Realistic Pro 2005/2006 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

tom8yvn · 21st Jan 2011, 9:00 pm

I have just aquired a tatty Realistic Pro 2005 that works well except that the display has just about had it. I thought a replacement display would be simple but Internet searches suggest that the display (EL501) has long been discontinued. Any knowledgeable/creative souls out there who can suggest either an alternative part or a simple circuit to feed an alternative display? Any help more than welcomed.

Tom

davidw · 22nd Jan 2011, 9:37 am

Tom,

PM sent, hope it helps.

PETERg0rsq · 24th Jan 2011, 12:06 am

Tom

What is the problem with the display?

If it is just the backlight, these are relatively cheap and easy to replace as use an Electroluminescent (EL) panel available on E-bay.

I replaced mine a few years ago!

If the LCD display is faulty, a slightly "over the top" but interesting project is to use a PIC and drive an Alpha numeric display. Ive replaced a few obsolete LCD displays this way, but only viable as a learning project!

tom8yvn · 24th Jan 2011, 1:31 pm

Thanks for the fast responses. David has pointed me to a source of replacement displays on the Internet (why didn't I find these?) which may solve the problem as it looks like the display itself, rather than the backlight has failed. I can just about make out the larger characters in the display when they change but after a few minutes the whole display blanks. I will follow David's lead but I would be interested in following up the PIC solution also as it's time to learn how to program and use these clever little devices. So where to start?

Tom

21st Jan 2011, 9:00 pm	#1
tom8yvn Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 6	Realistic Pro 2005/2006 I have just aquired a tatty Realistic Pro 2005 that works well except that the display has just about had it. I thought a replacement display would be simple but Internet searches suggest that the display (EL501) has long been discontinued. Any knowledgeable/creative souls out there who can suggest either an alternative part or a simple circuit to feed an alternative display? Any help more than welcomed. Tom

22nd Jan 2011, 9:37 am	#2
davidw Heptode Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 643	Re: Realistic pro 2005 Tom, PM sent, hope it helps. __________________ Dave G1AGK. My perception is my reality!

24th Jan 2011, 12:06 am	#3
PETERg0rsq Heptode Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St Helens, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 641	Re: Realistic pro 2005 Tom What is the problem with the display? If it is just the backlight, these are relatively cheap and easy to replace as use an Electroluminescent (EL) panel available on E-bay. I replaced mine a few years ago! If the LCD display is faulty, a slightly "over the top" but interesting project is to use a PIC and drive an Alpha numeric display. Ive replaced a few obsolete LCD displays this way, but only viable as a learning project!

24th Jan 2011, 1:31 pm	#4
tom8yvn Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 6	Re: Realistic pro 2005 Thanks for the fast responses. David has pointed me to a source of replacement displays on the Internet (why didn't I find these?) which may solve the problem as it looks like the display itself, rather than the backlight has failed. I can just about make out the larger characters in the display when they change but after a few minutes the whole display blanks. I will follow David's lead but I would be interested in following up the PIC solution also as it's time to learn how to program and use these clever little devices. So where to start? Tom