The target of this experiment was an old, but powerful, CRT screened 4 channel 500 MHz LeCroy LC334 oscilloscope. Inside the oscilloscope, the original display is driven by a standard VGA port which is ideal for modding. We can spare current consumption of the device and could have a upgraded better look. Let's do it!
We can buy various kind of LCD screens with VGA input from china. We can pick different sizes of screens in the range 8 - 10" and they should fit. I picked a 8" screen, arrived in 2 - 3 weeks, it needs 12V input and a display input signal. After disassembly of the scope I just connected a VGA cable between the scope motherboard and the LCD driver board. Wiring everything up the screen just worked fine.
After verification of the operation we just need to design an adapter which can be attached into the scope housing, and this adapter will be the new frame of the LCD screen. We need to take measures of the dimensions of the new LCD screen and the fixing positions of the new screen holder. I like to model everything in 3D so I modelled the original frame of the scope and put everything together in AutoDesk Fusion 360.
Assembling the model in cad tool gives us confidence, the assembly shall work in real life. And we can fine tune it to have a proper function and look. The LCD screen has a PCBA as well so I added a base for fixing the board on the frame as well. I had the first fitting model so lets do a RAPID PROTO WOERK. I have a purple PLA material fitted into my 3D machine, let's print it.
The first print come out almost perfect. The LCD fits well and the new frame could be assembled easily into the old scope.
The scope already looking much better. We spared couple of watts (80-120W) in consumption so I am happy with the solution.
There are a couple of things open which will be implemented in the near future. The LCD driver needs 12V input so I need to implement a 12V regulator inside the scope. I do not want to load on the internal supply, we can buy cheap, small form factor AC-DC converters so we can create a 12V regulator easily. Second thing is the front frame. The original CRT has a convex curve so there are some gaps around the screen. I should design a new frame and just print it to have a perfect fitting. And third, the scope has a floppy drive to save data. However the floppy technology is out dated we should find a better solution for this. We can buy floppy USB drives, however I have better idea...
See ya later!
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