the technology been as cheap and available at the time. CCFL's are not a great idea when there is an alternative.
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Post by bluesplayer on Aug 25, 2011 17:51:44 GMT
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