Fakku! Gold Cheap Tech

So for a while I wanted to have a secondary computer monitor to read my hentai n stuff. So instead of paying $130 for a new one, I built my own. It's a 17 inch LG LCD display with HDMI, DVI, VGA, and built in audio circuit (2 Watts x 2).


I have it running off of a 12v AGM battery but I'm going to rewire it to run power off of 5v USB.



Total cost: $30
It would have been cheaper if I had some parts laying around.
Let me know what you golds think.

Shout out to Oda Non, Midoh Tsukasa, and Reinbach!

Any issues with it? I've been trying read chapters on the iPad 2 I've had for years but browser tends to crash halfway through chapters.

The monitor runs great! You can read the full page without having to use the mouse. If your Ipad 2 can be connected to an external monitor then this is a good substitute. If you want to build one, let me know so I can give you all the parts list.

I think the crash has more to do with the Internet browser you're running because of the lack of RAM storage. For me, Opera runs well because it uses very little RAM storage for each tab open compared to chrome and firefox.

Where did you buy the screen?

You can buy the screen from ebay. They have a large selection of Laptop replacement screens. If you have an old laptop with a good screen, then use that (you can save some money).

17-inch monitors were the biggest ones I can find at a fair price.

But there are more parts to this build than just a monitor.
You will need:
-LCD Driver board
-LVDS cable (Monitor to LCD driver board cable)
-LCD screen inverter (Has to have the same number of plugs as the LCD)
Note: If you buy an LED screen, the LCD screen inverter is not needed
-12v power supply (2.1mm plug)
-video cable (VGA, HDMI, DVI, component, etc)

The LVDS cable must have the same connector as the monitor or else it will not connect. You can find out what cable it is by looking up the specifications of the LCD screen using the model number. Usually, it'll say in the specs "Video Signal Connector: ## pins". The number of pins determines the connector type: 20, 30, or 40 pins.

The other end of the LVDS is a female pin connector. There should be a marking on the side of it to indicate pin #1. On the LCD controller board, find an arrow that is pointing at the male pin headers. That male pin is pin #1. Line up the indicated markings and plug them together.

After this, it should be straight forward. The 12v power supply plugs into the LCD Driver board. The LCD inverter plugs into a two pin connector on the LCD and the other end into a socket that is marked "inverter". The connect your video cable and done.

I recommend making an enclosure for this, these monitors are fragile.

I managed to get everything at a very low price. Your experience may vary.

I can post links to LVDS connectors, LCD controller boards, and inverters but you will have to know what type of LCD connector you will need.

If you have any trouble or need me to organize something, you can reply to this post or send a message.