I've completely disassembled a Viewsonic VE155b and it was quite easy to do. It does have a 16-pin flat flex cable, but that was no problem to deal with. I just got two flex cable connectors from the HIROSE company through www.newarkinone.com and soldered them back to back and then I just contacted the company called Parlex at www.parlex.com , and they sent me a free sample of a 6" flex cable with a .5mm pitch, so I made my own flex cable extension cord. The extension cord works very well, and the soldering was no problem with a fine soldering tip. Therefore this makes the 15" Viewsonic VE155b a great lcd for this. Here are some specs on it:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcd_ve155b.htm
So, if there was anyone debating on whether or not to get this monitor or not, I have experienced that it is a great monitor and easy to take apart and use for DIY projector.
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/lcd_ve155b.htm
So, if there was anyone debating on whether or not to get this monitor or not, I have experienced that it is a great monitor and easy to take apart and use for DIY projector.
Alot of people wont extend the flex cable. Flex cables are just as easy to mod on any monitor... but as soon as you say it has one people tend to look elsewhere because they dont think they have the skills to do it.
I did it to a NEC 1560M and cant be happier.
I did it to a NEC 1560M and cant be happier.
Laptop FFC
Hi, I've got a LCD which is almost exactly the same setup as Billeb's posted picture. Here is the lcd on my laptop, which suffered an inverter failure. The problem with this panel though is the circuitry boards behind the LCD glass, which will not swing up and clear due to the attached cable. This is the FFC cable, is it not? I have been wondering whether it's possible to extend this if I could determine the actual pinout and come up with a replacement; my question is twofold.
Is the white connector meant to be able to easily separate from the circuit board? That would be extremely helpful, and possibly then http://www.diybuildergroup.com/store/lcd/index.htm these might do?
The second question is: By my count of the dark bands, this is a 15 pin cable. The problem is most of the extenders are of even multiples. The metallic pins number 18 on the white connector. Is this a so-called ZIF socket, zero insertion force? And can I extend this damn cable without cutting it up and soldering, though I must say I would have no clue where to start, since this doesn't seem to have conventional cables?
Thanks in advance. I was just about to start a new post and saw this thread, hopefully someone can help.
Hi, I've got a LCD which is almost exactly the same setup as Billeb's posted picture. Here is the lcd on my laptop, which suffered an inverter failure. The problem with this panel though is the circuitry boards behind the LCD glass, which will not swing up and clear due to the attached cable. This is the FFC cable, is it not? I have been wondering whether it's possible to extend this if I could determine the actual pinout and come up with a replacement; my question is twofold.
Is the white connector meant to be able to easily separate from the circuit board? That would be extremely helpful, and possibly then http://www.diybuildergroup.com/store/lcd/index.htm these might do?
The second question is: By my count of the dark bands, this is a 15 pin cable. The problem is most of the extenders are of even multiples. The metallic pins number 18 on the white connector. Is this a so-called ZIF socket, zero insertion force? And can I extend this damn cable without cutting it up and soldering, though I must say I would have no clue where to start, since this doesn't seem to have conventional cables?
Thanks in advance. I was just about to start a new post and saw this thread, hopefully someone can help.
Attachments
Yes! Figured one problem..
I'm silly, I just figured out how to detach the FFC cable from the side circuit board to the main board. The white connector actually flips up like a hinge, which was TOTALLY inobvious (ok, to me I was wondering how the hell to simply pull it out, not up..) and I tried just for fun. Now that I am able to swing the circuit boards up and away, I have an 18 pin cable which begs to be extended. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/901.pdf
Which type of connector extension would best be able to *solderlessly* attach to the now bare FFC cable? The white connector and the black connector apparently are just the upper and lower half of a hinge, and I can't seem to see any likely matches which would connect the bare cable to the hinge. I'll attach a photo to explain later.. now I should earnestly start watching Ebay for projectors..
I'm silly, I just figured out how to detach the FFC cable from the side circuit board to the main board. The white connector actually flips up like a hinge, which was TOTALLY inobvious (ok, to me I was wondering how the hell to simply pull it out, not up..) and I tried just for fun. Now that I am able to swing the circuit boards up and away, I have an 18 pin cable which begs to be extended. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/901.pdf
Which type of connector extension would best be able to *solderlessly* attach to the now bare FFC cable? The white connector and the black connector apparently are just the upper and lower half of a hinge, and I can't seem to see any likely matches which would connect the bare cable to the hinge. I'll attach a photo to explain later.. now I should earnestly start watching Ebay for projectors..
Another problem down
Regarding FFC/FPC, Thank You Guy, http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43301&highlight=
I finally realized what he was talking about in terms of solderlessly connecting FFC cables. The socket C of FFC connectors technically should be soldered onto a circuit board somewhere, but it can be used as a makeshift extension to FFC cables by simply inserting them in the same way, contacts facing each other, and mashing down on the "actuator" leaving no solder anywhere. This solves one of the last remaining problems I've had with this laptop-lcd-projector business, and I can now think about choosing either to refurb the laptop with an Ebay'd lcd panel, or turning into a projector.. The price seems about the same... except somehow I suspect the projector project would cost me some money here and there in the constant upgrade path...
Of course, all these revelations occur to me and no moderator has seen fit to allow my posts.. I hope what I've said is right, and this clarifies some other people's fears of using previously shunned FFC shackled monitors. Because really, it's like a 10 dollar fix if the connections are standard sized ish. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/901.pdf
Connector C is where you'd jury-rig the solderless connection, simply by placing two ffc's when there should be one, and making sure the contacts are made...
I hope... Guy hasn't allowed emails =x which is why I'm posting..
Regarding FFC/FPC, Thank You Guy, http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43301&highlight=
I finally realized what he was talking about in terms of solderlessly connecting FFC cables. The socket C of FFC connectors technically should be soldered onto a circuit board somewhere, but it can be used as a makeshift extension to FFC cables by simply inserting them in the same way, contacts facing each other, and mashing down on the "actuator" leaving no solder anywhere. This solves one of the last remaining problems I've had with this laptop-lcd-projector business, and I can now think about choosing either to refurb the laptop with an Ebay'd lcd panel, or turning into a projector.. The price seems about the same... except somehow I suspect the projector project would cost me some money here and there in the constant upgrade path...
Of course, all these revelations occur to me and no moderator has seen fit to allow my posts.. I hope what I've said is right, and this clarifies some other people's fears of using previously shunned FFC shackled monitors. Because really, it's like a 10 dollar fix if the connections are standard sized ish. http://www.mouser.com/catalog/620/901.pdf
Connector C is where you'd jury-rig the solderless connection, simply by placing two ffc's when there should be one, and making sure the contacts are made...
I hope... Guy hasn't allowed emails =x which is why I'm posting..
Thanks Moltenrock and Jagerk, the info you guys found out helps me out a lot!
Moltenrock, what was the exact type of connector you bought from Hirose?
I was able to get a free sample from Parlex as well, here is the final email response from them:
'I will send you a couple of 6" .5mm pitch 16-conductor cables and you can see if what you have matches up'
I have already tried out my OHP-LCD project it works great! (other than still needing to clear the flex cable out of the way)
I am using a 3M 9100 2800 lumen OHP and the Viewsonic VE155 LCD.
Moltenrock, what was the exact type of connector you bought from Hirose?
I was able to get a free sample from Parlex as well, here is the final email response from them:
'I will send you a couple of 6" .5mm pitch 16-conductor cables and you can see if what you have matches up'
I have already tried out my OHP-LCD project it works great! (other than still needing to clear the flex cable out of the way)
I am using a 3M 9100 2800 lumen OHP and the Viewsonic VE155 LCD.
I checked out that mouser electronics supply store, and when I was about to order the part (16pin 5mm FFC connector) I noticed they had a link to the manufacturer Molex.
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?&ha...38-52559-1692&Ntt=*538525591692*&N=0&crc=true
I checked out the molex page and they had a list of distributers on their 'contact us' page.
http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/mol...tact.jsp&channelId=-8863&pageTitle=Contact+Us
I called up a local Canadian distributer, and asked about part #52559-1692 16pin .5mm FPC type C connector, and they said this part was obsolete, they have a new part that is lead-free to replace it #52559-1672 16pin .5mm FPC type C connector.
The guy at the Canadian parts store was really nice and he arranged to have a free sample delivered to my work address, free of charge from Molex. (I guess distributers, can send automatic requests to the manufacturer for free samples). The only catch was it had to be sent to a corporate address. Lucky for me I work at a corporation, and can have mail sent directly to me 😀 The distributer that arranged this was SAGER... they have locatins in the United States and Canada.
http://www.sager.com/corporate/locate.asp
http://www.mouser.com/index.cfm?&ha...38-52559-1692&Ntt=*538525591692*&N=0&crc=true
I checked out the molex page and they had a list of distributers on their 'contact us' page.
http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/mol...tact.jsp&channelId=-8863&pageTitle=Contact+Us
I called up a local Canadian distributer, and asked about part #52559-1692 16pin .5mm FPC type C connector, and they said this part was obsolete, they have a new part that is lead-free to replace it #52559-1672 16pin .5mm FPC type C connector.
The guy at the Canadian parts store was really nice and he arranged to have a free sample delivered to my work address, free of charge from Molex. (I guess distributers, can send automatic requests to the manufacturer for free samples). The only catch was it had to be sent to a corporate address. Lucky for me I work at a corporation, and can have mail sent directly to me 😀 The distributer that arranged this was SAGER... they have locatins in the United States and Canada.
http://www.sager.com/corporate/locate.asp
Re: Another problem down
there is place enought for two FFC into one ZIF?
does somebody know if those extension kits shown on DBG include female--female solded conector? the photo looks like it is but I don´t believe they are. "make your own conector.." says jcb...
jagerk said:
there is place enought for two FFC into one ZIF?
does somebody know if those extension kits shown on DBG include female--female solded conector? the photo looks like it is but I don´t believe they are. "make your own conector.." says jcb...
FFC extensions
>there is place enought for two FFC into one ZIF?
It worked fine for my FFC cable. Maybe it won't fit two very thick cables. I recommend the vertical SMT connector, because it has a plunge closure. The horizontal connectors use a hinge which may not be so secure with two cables.
I also have an FFC extender from diybuildergroup. It has one male end and one female end, so you can just add it like an extension cord. I don't know if the other DIY projector stores have these.
>there is place enought for two FFC into one ZIF?
It worked fine for my FFC cable. Maybe it won't fit two very thick cables. I recommend the vertical SMT connector, because it has a plunge closure. The horizontal connectors use a hinge which may not be so secure with two cables.
I also have an FFC extender from diybuildergroup. It has one male end and one female end, so you can just add it like an extension cord. I don't know if the other DIY projector stores have these.
"it has one male end and one female end"
Could you exlain it?
it is a female--female conector + male--male cable the kit from DBG?
this female---female conector should have 2 inputs, one for the new ffc and one for the old ffc on each side. Is this correct?
Could you exlain it?
it is a female--female conector + male--male cable the kit from DBG?
this female---female conector should have 2 inputs, one for the new ffc and one for the old ffc on each side. Is this correct?
FFC extender
yes, it is exactly that: A female-to-female connector and a standard male-to-male cable either 3 or 6 inches long. You use it by plugging your LCD's existing male cable end into the F-to-F connector. Then you plug the male end of the cable into your LCD's socket.
This is more universal than just getting a longer male-to-male cable because some LCDs have only one end of their cable socketed. The other end is glued.
yes, it is exactly that: A female-to-female connector and a standard male-to-male cable either 3 or 6 inches long. You use it by plugging your LCD's existing male cable end into the F-to-F connector. Then you plug the male end of the cable into your LCD's socket.
This is more universal than just getting a longer male-to-male cable because some LCDs have only one end of their cable socketed. The other end is glued.
yes i understand now. but just wonder, there a 2 kinds of FFC (most important difference), A type and D type. A type has the conectors on the same side, while D type has the conections on the opposite sides. what type is DBG's?
i think DBG is the only one with the female-- female (dual female conector), it is soldered by him? i guess it is a hard work (0.5mm pitch my good!!!)
thanks throke, once more 😀
i think DBG is the only one with the female-- female (dual female conector), it is soldered by him? i guess it is a hard work (0.5mm pitch my good!!!)
thanks throke, once more 😀
DBG FFC extender
Then it is a type A. The cable looks just like a standard Molex single-sided 0.5 mm pitch FFC with conductors on one side and a small bit of blue plastic on the other side, an each end of the cable. The female-to-female connector consists of two horizontal mount SMT ZIF sockets, with their pins soldered together, mounted on a small piece of clear plastic.
If JCB made it himself, then he could work as a professional electronics assembly tech. If I had to guess, I would say it was done by a contract assembly shop.
Here is a scan of the 16 pin version I have. The ZIF closure parts are not pushed in, so you can see how they work. The entire assembly you see here is 15 mm across.
Then it is a type A. The cable looks just like a standard Molex single-sided 0.5 mm pitch FFC with conductors on one side and a small bit of blue plastic on the other side, an each end of the cable. The female-to-female connector consists of two horizontal mount SMT ZIF sockets, with their pins soldered together, mounted on a small piece of clear plastic.
If JCB made it himself, then he could work as a professional electronics assembly tech. If I had to guess, I would say it was done by a contract assembly shop.
Here is a scan of the 16 pin version I have. The ZIF closure parts are not pushed in, so you can see how they work. The entire assembly you see here is 15 mm across.
Attachments
well, its cofussing yet.
someone told me he bouth from DBG the extension kit, but was not this dual female conector adapter included, just there was 2 zif where you could clamp two ffc facing the contacts as lumenlab kits do.
but guy grotke says he bought from DBG recently as well, and that dual female conector "factory made?" was included.
now, who is wrong? is it that different pins (16 ,18, 20...) has different items? guys pic is for 16 pin extension...
please someone to clarify it? JCBs support service is really bad.
someone told me he bouth from DBG the extension kit, but was not this dual female conector adapter included, just there was 2 zif where you could clamp two ffc facing the contacts as lumenlab kits do.
but guy grotke says he bought from DBG recently as well, and that dual female conector "factory made?" was included.
now, who is wrong? is it that different pins (16 ,18, 20...) has different items? guys pic is for 16 pin extension...
please someone to clarify it? JCBs support service is really bad.
who is wrong?
Nobody is wrong! JCB used to sell the single ZIF socket and male-to-male cable. But some time ago he had the double ZIF socket female-to-female adapters made. Now he sells those in his FFC extender kits. You get one female-to-female adapter (as in my picture) and one standard male-to-male FFC cable.
JCB had someone else running the product shipping for him up until a few months ago. (He does have a full-time job!) Then the problems became too much, so he fired the shipper and started doing it himself. I think it may be working better now. I ordered a first surface mirror from him about 3 weeks ago, and I had it within one week. I think the only complaints remaining are from people who are waiting for JCB to send them free stuff as compensation for past shipping problems.
Nobody is wrong! JCB used to sell the single ZIF socket and male-to-male cable. But some time ago he had the double ZIF socket female-to-female adapters made. Now he sells those in his FFC extender kits. You get one female-to-female adapter (as in my picture) and one standard male-to-male FFC cable.
JCB had someone else running the product shipping for him up until a few months ago. (He does have a full-time job!) Then the problems became too much, so he fired the shipper and started doing it himself. I think it may be working better now. I ordered a first surface mirror from him about 3 weeks ago, and I had it within one week. I think the only complaints remaining are from people who are waiting for JCB to send them free stuff as compensation for past shipping problems.
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