Author Topic: Fluke 8050A and others -> LCD to LED conversion "drop in" replacement screen (Read 8296 times)

frozenfrogz · « **on:** July 28, 2018, 08:41:29 am »

Dear all,

apart from several 80xx hand DMMs I own a desktop 8050A. The LCD is still perfectly fine but after seeing all the nice LED conversions (as on Mr.Modemheads site et.al.), I am thinking about also doing my take on the matter.
I thought it might be beneficial for a lot of people if there was a simple drop-in solution. It might take some time, but I would like to make a custom PCB with SMD parts and a matching lasercut passepartout - open source of course.

Of course I could just go with a one-off build for my own unit (see already documented projects via link above...), but thought others might like a less fiddlys olution that is easy to retrofit.

On a side note, I will learn stuff by doing this.

Please let me know what you think!

Kind regards,
Frederik

coromonadalix · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2018, 12:51:17 pm »

Similar projects :

A new graphic display for a Fluke 8050A multimeter
http://vondervotteimittiss.com/belfry/?p=180

Fluke 8050A Multimeter LCD Display Project
https://madnessinthedarkness.transsys.com/projects:fluke8050a:start

Fluke8050A Hi Res Display
https://sites.google.com/site/kenselectronicsprojects/fluke8050a_display

And a led conversion, has links to other projects
http://mrmodemhead.com/blog/gallery/fluke-8050a-led-conversion/

frozenfrogz · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2018, 01:03:03 pm »

Quote from: coromonadalix on July 28, 2018, 12:51:17 pm

Similar projects :

Yes, thank you.

Of course I read all of these. My point is, that all those projects (no intention of giving these too little credit!) are hacked together prototypes.
I am interested if there is a demand for a more streamlined and user friendly "kit" version.

precaud · « **Reply #3 on:** July 28, 2018, 02:38:02 pm »

Quote from: frozenfrogz on July 28, 2018, 01:03:03 pm

I am interested if there is a demand for a more streamlined and user friendly "kit" version.

I'd take one.

My 8050A would get more use if the display was easier to at off angles.

coromonadalix · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2018, 07:00:46 pm »

Some of theses projects are from 2014, i think if there was a demand, we should have heard of it

my 2 cents

precaud · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2018, 07:15:35 pm »

Quote from: coromonadalix on July 28, 2018, 07:00:46 pm

Some of theses projects are from 2014, i think if there was a demand, we should have heard of it my 2 cents

Ssshhhh... don't discourage him!

coromonadalix · « **Reply #6 on:** July 29, 2018, 02:21:14 pm »

Not trying to discourage any one, but projects exists, what his contribution would do for an "old 20,000 count dmm" who has basic measurements

Just asking ... ?? A drop in board would be very nice indeed.

If he wants to do it, he can.

For me I love the 34401, 34410 fluke 8845, 8846 ... any good meter with vfd's that i could replace with graphical displays and get rid of the vfd problems, or unobtanium display parts.

Sure vfd are fine when new, but in time, the fading / brightness problem is a killer ... I simply lack the knowledge to do reverse engineering on the communication protocols ... I'm in love with the HP 3458 led conversion project WOW

precaud · « **Reply #7 on:** July 29, 2018, 03:02:32 pm »

Quote from: coromonadalix on July 29, 2018, 02:21:14 pm

For me I love the 34401, 34410 fluke 8845, 8846 ... any good meter with vfd's that i could replace with graphical displays and get rid of the vfd problems, or unobtanium display parts.

I'm in love with the HP 3458 led conversion project WOW

Those are comparing apples and oranges. For most uses, 6+ digits is totally unnecessary. And an ancient 20,000-count DMM with excellent 50kHz TRMS converter does the basic things extremely well. I would definitely use mine more if it had a more readable display.

xwarp · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:30:01 am »

I'd like to see both since I have an 8050 and a 34401.

tomeo.gonzales · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2018, 07:42:22 pm »

Not 100% related with this topic but close

I have a fluke 8842A with a dim VFD display.
Are you aware about any project to replace the VFD display with a LCD or OLED one?
Thank you.

frozenfrogz · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2018, 08:38:08 pm »

Quote from: tomeo.gonzales on July 31, 2018, 07:42:22 pm

Not 100% related with this topic but close
I have a fluke 8842A with a dim VFD display.
Are you aware about any project to replace the VFD display with a LCD or OLED one?
Thank you.

I do not know about the specific integration for that meter, but it uses the Intel P8279-5 IC that seems to interface with a variety of display technologies.

Edit: See Fluke 8842A manual at page 261 for schematic with display driver.

coromonadalix · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2018, 09:11:11 pm »

The Intel 8279 is able to do leds display

surely possible to convert it, by switching the ic 215 ic217 and ic218 to led drivers / buffers

udn 6118a : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwih0dW2oMrcAhWY14MKHcTzA6QQFjAAegQIABAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allegromicro.com%2F~%2Fmedia%2FFiles%2FDatasheets%2FUDN6118-Datasheet.ashx%3Fla%3Den%26hash%3D05AB38FF5AA5D684AEA2EEF204EAC5669C20BFF3&usg=AOvVaw2pyhwNw9G2oE8w2HfKxge3

I think the lcd is multiplexed.

tomeo.gonzales · « **Reply #12 on:** August 01, 2018, 01:41:18 pm »

Thank you very much for your help.
I'm more a software guy than a hardware one so what I really need is a hardware interface for Fluke 8842A to a LCD TFT display.

coromonadalix · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2018, 02:14:58 am »

Some applications possible, i do think its doable, anyone has an 8842 to guinea pig loll

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5sqZLR0Jgkc/UMnT10TzslI/AAAAAAAAG3A/fLYcSQxS8X0/s1600/Untitled.jpg

http://www.8085projects.info/images/76.a.GIF

sampler1 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 12, 2020, 11:27:20 pm »

Check this out..
I would love to find this guy in 2020.
http://bbs.38hot.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=828474

coromonadalix · « **Reply #15 on:** April 12, 2020, 11:30:50 pm »

Damn good design wow want one loll

sampler1 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2020, 01:15:29 am »

I have been trying to communicate with this guy but I can't get by the chinese.
I wrote a sexy chinese friend and she will take a look what she can do.
You never know.

Ordinaryman1971 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 17, 2020, 01:46:19 pm »

in one of the posts he says those boards are 58 yuans... maybe that's his cost. Really nice design, hope they will be available.

jxjbsd · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2020, 04:47:57 pm »

Quote from: sampler1 on April 13, 2020, 01:15:29 am

I have been trying to communicate with this guy but I can't get by the chinese.
I wrote a sexy chinese friend and she will take a look what she can do.
You never know.

https://market.m.taobao.com/app/idleFish-F2e/widle-taobao-rax/page-detail?wh_weex=true&wx_navbar_transparent=true&id=607252624166&ut_sk=1.WH9JCx9nprIDAL5jfJk8uFlI_21407387_1587097827575.Copy.detail.607252624166.43181597&forceFlush=1
This is the website of his goods. I just don't know if you can complete the payment and if he can ship them abroad.

Rollin Hand · « **Reply #19 on:** April 18, 2020, 02:07:18 pm »

It wants to download an apk in the android phone.but the phone tell me this application is unknown,maybe dangerous and probably in Chinese.

jxjbsd · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2020, 12:29:42 am »

Quote from: Rollin Hand on April 18, 2020, 02:07:18 pm

It wants to download an apk in the android phone.but the phone tell me this application is unknown,maybe dangerous and probably in Chinese.

This is a second-hand trading website in China, similar to eBay. You should be able to visit it without downloading apps. I've contacted the seller. He's not very enthusiastic. Maybe it's too expensive to ship abroad

HendoNZ · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2022, 08:56:22 am »

Hi there frozenfrogz,

I know this is an old post but did you ever work out a drop in screen replacement for the 8050a?

The screen on my one has recently died. I've seen the other projects - but they look to be out of my abilities.

Cheers

frozenfrogz · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2022, 09:58:16 pm »

Hello HendoNZ,

I started working out some options, but since this had very low priority it is just some scribbles and no product.
So no, sadly I did not build a PCB for drop-in replacement.

HendoNZ · « **Reply #23 on:** February 01, 2022, 12:01:01 am »

Cheers for the reply.

All good. I'll just keep looking for a replacement screen.

Cheers

Jeff eelcr · « **Reply #24 on:** February 02, 2022, 02:31:44 am »

I have and use several. One has a bad display so I would take one at least.
Jeff


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Author Topic: Fluke 8050A and others -> LCD to LED conversion "drop in" replacement screen (Read 8296 times)

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