M400 Control Console LCD (Resolved)

[Daniels Precision]

Yesterday the LCD display on my M400 control console (S/N A900588) suddenly went dim while running a job. I can still just barely make out what is on the screen. Although I purchased my system back in 2017, I have only really been getting things up and running over the last couple of months. I would say the LCD display has no more than 100 hours on it. I looked at Marc's CNCSNW website and under the maintenance section he says that this problem is most likely related to either a bad backlight tube or a bad backlight inverter. How common is it for these items to fail after such a short time? Any other ideas?
Thanks, Scott

[tblough]

Well, on a sample size of 5, I would say 20%. My four have been working fine for 9 years. Yours is the only one I've heard of failing and it certainly sounds like a backlight failure. First thing I would check is re-seat all the tiny connectors on the LCD display. Marc's seen a lot more than you and I put together so I'd bet he has a pretty good handle on it.

[cncsnw]

The page you refer to was specifically about the NEC 10.4" screens used in the 1996 - 2001 M400 and M15 controls.

However, I agree this sounds like a backlight issue. Check the connections first, as Tom suggests. I have not seen any backlight failures of 15" screens shipped in the last 8-10 years or so.

Some of the earlier 15" M400 screens (maybe ca. 2004-2007?) had issues with the backlight inverter overheating; and some others from that same general time frame occasionally exhibit a startup problem: a blank screen until you have left it powered on for 20 - 30 minutes.

[Daniels Precision]

I think I may have found my problem. I pulled the monitor out of my console and while reseating all of the display connectors I found that one of the female sockets on a small connector on the video board has what looks like a loose connection that has been over heating. The connector has three pairs of wires attached to it (red, yellow, and black). I will try to clean everything up, reform the contacts on the socket, and use a little Deoxit on it. I have added photos to my file. Hopefully they come thru this time.


https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipO ... VURUJESHNn

[martyscncgarage]

Your link works. But there does not appear to be a wire in that discolored molex connector opening. I'm wondering if the backlight went out in the monitor or there is a problem with the backlight power supply.
You did a super clean job on the retrofit.

Marty

[Daniels Precision]

Hi Marty, Thanks for your comments. In one of the three photos related to my LCD display problem, I have pulled the problem socket out of the connector. It is the one with the red wires in it. I cleaned up all of the mating surfaces and reformed the socket parts that weren’t making good contact. My display is now working again.

I should tell you that you are the main reason I went with a Centroid system. Your videos were invaluable. Centroid could not possibly find a better salesman!

Scott

[martyscncgarage]

Hi Marty, Thanks for your comments. In one of the three photos related to my LCD display problem, I have pulled the problem socket out of the connector. It is the one with the red wires in it. I cleaned up all of the mating surfaces and reformed the socket parts that weren’t making good contact. My display is now working again.

I should tell you that you are the main reason I went with a Centroid system. Your videos were invaluable. Centroid could not possibly find a better salesman!

Scott

Great! Glad you got it working again.
I'm not a salesman. I enjoy working with good equipment and good people. Centroid is constantly working to improve things. It's a small family run business.
Marty