Well, now that my docks are shipping, and the backlit button kits don't seem to be, I'd like to gauge interest in doing backlit buttons via the "pinhole" method described elsewhere on this BBS.

Basically, this would involve me supplying and installing the 4-gang resistor pack and four button LEDs, and drilling small holes through the tips of the existing grey player buttons to let the light through. These small pinholes would then be patched smooth and flush with dabs of clear epoxy, which would still let some light through.

It may even be possible to have a single LED placed under the knob too, with a few pinholes there as well.

The fee for this service would likely be around US$60-75 or so, parts and labour included, return shipping not included (those LEDs are very pricey, wow!). As with the button kit installs, you would remove the display board from your unit, send it to me, and I would do the installation and return it via shipping method of your choice.

Nothing definite yet, just checking the level of interest. I will be doing this to one of my own players for sure. And there's nothing about this that would prevent later retrofit of Brian's translucent button caps or full knob kits.

??

I would be interested in this. When you are done with yours could we see some pics?

Thanks!

Yeah, after I solder my own together, I'll post pics. Another week or two from now, maybe. Meanwhile.. You've Got Mail!

-ml

You've Got Mail!


Back at ya!

That sounds great. I would be interested in a couple of sets.

My local model shop sells fluorescent, coloured and clear perspex rod in diameters from 1mm to 5mm in 0.5mm steps. It might be a good alternative to filling the drilled hole with epoxy (you'll probably still need epoxy to keep it in place).

Once cut to length, simply polish with ever finer grades of sandpaper or wet-n-dry emery paper before fixing in place.

Mark, you should toss together one site that has links to all the services you offer. Even it they are just links to BBS threads so you don't have to update the site a lot. You do button kit installs, docking stations and maybe tuner assembly?

I'm still hunting through the linux kernel for the 'time machine' code that must be there.

that would be nice to have.when ever your ready,you can do both of mine.

count me in, i like this method better.

I was thinking about doing something like this to match my other car buttons. My buttons are black with small white triangles. But they turn red at night.

Will these LED lights only turn on when the headlights are on?

No, they're either always on, or always off, brightness is tunable via Hijack.

But they do "dim" when the headlights are on.

Cheers

I've been waiting about a year plus for my led kit to arrive from Brian, so count me in for at least one.

I've been on Brian's list for about a year now, so I've kinda given up hope. I understand the delays he is having - there's always something else to get done.

I will at least be interested to see how you do this Mark. Hugo's in Australia right now and has brought over some buttons for me to try this exact mod.

Yeah, I think this method is a good basic way to be able to operate the player while driving at night. Maybe I'll see you in Oz later in the year..

Cheers

These small pinholes would then be patched smooth and flush with dabs of clear epoxy, which would still let some light through.

Somewhere in this forum is a thread where I posted an "artist's conception" of a more advanced version of this. The idea was to make larger holes and fill them with translucent epoxy, not just pinholes. I don't think anyone ever tried it.

Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate the thread where I posted that picture. Anyone else got a link?

This?

Thanks! Guess my search-fu wasn't very good tonight.

So I just decided to bust out the dremel and go to town. Here's what I have so far.

KEWL. Now to find the proper epoxy (or perhaps proper pigment to mix into clear epoxy) to make it complete...

I would be interrested in just buying the kit.

Marius (Escort Cab + Mark II; 2CV + Mark 2a)

Why use only one LED under the knob? People were complaining when there were three LEDs on Brian's kit because the light wasn't even enough.... Why not make up boards similar to Brian's new board, unless he has copyrights and won't let you use his design....?

Stig

If you want "just the kit", then order the resistor pack and LEDs yourself, directly from Digikey. The parts numbers have been posted on this BBS and (I think) on RioCar.Org recently. I believe minimum quantity is 10 on the resistor packs, and the LEDs are around $3-$5 each in singles.

Cheers

Why use only one LED under the knob? People were complaining when there were three LEDs on Brian's kit because the light wasn't even enough.... Why not make up boards similar to Brian's new board, unless he has copyrights and won't let you use his design....?

Well, the answer to your first question, why one LED, is that there appear to be leftover traces and mounting pads on the displayboard for one LED near the knob. I am hoping to use that for simple installation.

The answers to your second question are varied, but basically boil down to: (1) not interested, (2) not nice (I *am* Canadian, eh), (3) tfabris has a better knob solution anyway, that could be assembled and sold as an install-yourself kit, and (4) I'm trying to keep this simple enough that I don't lose too much money on it (when I'm soldering or gluing docks, I'm not hacking Linux for a living.. guess which pays better?)

Cheers

Does anyone know if they have any "spare" buttons left over? I have been thinking of doing this same thing with the buttons, but I don't want to use my original ones.

I think Rob said they had thousands of spare buttons, but he might have been exagerating.

Just a thought but maybe Mark could get a bulk load of buttons from the empeg guys, and roll the cost into the kit install. Cant imagine it would cost that much.
And that way those who wanted to keep their stock buttons intact could.
That is, if Mark wanted to go along with it and the empeg guys would be willing to send out some.

Great idea, if all are willing.

Should I email Rob directly? I would like to get a couple sets of buttons/knobs.

there appear to be leftover traces and mounting pads on the displayboard for one LED near the knob. I am hoping to use that for simple installation.

Today I disassembled one of my players, and desoldered the IR daughterboard as well (the little PCB above the knob that holds the LED and two IR modules).

The traces on the main board that appeared to be for a resistor and LED are, in fact, for a resistor and LED. It appears that the original layout was to have the IR module on the main board (there are unused pads for it there), and the throbbling LED down below the knob, again on the main board. At some point, the design changed, and they added the tiny daughterboard to hold the LED in a new position, along with the IR receiver, and the new IRDA transceiver.

EDIT: Actually, there are also pads for the IRDA on the main display board as well.. so I wonder if the whole point of the daughterboard was just to move the throbbing LED to the top? Mmm.. no wonder this thing was expensive to build!

So, I soldered in a resistor (1K) and LED, and turned it on. Sure enough, it simply behaved identically to the regular throbbing LED. Then I cut the top trace from the new LED, and connected to the button illumination control signal, and.. it works just fine as such. Pics to follow.

Here's a photo of the main display board, with the IR daughterboard removed: