Hardware GBA Backlight! (AGB-001)

[zfreeman]

With some Modells it is not needed to desolder the parts.
With Aurora Adapter it is not needed to desoldering the parts or Connect different parts.

Correct. With some ribbon cable adapters, they already include regulating the voltage for proper output.

 

[unixb0y]

With dark cable are rare Because that are original screen and they can only found in gba sp.
All other are white cable and after market.

On the 40pin typ b Display i would take the Aurora Adapter!
Its better and has a dimming function on it and no need to adjust the Potentiometer.
The screen Quality is really good and bright with the Adapter and has no problems against a32 pin gba.

And expensive is it not! 20 Euro is no thing for what it can.

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Thanks about the info on the source of the "brown cables".
I heard about that adapter. Something that I really like about it is that you don't have to bend the screen's ribbon if I see it correctly. Bending / folding it was something that I've always been a bit concerned about.

40-pin GBA + white-tab LCD screen
remove: R16, R17, C33, C54, Q3
connect: REVC to P2-VEE
sources: I have done this mod myself.

This looks very, very easy! I have actually soldered PCBs numerous times in the past so that's not an issue for me, thank you very much

Now I have to think about which option to choose:
1) Desolder the components from the GBA's PCB and use the provided ribbon without modifying it
2) Modify the ribbon
3) Buy the aurora (possible solution if 2) fails )

I'll wait until my display & ribbon cable kit arrives and see how things are looking.

I'm interested to know how the control in the Aurora works though (don't see any hardware switch or pot) and if it would be possible to control the brightness with the normal adapter cable (and either fix #1 or #2).

 

[unixb0y]

I just found people on Reddit claiming a lot of issues with the Aurora!
[reddit] /r/Gameboy/comments/a1ltm1/aurora_gba_101_mod_cable_from_aliexpress_ist/

Did anyone here try it yet?
By the way, this (attached image) is what I bought and the adapter looks similar to what the sellers that were recommended before, sell (I think lee chan and someone else). They call it "Type-B Cable". Is this correct?

I'm now tending towards the mod where you cut and solder onto the cable: [gbatemp] /threads/40-pin-gba-with-white-tab-lcd-perfect-solution.448597/

 

[unixb0y]

Hi guys, so my screen arrived today and it actually worked out of the box without even soldering the wire, though I did it anyway.
Image is crisp, bright and with great colours imho! I took the attached photo trying to get it as close to original as possible, so you can judge :-)
For now I don't think I'll need any of the "fixes" since it looks like it's perfectly fine, but correct me if I'm wrong!
Unfortunately I think I have a dead pixel, or actually it looks "stuck", since dead would probably just be black and not bright / white like here. I contacted the eBay seller and currently waiting on his response if he can maybe send a replacement. Otherwise maybe it could be something else that I can fix? I haven't removed the protective film yet but when it's turned off there's nothing to see, so I don't think it's anything between the film and the display.

On the last image, the console is on, and the image went to black because that's the normal menu transition for a specific game that I have. When the console is off completely, the screen is completely black without any noticeable spot.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

I would also like to ask if there are some special tips to make the gameboy close better with the 101 screen. I mean, the screen itself is not the biggest issue but it's the adapter that takes up a lot of vertical space, but I'm not sure that you can do anything about it.

 

[Liriel]

I would solder the cable Because without the screen get not enough power

I just found people on Reddit claiming a lot of issues with the Aurora!
[reddit] /r/Gameboy/comments/a1ltm1/aurora_gba_101_mod_cable_from_aliexpress_ist/

Did anyone here try it yet?
By the way, this (attached image) is what I bought and the adapter looks similar to what the sellers that were recommended before, sell (I think lee chan and someone else). They call it "Type-B Cable". Is this correct?

I'm now tending towards the mod where you cut and solder onto the cable: [gbatemp] /threads/40-pin-gba-with-white-tab-lcd-perfect-solution.448597/

Can you link the reddit thread?
I dont knew any Problem from me or through other from a german community.

But You need work to prevent short circuit through the board or the Display.

Typ b cable are for the Display with white cable.

I'm interested to know how the control in the Aurora works though (don't see any hardware switch or pot) and if it would be possible to control the brightness with the normal adapter cable (and either fix #1 or #2).

The Aurora works with 4 cable
1 for Power.
3 other for 3 Buttons.
Normal These are Star, L and R.

The brithness Set up when press Start and L or R to set how high.

A brithness mod with a Standard cable is possible but you muß Make 2 points where you get different Power and a switch to change it.

Its better to buy a cable with brithness control instead of build a own one Thats bigger Then the ready to Use parts.

 

[emuman100]

Here you have the schematic and the board layout I used. They are in Eagle format. In case you use a 12V regulator like the one I used, I can assure you that isolating the 5V rail from the backlight power supply is absolutely mandatory, otherwise the current out of the regulator could damage the 5V of the GBA board.

If you want to use this circuit, you will also need a Microchip PIC programmer and the HEX file for the microcontroller. I can also share this if you want.

Hi David,
What 5V rail are you talking about? Do you mean the 3v3 rail? How do you provide electrical isolation with this design?

Also, can you add a board outline to the eagle file and re upload it? OSH Park says the file does not contain a board outline. They require the board outline be drawn on the Dimension layer.

Thanks.

 

[emuman100]

I've had trouble extracting information from this thread and what is bet practice, but from what I gather, for the AGS101 LCD I have (OEM, type AB, brown connector tab) and a 40 pin GBA, I'd use a Type B 40 pin adapter cable (because my LCD is type AB). What I don't understand is what the added potentiometer was for in some installations. Was that for adjusting the backlight?

And for adjusting the backlight, it looks like the best solution is using a boost converter with adjustable PWM controller, like David's or BennVenn's.

Am I correct in my statements?

 

[Liriel]

A typ ab Display doesnt exist.
A brown Cover on the Display Connector is typ a.
A white is typ b!

Not adjust the brithness.
The potiometer Make the Display clear and Not like massive scanlines on it.

IT is Use at normal mods but mods like Aurora Adapter not need to adjust it.

I prefer for 40pin and b type Display the Aurora Adapter.


But i wait that the funny playing mod arrives.

AT the dsl Display mod takes some Times to be finish at Bennvenn.

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[emuman100]

Can you provide an example of the potentiometer circuit and is it required for the display with the brown connector?

There was information in this thread that said the brown connector display is type AB and the while connector is type A. Most sellers sell only a 40 pin B adapter, and from the information on this thread, the 40 pin GBA and brown connector display is optimum because it works without modification.

 

[Liriel]

Brown is typ a and white typ b.
Brown can only found in the gba sp Because the remainders are Sold out.
White is after build of the Display and Thats what are 99% on the market.

There is only typ a or typ b and no typ ab.


The Poti is not everytime needed.
On the auroro Adapter it has no effect.
Other Methode is Soldering out some parts.


For example Look here.
https://circuit-board.de/forum/index.php/Thread/9546-UR-GBA-Backlight-Screen-Mod-AGS-101-Display/

Or this



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[emuman100]

In that case, what kind of adapter is needed for a brown connector LCD and 40 pin GBA?

 

[Liriel]

When you lasch is brown Then a Adapter for Typ A.
I say that everytime in the last Postings!


Perhaps the Aurora Adapter can work too but this is for typ B normal

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[emuman100]

Thank you for the link. That explains it. For the screen I have with the GBA I have (brown connector, 40 pin), I should not need to add a poientiometer?

As for a backlight regulator, would you recommend David's or BenVenn's?

 

[Liriel]

No Potentiometer need to add! Its on the board since nintendo build it!
and the hole is there too!



Normal it only needs Power from the one point on the board.
No Regulator!

Thats only need when you will Use a Background lighting Control.
These are build most time in the Adapter cable.

I recommend the Aurora Adapter Because it has a Backlight lighting Control build in.
But its for a typ B Display and i dont knew if it works with typ A.
But it need 4 wire to soldering..
1 for Power and 3 for Button command.

Today i would Use the funny playing Ips display or wait for Bennvenn ndsl Display adapter.


I Have 2 gba 40pins.
1 has the ags-101 typ b with Aurora Adapter ( i knew some that Have it to and they love it).
The second gba is a 40pin too but it get the Ips Display from funny playing.

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[emuman100]

The Aurora cable has the backlight regulator built in, with buttons to control the PWM. Since mine is an OEM display, I need another solution. I think I'll try to make David's design, but his board file is missing the outline. BennVenn's is harder to find. His NDSL design is on hold for the moment, so that'll take more time.

 

[unixb0y]

Hi guys, sorry for not replying, I had practically no time for retro modding or gaming lately, but now I do
I ended up getting a refund for the money I paid for the 101 screen and could keep it. It hasn't bothered me a lot since it's just 1 dead pixel and I didn't have much time to play, as mentioned.
I ordered a couple games and also got a new shell from China that should fit the AGS-101 screen a bit better (in terms of closing without putting too much pressure on the components).
But now, that I tried to buy a new 101 screen, I noticed that there's a new product: an IPS display made for GBA! What are the experiences? It's a lot cheaper and way slimmer; it should fit very well!

 

[Liriel]

The picture Quality is Good Because 1 Pixel is 4 now.
There should be in some games tearing.
Thats what some User report.
IT take more modding of the case and the view Display is a bit bigger.
Around 1mm to each side.
Its thinner Then the ags Display.
The Adapter is for 32 and 40pin and has a Light Control in it.

I order it too and wait for it.

Look after playing funny!
Thats the screen and There are Videos too.
IT is not a Display made for the gba!
You need to cut in the case.
The left Display wall must cut out.
Its a Display from a other device that was found like the frackle shack Displays for the gbc


2 picture from a seller to the display

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[unixb0y]

The picture Quality is Good Because 1 Pixel is 4 now.
There should be in some games tearing.
Thats what some User report.
IT take more modding of the case and the view Display is a bit bigger.
Around 1mm to each side.
Its thinner Then the ags Display.
The Adapter is for 32 and 40pin and has a Light Control in it.

I order it too and wait for it.

Look after playing funny!
Thats the screen and There are Videos too.
IT is not a Display made for the gba!
You need to cut in the case.
The left Display wall must cut out.
Its a Display from a other device that was found like the frackle shack Displays for the gbc


2 picture from a seller to the display

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Thanks a lot, I’ll order one then!

I have a new shell anyway so that’s not an issue. I also have a 3D printer for the bracket so that it’s cantered.

AliExpress has some offers for under 40€ including shipping. I guess that’s fine and you don’t necessarily have to buy from RetroModding right?
Though I can’t find the larger holo lenses on Ali :/ (RM has them extra for the new SPI screen)

 

[Liriel]

This lense for Center install is not on Aliexpress.
I knew only that IT can preorder on retro modding.
On aliexpress the set is the Display, the Adapter and a offset lense.
Like in the attache picture.

Offset is not Center.
Its 2,3mm out of the center.
Look at the retro modding manual how it can install.

The Set on aliexpress and that on retro modding are the Same Set from funny playing.
The bracket for the Ips are in thingiverse.

BIG bigger is the Display not.
Its only 1mm to each side.

IT seems the reseller on aliexpress Edit the Logo from the cable.
This is the Set and cable with Logo.


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[unixb0y]

This lense for Center install is not on Aliexpress.
I knew only that IT can preorder on retro modding.
On aliexpress the set is the Display, the Adapter and a offset lense.
Like in the attache picture.

Offset is not Center.
Its 2,3mm out of the center.
Look at the retro modding manual how it can install.

The Set on aliexpress and that on retro modding are the Same Set from funny playing.
The bracket for the Ips are in thingiverse.

BIG bigger is the Display not.
Its only 1mm to each side.

IT seems the reseller on aliexpress Edit the Logo from the cable.
This is the Set and cable with Logo.


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Hmm it’s a pity that you can’t get the centered lens anywhere else.
Did you already get your kit?
Maybe we can just use regular GBA lenses?

I don’t want to install it offset and I’m easily able to print the cantering bracket. I just need something to cover the display after it’s installed