Hardware GBA Backlight! (AGB-001)

[The Afroman]

So. I have never ordered from TaoBao. I seee the kit is 170 plus 30 EMS i'm guessing thats in Chinese Yuan? So it's about 32 bucks? Or am i converting the price wrong?

 

[[Truth]]

Did you try adjusting the POT?

Yes.
Today i tried with another original AGS-101 screen and another AGB-001:
Same problem. Brightness too high.
So i advice not to use an original AGS-101 screen with this mod from Zerey.

So. I have never ordered from TaoBao. I seee the kit is 170 plus 30 EMS i'm guessing thats in Chinese Yuan? So it's about 32 bucks? Or am i converting the price wrong?

You don´t order via TaoBao for international orders, you have to mail him directly:
zereyzhang at yahoo dot com

 

[wiggatron]

I've used original LCDs for the mod before without issue, so I don't know exactly what the deal is. Usually they're compatible or not. I've never seen one in between like you're describing.

There are different OEM LCDs, which is why I tend to not sell the ribbon without an LCD that I KNOW works with the adapter. So, I agree, don't bother with an original LCD. The difference between the original and aftermarket is simply not detectable in my experience anyway.

 

[[Truth]]

I made a group order in a german forum and another user there also tried the mod with an original screen and he had the same problem.
Both 40pin 02 models. Adjusting the poti didn´t help.
I guess it depends on the revision of the GBA.

This is how it looked:

And this is how it looked with Zereys Screen:

 

[wiggatron]

Hmm, odd. Well, like I said, better to just buy the adapter and LCD as a pair :/

 

[mechagouki]

I was lucky enough to actually have someone seek ME out on Digital Press and offer it to me because of what I'm doing. There's no place to find them new otherwise that I know of. I just got lucky.

But honestly, I'm gonna say with 99% certainty that just doing the 101 kit is a million times better.

I installed an Afterburner back in 2007, I took me forever to track one down, I paid around $40 for it, it was a freakin' nightmare to install (you need a dust free room or you will end up with glowing specks all over thecsreen) and the results were very disappointing, nowhere near as good as AGS-001, let alone a true backlit screen.

 

[Sam-sam]

Hi guys!

Thank you all for the information you have gathered in this post. I've just ordered a cable, lcd and set of lenses for my gba. Can't wait to get hands on =P

I was considering to get an original GBA SP ASG 101, but thanks to your post truth I've decided to buy from Zerey.

I've also seen the installation guide you posted here, but there is one point I'm not sure about:

When Zerey says "adjust image button", isn't it risky to play with that contrast button? I've seen some forums advising not to touch it, as it ended breaking the original GBA AGB 001 display. Maybe the AGS 101 screen can stand it?

This is what I'm referring to:

oh, and this is why you shouldn't play with the supposedly "contrast" control

""A positive and negative voltage controls Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs). The "contrast control" that you are referring to is actually a flicker control. The adjustment is used to synchronize the positive and negative voltages. If these voltages are out of adjustment then the LCD will no longer respond correctly. The result will be an excess charge built up in the liquid crystal and permanently damage the LCD. The excessive charge gives the appearance of a brighter screen because the liquid crystal is not reacting properly to the voltages applied. When the adjustment of the voltages is correct the changing polarities will not allow a charge to build up, which prolongs the LCD life.

This adjustment is set by the manufacturer or must be performed by a qualified Nintendo Technician using proper equipment (Proper lighting, special tools, test equipment and software). Adjusting the flicker without the proper tools and lighting will put the voltages out of sync and may cause damage to the unit."

From Nintendo itself .

I'll be posting as soon as I get the items =)

 

[wiggatron]

^^^ I don't mention it in my install manual for that reason. It's a bit of a liability, but it is unfortunately the only way to really adjust things so that they work properly (though sometimes you just get lucky).

I installed an Afterburner back in 2007, I took me forever to track one down, I paid around $40 for it, it was a freakin' nightmare to install (you need a dust free room or you will end up with glowing specks all over thecsreen) and the results were very disappointing, nowhere near as good as AGS-001, let alone a true backlit screen.

Yup, same with installing an SP front light assembly and the backlight kit for that matter. I use a LOT of canned air, a dust mask, and latex gloves when making these things. It's tough to get 'em perfect.

 

[Sam-sam]

Is it possible to check with a tester (voltimeter) so that we get the perfect setting? Checking that voltage on possitive and negative are the same or something like that? Otherwise I know that it will be impossible for me to keep my hands off that screw =P

I supose it won't break just by touching it, but I want to make sure that I'm getting the best image quality.

Still have to wait for the package to arrive... ARGH!!!

 

[jumpman1229]

I actually was doing this with a GBC that I bought off of eBay. I wanted to backlight it and so I purchased a broken AGS-001 SP with a working backlight and I am planning to install it in my GBC. I haven't gotten to that point just yet, basically because I don't have access to a soldering station, but I will finish my project soon! As of right now, I have custom painted it a midnight blue and thrown several coats of gloss on top, so it protects from any damage to the paint. Here are some pics:

 

[Coltonamore]

I need to try this out with my gba.

 

[Sam-sam]

Jumpman, that's really an impressive result! No way I could get such a nice job if I tried to paint it myself =/

Let us know about your work. It will be great to see how to turn a gbc in a backlit unit without using those messy led stripes people has used so far.

(one day closer to get my screen XD)

 

[jumpman1229]

@Sam-sam

I will! It actually took a while to get the paint job looking that way. I started out with an atomic purple GBC and the paint didn't cover it too well the 1st first so I put a total of 3. I plan on taking out the backlight from my SP soon and soldering the resistors within the next couple of weeks. I'll update when I have a finished product

 

[Achilles]

@Sam-sam

I will! It actually took a while to get the paint job looking that way. I started out with an atomic purple GBC and the paint didn't cover it too well the 1st first so I put a total of 3. I plan on taking out the backlight from my SP soon and soldering the resistors within the next couple of weeks. I'll update when I have a finished product

Just so we're all clear, the AGS-001 has a frontlight, not a backlight - the technologies are completely different, and you wouldn't be able to backlight a Game Boy Color.

 

[jumpman1229]

@Achille

Oh whoops! That is what I meant! I have an AGS-001 SP for that reason.

 

[Kouen Hasuki]

once I get a dummy GBA to use and track down an lcd and one of these cable converters im totally up for trying this and if all goes well move the mod into my main GBA

 

[Sam-sam]

@Achilles

I suppose he's trying to frontlit the GBC or something like that, not backlitting the original GBC screen. Anyway, he will get the same result as on an ags-001, which is not that bad for a GBC!

I've seen some tutorials on fontlitting different GB, so I suppose it will only mean using the GBA SP light font and putting it around the original GBC screen, as the AGS-001 won't probably fit into the GBC and the resolution wouldn't work either =S

Pitty there is no GBC Backlit units to make this mod =/

 

[Coto]

i've tried the backlight gba mod on a 001-AGB unit, the problem is the screen absorbs light and does not reflect as it should on newer models or nds lite screens. (leds were taken off a NDS lite screen, and soldered). We were a bit successful because we managed to replace the backlight plate & reflective paper, to put the "layer" that makes light flow across the screen, and actually let you see anything on screen. (because the 001-AGB screen alone ended up literally eating any kinds of light you'd send). the GBC screen is the same as the 001 gba unit so you'll need to do the same

 

[Sam-sam]

@Coto

Yes, I've read about this and how you have to peel the screen and stuff the like.

Anyway a GBA Micro screen will fit in a GBC??? Maybe this would be a solution for Jumpman.

 

[jumpman1229]

@Sam-sam

No, the AGS-001 frontlight fits in the GBC housing perfectly. You just need to shave the inside bezel a little bit, where the LCD is held. I think he is speaking of the GBA