How to add backlight to your Xicoy GSU - DIY electronics - step by step guide
 

Hello guys,

Theres nothing more fun than a good useful mod! and i found this mod useful if you fly in the sun and can barely see your Xicoy GSU lettering.
This mod adds a very strong back light to the Xicoy GSU, and can be done both for V6 GSU and V10 GSU. these GSUs are very common among several jet engine manufacturers.

To do this mod you will need:
- a 16x2 generic LCD (yellow, blue, red) - cost is 1.7$ or so, such as:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1602-16x2-HD...sAAOSwj2dXkHUK
- a small 5k pot
- some wiring
- a soldering iron
- basic soldering skills

Lets get to it !

Attached: GSU before mod. very hard to read in the field in sunny Israel!

Step 1 - pry open your GSU - it would usually open with hand grip.
This is what you will find inside:

Step 2: remove the 4 bolts from the LCD module.

Step 3: add solder to the pins which are already soldered on the LCD, this makes them easy to unsolder in a moment.

Step 4: run a (good) solering iron on the solder you just applied back and forth, and gently apply pressure on the LCD module upwards, it should easily come off once solder on the pins is liquid.

Step 5 - on your newly aquired Ebay backlit LCD - prepare 2 thin wires (i used wire wrap wires) as shown in the picture, these will supply power to the backlight.
PS - these can be added afterwards if you wish, but i like a neat install with wires in the back.

Step 6 - install the LCD on the pins (same as original LCD) and put back the 4 screws through it with the spacers and nuts.
once the 4 bolts are inside and tightened gently - solder all pins to LCD.

Step 7: cut the trace marked in yellow with an xacto knife, and add a small piece of wire between the 2 solder pads as shows.

Note: if your ebay backlit LCD is the 3.3V version - OMIT THIS STEP.
since i have all 5V LCDs - and the link above is for a 5V LCD - this step is required. the cut trace is the 3.3V line to the LCD and the red wire instead of it sends 5V directly to the LCD.

I havent tested the 3.3V LCD but should work fine without step 7. all other steps are the same.
link to 3.3V LCD:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LCD1602-3-3V...YAAOSw6n5XtGNq

Step 8: add (solder) your small 5k pot between the existing solder joints, you want to use the pot's legs 1-2 or 2-3, not 1-3.
This pot is your variable contrast control.

Step 9:
Test your unit and adjut the new 5k pot you just installed for proper contrast.
and then close the plastic case back.

and GO HAVE FUN !

end result:

Just for fun i also modded my old V6 GSU. the mod is essentially the same, minus step 7, as the V6 GSU already has 5V going to the LCD, and the V10 has 3.3V, hence the trace cut and 5V jumper wire.

For thew V6 GSU - always buy a 5V LCD!