Are the backlighting and text independent ?

I want to be able to have the backlight on while the text is showing, and then turn the backlighting off and still have the text showing...so say I have a blue backlight, with white text --- I can have it running blue/white...then switch off the ...

Oh i understand it now! Great...I believe that I will be able to do this without a microcontroller now...

As for adding the heatsinks: OF COURSE I WILl ! hehe...need all the power i can get.

Thanks for the help

Sounds good, the power requirements on the LCD seem to be met, but I'm not positive on that. In any case, here is what all I want to do:

1. Switch on/off 4 fans and be able to RPM and/or voltage monitor them individually (I have a home-built rheobus (Though I am making another one for this)).
2 ...

Perhaps the Parallax Basic Stamp controller boards ? I just did some research and it seems as if they MIGHT work... The basic stamp 2sx has 16 i/o pins... http://www.parallaxinc.com

I just need to find out the following:

1. Will that allow me to control more devices
2. Will I be able to interface ...

Hey, I was wondering if there was a way to use more GPO's than the 8 that come with LK204-25PC for instance ? Perhaps an add-in board or something? I need maybe 12 or 16 to control: Fans, Lights, pumps, motors, etc.

thanks for any help.