Help with installing LCD into Antec clone case

[vulcan5d]

http://www.chieftec.com/images/spx-02-green.jpg

Above you can see the case I will be working with. This case is by Chieftec but it's exactly the same design as the one Antec uses. Anyway I will be installing a Seiko L2014 4X20 LED Backlight LCD - with HD44780 Controller Chip. If possible, two :). Here is what it looks like.

http://www3.telus.net/vulcansland/LCD2.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/vulcansland/04280004.jpg


I know all the wiring that I have to do, so no that is not my problem. LoL, you are probably thinking, "ahhhh, thank god" :D. No my problem is, I never, ever cut holes in a case. Well unless you count the time I used a drill to make holes for fans :D. Well I'm going more professional now, so I'll use a Dremel. Never used one before, but I'm a quick learner. Well I do a lot of electrical and wood stuff, so I'm guessing I'll be fine with fine cutting metal.

Now for all you modders out there with a Antec or siimilar case, where do you think is the best place to put the LCD? I can't put it in the front drive bays because the door will cover it. Well I could cut a hole through the plastic, messy job. If I play with plastic, then why not install the LCD in the front grill? Although the grills kind of have a curve look to them, I'd probably need to make a cover surrounding the LCD and covering the holes. Putting the LCD anywhere else would be hard to see, well if the person is sitting in front of the computer. What do you guys think?

I was thinking of installing two of these. One in the front somewhere and one on top of the case. The front LCD will display Winamp ID3 info, and the top one would display the system temp, cpu speed etc. So back to cutting that metal. When cutting, do you guys use the Dremel from the outside or the inside of the case? After the cut, do the edges have to be repainted? Any tips on what Dremel bits to use for which job?

Thanks a lot guys,
Vulcan

[ottoaxel]

I've got the same case and have spent alot of time debating the same thing hehe.
actually my door is open most of the time so I'd probably just mount it in a drivebay anyways.
Another idea, and what I will REALLY do is mount it in a small enclosure and attach it to my monitor. That way its right in front of me at all times. Cabling and wiring wouldnt be tough since you have experience with it.
If you're stuck on mounting it to the outside of the case, I'd say a recessed flat area worked into the door would look trickest. pick up a little styrene, cement, and spend alot of time sanding and that could look way trick.
Good luck and let me know what you do, love to see the pics.

[trdsw20]

Another cure for your problem that would be a bit risky would be to hace the inner protion of the door and switch it for plexy so that you would be able to see your drive bays. I forget who did that case but Im sure if you posted someone would reply

[vulcan5d]

Hmm I like the idea of installing the LCD's in the door. Won't look pretty on the inside, but the door will be closed most of the time so it won't matter.

I don't have the case yet, still waiting for it to arrive, but I don't think there would be a problem installing the LCD's into the door. The LCD is 1/8" thick, and the door looks much thicker than that. I could use a ribbon cable to connect this all up. A ribbon cable would probably slip eaily on the side of a drive bay and bend easily when the door would be oppened.

If I mess up I can always just replace the door :). I wonder Antec would accept a special order for just the door. Well anyway, thanks for the advice. The more, the better my chances of not screwing up :p. Don't worry, once my case is finished I'll post pictures. Will take some time though, I want to do this right.

[ottoaxel]

I was just looking at it again, and that should work really well. The center section of the door measures 4 inches. (If you get what I mean, the door has a u shaped vent in it. This u measures 4 inches across). That's about the same as most lcds as I recall. So you just bust out the dremel, cut out a rectangle through the center section, take some styrene, whittle it to shape box in the hole, glue, sand and paint. Super stylin. You're right, plenty of room on the back of the door, at least 1/2" clearance. Routing the ribbon cable should be a snap with this case too.

[Batman@]

question: how much do those lcd screens cost? and how do you get it to say whatever you want on it? and do you have to make your own power and computer connectors on it, or do they come ready with it? Is there a way I can have it say the title of the mp3 that is playing on my computer?

sorry about all the questions, but this just looks cool.

[Ge|atinousFury]

Me too me too......linkage please

[AarontheJC]

Hahahaha! YESS!!! I just completed similar modifications on my antec -but it's the cheap one without the door over the bays. I put in a Radio Shack thermometer and a few other gadgets. I mounted mine below the floppy area -though there is no floppy drive- and above the case badge area. I used an air-compressor-driven industrial grinder for the main cuts on the plastic and used a dremel to touch up. Except for the plastic melting a little bit onto the heads it was a piece of cake. The plastic will re-harden shortly and can easily be pulled away with no mess -even from the plastic of the case. I cut my hole a bit small so that I could chisel it to a proper snug size that would prevent air from escaping and well...it looks awesome! The thermostat is curved just about right for the case -talk about luck, eh?

When I finish up my last few mods I'll be posting lots of stuff on the site. Stay tuned and feel free to message me. I've been having a lot of fun modding and would love to hear about your ideas in the future!

Aaron

[ottoaxel]

go here (http://www.crystalfontz.com/)
they have a great selection of lcds. They can be programmed with several freeware applications, and connect to your pc via serial cable. Prices arent bad at all either.
Pay especial atention to the 633. Looks awesome, I canr wait to pick it up. Has a keypad and fan headers, to temperature control your fans via pwm. SWEEEEEEET. Its everything the digidoc should be and isnt. I cant wait to get one, it'll do everything in one slim lcd that I'm currently using two full bays for.

[Ge|atinousFury]

For anyone who's interested, the Seiko LED blacklight LCD screen that Vulcan5d is using can be purchased here (http://www.eio.com/lcd2014.htm) for $15 (however, a minimum order of $20 is required......get two and sell one to a friend as the tutorial suggests). The tutorial on wiring it up can be found here (http://www.geocities.com/krebnarb/lcdguide.htm). I plan on getting one very soon since it's only $15, and looks sweeeeet. I have 3 empty drive bays so I think I'll cut out a box where the 2 bays come together and make a hole for the screen, that way it shouldn't look too cramped in there.

[pogue1000]

i think it would look cool if you mounted it on top of the case.. right at the front.:D

[64Thunderbolt]

I just looked over the tutorial on wiring the LCD... what if i want to use my printer? I have to unplug the LCD or what? Is there an adapter to hook up both printer and LCD at the same time?
Obviously Im not THAT into computers, but Im learning... ( I can build race cars and wire them but...............)
Thanks guys


Charlie :beer:

[Ge|atinousFury]

Originally posted by 64Thunderbolt
I just looked over the tutorial on wiring the LCD... what if i want to use my printer? I have to unplug the LCD or what? Is there an adapter to hook up both printer and LCD at the same time?
Obviously Im not THAT into computers, but Im learning... ( I can build race cars and wire them but...............)
Thanks guys


Charlie :beer:

You could use a USB printer cable and not have to worry about unplugging anything

[64Thunderbolt]

MUNKy185
if the LCD is plugged into the printer port, then how do I use the printer.....

Charlie :beer:

[aamramf4]

go to a local computer store, and buy an additional printer port for like $5. If you can find a really old one, you can get them MAD cheap, and you don't really need performance in an application like this.

[Ge|atinousFury]

Originally posted by 64Thunderbolt
MUNKy185
if the LCD is plugged into the printer port, then how do I use the printer.....

Charlie :beer:

If you your printer is compatible with USB compatible, you can use an A to B USB cable to connect your printer to your computer. Since the USB cable plugs into the USB port of your computer and not the parallel port that you're using now, the parallel port will be free to use with the LCD. Hope this helps.

If not, I think I'm misunderstanding your question lol

[64Thunderbolt]

munky, my printer doesnt use USB...
duhh.. add a printer port via pci slot.. is that the idea...


Thanks
Charlie :beer:

[aamramf4]

yup, thats what you gotta do... Its too bad, I recently hammered one to my friend's wall (he decorated his bedroom with computer parts, including a working 486 mounted to his wall)

[64Thunderbolt]

bummer.... i'll have to start looking

Thanks
Charlie :beer:

[64Thunderbolt]

oh, another thing. where do I find the program that runs the LCD??

Is there a really good one??


Charlie :beer:

[xvi3tsoljahx]

wow this is very interesting i would like to know where to get the programs to program this too and where to wire these suckers in

[trdsw20]

gideotech has a nice review of the seiko 4 x20 LCD and also provides 6 or 7 different links for the programs to run the LCDs from

[PYROMANIAC]

Originally posted by 64Thunderbolt
oh, another thing. where do I find the program that runs the LCD??

Is there a really good one??


Charlie :beer:


also about the parallel...they make serial lcd at crystalfontz (http://www.crystalfontz.com/) and they also have software to download so you can control them


edit: also if u look on the tech forums they talk about doing an internal connection...on older AT boards you could hook up the lcd on some post but you cant now on ATX...if you were really set on having it hooked up internally i think they make internal serial/parallel port PCI cards but not too sure..just a thought

[jadams]

What do you use the LCD to display, I think it would look cool, but what is its purpose?

Edit: I'm talking generally, what do people usually use them for.

[PYROMANIAC]

basically whatever you want...cpu/gpu/system temps, winamp, cpu load, uptime, random words...you can tie in MBM5 to it and with the graphic LCD's its limitless kinda:)...just display your heart away

[trdsw20]

I think its basically a look that people are trying to achieve. Some of it may be functionality but mainly to prove a point. That point would be that their box is BAD ASS. Im sure youve gotten the urge to do some thing or get something better then someone else or to just do something to amaze your friends family or even yourself.
The people that are ordering these LCDs to display temps could have gone out and purchased a compunurse and digidoc which both come with there own thermisistors. Instead they would rather invest in a newer look.
If you had the choice wouldnt you spend 20 bucks and get something with multiple uses then 50 for something with just one use.

[trdsw20]

I was wondering if there was a way to change the green lettering to blue or red. Is there an LED attached to the back that you can cut and replace? Thats possible the only thing holding me back from getting one.

[crucial]

where did you get them LCD's.. would like 1 (or more) :D. seen people use those for winamp 'n such

[64Thunderbolt]

Well, Ive just ordered a blue LCD... I also picked up a new case a few days ago, didnt realize its one of those Antec looking cases with the door, like the one you have pictured. I guess they are really popular, Ive seen a few other posts with them pictured. Anyway, I plan on putting my LCD in a bay slot and putting a window in the door, trimmed with an aluminum bezel cut on the waterjet... It will be alittle while before I get it done. Im moving on the first, so I wont get to it till after the move. I'll post some pic's when done....I was thinking of mounting it in the door which would look good to.... either way I think it would look nice

Cheers :beer:
Charlie

[trdsw20]

64Thunderbolt did you order from EIO???
Which model is blue cuz I cant stand the green at all.

[trdsw20]

ay 64thunderbolt help me out here???

which seller sells the blue LCD . I checked at crystal fontz and here screens were going for 30 a pop. Im better off ordering the 2 green ones form EIO and trying to change it myself.

[64Thunderbolt]

here you go.. this is the page , I ordered the blue one.. yes, there $30.. Ive seen a "how-to" somewhere on changing the lcd's out to blue ones, but cant find the link..sorry..... http://www.crystalfontz.com/products/2004a-color/index.html

hope this helps.
Charlie

[TheGhengisKhan]

OMG!! those prices are through the roof!!
Click me (http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=365&type=store) for the same quallity (some even better) for much lower prices on LCD displays.

[trdsw20]

yea allelectronic has some good prices but I think EIO is still better. The obly trouble that I find with EIO is that I cant find a LCD with a Blue backlight. Crystalfontz has a few good lookin ones but for 30 dollars Id go for EIO and just try to mod it myself. i dont know if its possible but if someone knows a way help me out and tell me!!!!

[64Thunderbolt]

I have seen some of these other LCD's... I prefer the quality of the Crystalfontz LCD panels... The price really isnt that bad.


Charlie :beer:

[pogue1000]

You can also use a sheet of "photographic film paper" (dont know its actual name) over the lcd that "inverses" the colors.
hard to explain but this makes the lcd background dark and the numbers and letters a nice bright green.

[pby5cat]

If i got a serial LCD can i connect to an internal serial pin header on the mobo, i have one on my NForce.