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LED replacement screen for 53131A 53132A!!??

MS
Mark Sims
Sat, Jan 6, 2018 10:29 PM

I have worked out a design for a replacement 531xx front panel that uses a micro and LCD module to emulate the VFD display.  I was going to do it when my VFD died, but just bought a couple of spare VFDs off of Ebay.

The 531xx front panel board basically has a bunch of elastomer switch contact pads and a couple VFD drivers with shift register inputs.  The output bit of the shift register chain is fed back to the motherboard for self tests.  I seem to remember that one of the VFD drivers also scans the keyboard.

The replacement front panel micro would take in the shift register data pulses and convert the data to a format that could be drawn on the LCD display.  Of course you could use whatever type of display you like if LCDs are not to your taste.

I have worked out a design for a replacement 531xx front panel that uses a micro and LCD module to emulate the VFD display. I was going to do it when my VFD died, but just bought a couple of spare VFDs off of Ebay. The 531xx front panel board basically has a bunch of elastomer switch contact pads and a couple VFD drivers with shift register inputs. The output bit of the shift register chain is fed back to the motherboard for self tests. I seem to remember that one of the VFD drivers also scans the keyboard. The replacement front panel micro would take in the shift register data pulses and convert the data to a format that could be drawn on the LCD display. Of course you could use whatever type of display you like if LCDs are not to your taste.
JA
John Allen
Sun, Jan 7, 2018 4:30 AM

Hi Mark - will it drive LEDs?  Are you going to build some of these up?  Are there more VFDs available on eBay?

Thanks, John (2 53131s and one 53132)

-----Original Message-----
From: time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On Behalf Of Mark Sims
Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2018 5:29 PM
To: time-nuts@febo.com
Subject: [time-nuts] LED replacement screen for 53131A 53132A!!??

I have worked out a design for a replacement 531xx front panel that uses a micro and LCD module to emulate the VFD display.  I was going to do it when my VFD died, but just bought a couple of spare VFDs off of Ebay.

The 531xx front panel board basically has a bunch of elastomer switch contact pads and a couple VFD drivers with shift register inputs.  The output bit of the shift register chain is fed back to the motherboard for self tests.  I seem to remember that one of the VFD drivers also scans the keyboard.

The replacement front panel micro would take in the shift register data pulses and convert the data to a format that could be drawn on the LCD display.  Of course you could use whatever type of display you like if LCDs are not to your taste.

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Hi Mark - will it drive LEDs? Are you going to build some of these up? Are there more VFDs available on eBay? Thanks, John (2 53131s and one 53132) -----Original Message----- From: time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts-bounces@febo.com] On Behalf Of Mark Sims Sent: Saturday, January 06, 2018 5:29 PM To: time-nuts@febo.com Subject: [time-nuts] LED replacement screen for 53131A 53132A!!?? I have worked out a design for a replacement 531xx front panel that uses a micro and LCD module to emulate the VFD display. I was going to do it when my VFD died, but just bought a couple of spare VFDs off of Ebay. The 531xx front panel board basically has a bunch of elastomer switch contact pads and a couple VFD drivers with shift register inputs. The output bit of the shift register chain is fed back to the motherboard for self tests. I seem to remember that one of the VFD drivers also scans the keyboard. The replacement front panel micro would take in the shift register data pulses and convert the data to a format that could be drawn on the LCD display. Of course you could use whatever type of display you like if LCDs are not to your taste. _______________________________________________ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
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