A little reading online seems to tell that the TLX-711A-E0 LCD module is an identical replacement and we have the datasheet here :
Which shows that the new panel from Futurlec would be a suitable replacement with LED backlight. Of course, the voltages aren't the same. The original EL backlight works at 130V 1kHz while the LED is working at 4.1V.
Most of the time, the inverter in the K5 dies before the EL backlight, due to cold solder joints in the epoxy-filled inverter (good luck trying to fix it).
But even if you spend around 20$ + shipping for a new inverter, the EL foil will often be very close to it's end of life, so you'll spend another 30$ +shipping to fix this.
As Mo just said, if you email backlightsonline.com, they'll have a replacement backlight foil for you. (Altough I don't know if it's LED or EL based.)
Now, the only two known inverters that are within specs for a new backlight are the NDL-205 and NDL-206 from JKL Components. The 205 is a little low on output voltage (90V) so it probably won't come out as bright as it should be. The 206 is a more suitable replacement (120V output), but seems to be a custom order everywhere I looked.
The LCD module at Futurlec sounds promising to me as LEDs have a much longer lifespan compared to EL backlights, and we could just replace the inverter by one or two resistors to get the 4.1V required. There is a blue on black version available as well if some would prefer
However, I haven't tried this particular LED-backlit LCD, but generally speaking, a fresh EL backlight provides a very uniform and bright display, while LEDs make bright spots all around the display. Another thing you'd lose is the good 'ol K5 whine coming from the inverter.
I'll probably give the LED display a try eventually and tell you if it's a viable option.
Cheers,
Antoine
-- Antoine Deschênes
2012/11/24 Mo Morgan <lightsforsynths@...>
www.backlightsonline.com these are replacement backlights. They replace the original backlight panel behind the lcd
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android
From: Antoine Deschênes <antdes45@...>;
To: <k5synth@yahoogroups.com>;
Subject: Re: [k5synth] Re: LED Backlight
Sent: Sat, Nov 24, 2012 5:38:53 PM
My guess is it's either an LED backlight foil to replace the current EL one with the inverter, or it's a whole new LCD display.
I'm under the impression that this display might fit as a replacement :But haven't looked more into it. It's using an LED backlight and has the same physical dimensions if I remember correctly as I looked into it years ago, but it doesn't mean the controllers are compatible.
-- Antoine Deschênes
2012/11/24 <maggooster@gmail.com>I'm interested in the LED back light option as well. Is it, possibly, just a matter of hooking up bright LEDs and placing them around the display?
Using duct tape, of course, to hold them in place ;)
Sent from my iPod
<*> Your email settings:
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/k5synth/
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/k5synth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
k5synth-digest@yahoogroups.com
k5synth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
k5synth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/