V
FUTABA 9Z
THE UNOFFICIAL WORKSHOP MANUAL
WARNING:
THE INFORMATION IN THIS MANUAL IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY BE INCORRECT, CAUSE DAMAGE
TO YOUR RADIO OR INJURY TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS. IF YOU USE THIS MANUAL YOU DO SO SOLEY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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Page 43 of 84
4.4. Backlit LCD Display
Note: I have not directly tested the below procedure. It is sourced from third party
information.
A word of warning about backlighting your 9ZAP, there is very little space available and
LED backlights do not produce a satisfactory effect. This means that EL Panels are the
way to go (see Figure 38). An ‘EL Panel’ is an electroluminescent ‘card-like’ panel that
glows when the right voltage/current is passed through it. It can be bought in several
colours and can be cut to size with scissors. However, EL Panels require the use of an
inverter to deliver the correct voltage to light the panel. Inverters are noisy, both audibly
and electronically. Personally, I would not have one anywhere near a transmitter
operating on 35MHz and I’d think very hard about putting one in a 2.4GHz set. As a
result, I have thought hard and I won’t be doing it, even though it looks cool! You need to
come to your own conclusions.
Figure 38 A Backlit 9Z using the 'EL Panel' solution
Figure 39 Wiring in the EL Panel, voltage regulator and switch
You will need to source and purchase a suitable inverter and an EL Panel. Also you will
need to have a switch for turning the backlight on and off – think where you want to site
this (see Figure 39). Another thing you need to think about is powering the backlight.