Modifying backpack for smallest form factor possible

[jasoncout]

I'm working on a project with a LK202-25 where I need to have the screen assembly as shallow as possible. I would like to take off the serial port and the power plug. This will be in a permenant installation, so solidering the wires on is not a problem. Is there any good way to get the serial port off? I tried to pull the two boards apart, but they don't seem to want to come apart. Thanks for your help.


Jason Coutermarsh
coutej@rpi.edu

[Henry]

Well, removing the DB-9 connector should not be that hard (but there is no "easy way to do it" though)... but taking apart the two PCBs will be much harder. I have done this and other people have been sucessfull... but you very carefull!

[jasoncout]

Are the two circuit boards soldered together? If so, what should I un-solder to get them apart, and if not, is it just a really tight friction fit? Thanks.

Jason Coutermarsh
jasoncout@bigfoot.com

[omegatotal]

yes they are soldered togeather, im thinking about doing this also, so i can put a BLK202A-WB-4BR into the front of my Shuttle XPC (SN41G2)

im gonna have the keypad on it also will be soo elite

[Miles]

Like Henry said this is a very tricky procedure...The two boards are connected via strip header...You must be very careful not to scratch/break any traces when doing this...

[Mat-Moo]

If you are intent on doing this, my advice is to put the LCD in a vice (sideways, so no pressure is on screen) then use a dremmel to carefully cut through the contacts one at a time. Once you cut the first row, use a desoldering pump and soldering iron to remove as much crap as possible... then work on the second row. If your really brave you can cut through both sets of pins in one go, just make sure you keep the dremmel cutting disc as straigh as possible between the two boards so that you don't damage either of them.

[Miles]

If your not comfortable with a dremel tool, you can use a small hacksaw...Like I said earlier, be very careful not to damage any traces!! Once you have done this, to make life easier, you can cut the remaining "black" part of the strip header and strip it away from the pins as this will make your de-soldering that much easier.

[omegatotal]

yeah, the hacksaw method would prolly be the best way, since u have more control than a dremel, altho it's slower...

if u have a radio shack near by, u might want to buy a desoldering tool, they one of the req. items if u work on electronic's

[Ken J]

I just split apart a VFD2041 as well as a LCD2041 to remove the DB-9. Both projects were successful, but working slowly and carefully is the key. On one board I cut the pins, but on the other board I used a solder-sucker on the front side and soldering iron between the boards, to remove the header pins from the display. After removing the solder I twisted the pins slightly to establish which pins were still soldered. To my advantage the boards I modified have a single row header strip whereas I believe the LK202-25 has a double row.

Maybe Matrix Orbital would consider selling the displays without the DB-9 installed. It would sure save us time. Most of my projects use I2C slave addressed as 50H so I don

[Shawn Tartaglia]

I don't understand how you used a hack saw or a dremel on metal pins without getting fragments everywhere. But it sounds like it worked so - good job!

I also wanted to throught my hat in the ring to say the PCB could be made smaller and the power and serial connections should be 1 - completely optional, or 2 - at right angles or 3 - molex locking connectors so they are as small as possible.

Thanks.