Using electroluminescent panel for Gameboy Color backlight?

[Concept]

Since there isn't much room inside of the Gameboy Color case, I was thinking about using an EL panel to light up the screen instead of LED's. They seem to be very bright and provides an even flow of light:

http://www.e-clec-tech.com/jupakita.html


Does anyone have any experience with making hardware modifications to a Gameboy Color console? I'm not sure if these panels can be connected directly to the Gameboy power source or not.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[soundwave]

I dont know how good the color from the EL panel and the color from the GBC would mix. I think these are better for GBP and Calculators.

[Lucretius]

What about power suck?

[usbcd36]

If the light looks white, it should be fine. Also, you might want to find an EL panel that is the right size, that one looks too big. If all else fails, try using white LEDs to backlight it, it works well for the PSone screen!

[Concept]

Well, this panel is made to be cut to whatever size you want so the size wouldnt be an issue.

My only concern is the power supply that they ship with the panel...i dont know if i would need to use that power supply and splice it in with the GBC power or if i could just connect the panel directly into the GBC power.

As for the LED's...i wouldnt mind using that, but do i need any type of resistor in conjunction with the LED's? or can i solder the LED's directly into the power supply? Do I need to connect them in parallel or series? I would want to use 4 (one on each corner of the screen) to keep an even flow of light.

thanks for the info!

[soundwave]

I believe you can cut EL panels, so long as you leave the +/- connections in.

[usbcd36]

Well, this panel is made to be cut to whatever size you want so the size wouldnt be an issue.

My only concern is the power supply that they ship with the panel...i dont know if i would need to use that power supply and splice it in with the GBC power or if i could just connect the panel directly into the GBC power.

As for the LED's...i wouldnt mind using that, but do i need any type of resistor in conjunction with the LED's? or can i solder the LED's directly into the power supply? Do I need to connect them in parallel or series? I would want to use 4 (one on each corner of the screen) to keep an even flow of light.

thanks for the info!

You connect them in parallel and you put 20 ohms of resistance in front of them (2 10 ohm resistors are good, just wire them in series). Connect the positive leads of both LEDs together and the negatives together. Connect the power (after the resistors) to the positive lead and the ground to the negative. That's all there is really. I suggest you use the 7,000mcd LEDs from http://www.ledautomotive.com. Get them shaved (basically, it makes them diffuse more evenly by removing the lens) when you buy them and get an extra in case of mistakes. If you don't use it, it will be good for a mini maglite bulb.

Also, I suggest using the EL panel if you can. That is really thin and it will probably fit better than the LEDs. My only concern is with power consumption, it'll probably take a lot more power than the GBC did originally. All you have to do then is find a spot for the inverter (looking at my own clear GBC, there is some space below the battery compartment and between the D-pad and buttons).

[Super Mulletman]

Thst's awesome if you can cut it. If it works well on low power, this may be the next backlight for the portabalizers.

[Concept]

Just took the entire GBC apart and seperated the LCD screen from it's metal casing and foam. Just ordered the EL panel as well so in a few days I should have it here and I'll begin the mod.

I'll keep you guys posted with pics as I begin assembling everything.

Wish me luck!!

[Niku-Sama]

EL requires an inverter..

edit:

woah...why does this not?
hmm, this'll be easier to do what i want to my car

[A.J. Franzman]

Yes, EL requires an inverter (the site linked above just calls it a "power supply"). The one shown can be cut (not all can). But the image posted is very deceptive; look at the shadows around the hand. That photo was taken in very dim light. I have never seen an EL panel that will be bright enough to backlight an LCD for all-around use. They're good for nightlights (Limelight) and backlighting LCD watches to use in the dark (Indiglo), but even indoors in a house with ordinary light levels in the daytime, will not be bright enough. Also, EL has a short lifespan and gets dimmer continuously during use. Even if your brand-new EL panel is just adequately bright, in a few weeks it won't be anymore.

[cennar]

i would freaking love that kind os thing.. imagine a vary thin hipgear screen that takes even less energy. or get a pile of that crap and make a PSone screen on like nothing at all.

Isnt a SP screen that stuff?

[Concept]

Well, we'll see what happens when I get the panel in 2-3 days. I have no clue how big the inverter is going to be...I'm hoping it's small enough to fit right behind the speaker where there is an open cavity in the casing. I'm sure I'll have to cut out some plastic to make it fit...but then it wouldn't be a mod if you didn't have to cut something off!

My biggest concern is going to be how the battery life will be affected. Just in case, I'm going to wire an on/off switch so that I have the option to turn it off when not needed.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a low-profile on/off switch to use? I would like to place it either on the bottom or side edge of the unit.

Thanks again for all of your help!

[Unidentified Assilant]

nice...

[soundwave]

I think you'll find a problem when trying to fit the inverter in (the thing with the yellow)

http://store1.yimg.com/I/e-clec-tech_1858_3651856