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LP-100 Display Replacement Options

Important note about display replacement options:
Some of the PLED displays which were supplied with the original LP-100 are experiencing failures after several years. The display starts to lose lines or just goes dark. This does not seem to be related to hours of use as much as it is to age. It's impossible to tell what's happening, but it seems to be related to the fact that these were manufactured at the very beginning of the RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) directive from the EC in Europe. It appears that some of the early lead-free solders were not as good as current ones (which are still not as good as tin/lead solder). This is why such mission critical products such as military, satellite and communications infrastructure were exempted. We used several manufacturers of the PLED displays, and it appears that some were better than others in this regard.

This page details the options which are available for replacement of displays for the original LP-100. The PLED displays originally supplied with the LP-100 are no longer available. They have been replaced in the LP-100A with a graphic VFD display. Using the GVFD display with an LP-100 requires the GVFD Display Upgrade Kit, described below. This upgrade allows owners of LP-100 to upgrade their meters to the same electrical specifications as the LP-100A. The new displays we chose are manufactured by the inventor and premium supplier of VFD displays, Noritake. They are made in Noritake's plant in Japan, and are more expensive than other VFD displays which are mostly made in China. We are selling these at close to our cost to make the upgrade as painless as possible, while providing the best possible option for quality and long life.

There are several other options available as well. These options cost a little less, but do not provide the advantages of upgrading to LP-100A firmware. Still, for some users, these options may make sense. They do not require flashing new firmware, but do require some minor rework. If you are interested in these options, please follow this link.


GVFD Display Upgrade kit for LP-100:




GVFD (Graphic Vacuum Fluorescent Display) kits and assembled units are available for upgrading the display in LP-100 to the same one that's used in the LP-100A. The upgrade also allows the user to run the current firmware for LP-100A. It is also the best option for replacing a failing display on an older LP-100.

The kit includes...

GVFD display
Anti-glare neutral density filter
Daughtercard PCB
Dedicated microprocessor for display
1uF cap
10uF cap
10K resistor
Sockets and headers
Ribbon cable
Larger heat sink
Additional mounting hardware

Overview...

The daughtercard contains a second micro-controller for the display, and some connectors. To install, the micro-controller on the LP-100 PCB is removed, and inserted into the large socket on the daughtercard. The daughtercard is then plugged into the main PCB using the original micro-controller and display sockets. New LP-100A firmware must be flash programmed into the micro-controller to allow use of the new display. A larger heat sink is also required since the GVFD display draws much more current than the original PLED.

The assembly/installation manual can be found here...  GVFD Upgrade Manual

Units can be ordered anytime by sending us an email for payment instructions.

Pricing is as follows for domestic customers...

Display upgrade kit for user installation (includes shipping)... $75.  Note: User is required to flash new firmware into his LP-100 to enable the new display.

Display upgrade with assembled daughtercard for user installation (includes shipping)... $90. Note: User is required to flash new firmware into his LP-100 to enable the new display.

Factory installation of display upgrade (includes calibration check and return shipping)... $110. This option requires that the user return the meter, coupler and connecting cables.

Pricing is as follows for overseas customers...

Display upgrade kit for user installation... $70USD plus shipping.  Note: User is required to flash new firmware into his LP-100 to enable the new display.
 
Display upgrade kit with assembled daughtercard for user installation... $85USD plus shipping. Note: User is required to flash new firmware into his LP-100 to enable the new display.
 
Factory installation of display upgrade (includes calibration check)... $105USD plus return shipping.  This option requires that the user return the meter, coupler and connecting cables if calibration check is desired.

Overseas shipping charges are listed below...

Canada, Mexico:
1st Class Air Mail, 2 weeks..................................................$ 4USD
USPS Priority Mail, 6-10 days........................................... $11USD
USPS Express Mail, 5 days, insured, trackable online... $25USD

Europe:
1st Class Air Mail, 2 weeks..................................................$ 8USD
USPS Priority Mail, 6-10 days........................................... $13USD
USPS Express Mail, 5 days, insured, trackable online... $28USD

Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong:
1st Class Air Mail, 2 weeks..................................................$ 8USD
USPS Priority Mail, 6-10 days........................................... $13USD
USPS Express Mail, 5 days, insured, trackable online... $27USD

Email us for payment instructions.
Other options for PLED replacement.

Replacing PLED with standard LCD Display:
A standard LCD display like the Crystalfontz CFAH2002A-YYH-JT, http://www.crystalfontz.com/product/CFAH2002A-YYH-JT can be installed in place of the existing PLED display. This display will mount with the same hardware and use the same ribbon cable. A 16-pin header needs to be installed on the display to mate with the ribbon cable. Also, in order to power the backlight, you will need to supply 5VDV from a convenient point through a voltage dropping diode, and also supply ground to the backlight connections on the LCD. The heat sink in the LP-100 also has to be replaced with a larger one to handle the extra current. No reprogramming of the LP-100 is required for this option. This is not a preferred option, since LCDs are not as bright or fast as the VFD options. We will provide complete mod details in the future for this option.


Replacing PLED with standard VFD Display:
A standard VFD display can directly replace the PLED display. The only one I have found which is low enough in cost to make this option practical is the NewHaven
M0220SD-202SDAR1, http://www.newhavendisplay.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=22_131&products_id=812. It can be installed in place of the existing PLED display. This display will use the same ribbon cable, but will require longer standoffs for mounting, a neutral density filter in front of the display and a larger heat sink to handle the higher current. A header needs to be installed on the display to mate with the ribbon cable as well, and the user has to be careful to line it up correctly, since the display has only 14 pins and the ribbon cable has 16... the last two pins are unused. This option may appeal to overseas users who are seeking a simpler replacement option, since all the work required for replacement is simple mechanical work. No reprogramming of the LP-100 is required for this option, but you may have to change the display choice in the SETUP menu.We will provide complete mod details in the future for this option.


73,
Larry N8LP

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