PowerBook 520c/540c backlight interchangeable?

[croissantking]

I've recently acquired a 540c with a good screen, but the backlight is a bit dim.

I guess it's a long shot but does anyone know if the 520c's backlight is interchangeable?

 

[Paralel]

As far as I am aware, they all use the same TDK inverter, so they should be.

They're all the same type and size CCFL If I'm not mistaken.

 

[croissantking]

Right, brilliant.

 

[3lectr1cPPC]

I did a swap recently between a 5300c and 5300ce LCD, both Toshiba made. As far as I know, the 520c display was made by sharp. The 540c shipped with screens made by either sharp OR Toshiba, so you may have trouble if the manufacturer doesn’t match. I even had trouble getting the new CCFL tube from my 5300ce display fitted on the 5300c screen, and they were near identical. Best way is to take them apart and see. And yea, they use the same inverter.

 

[croissantking]

I think both my 520c and 540c screens are sharp. So fingers crossed. I’ll have a look when I get it open for the recap.

 

[croissantking]

The CCFL used is identical, but the cabling is slightly different in length and gauge, and the rubber end caps are a different shape. As the terminals of the bulb are soldered, I got out my iron and swapped over the cabling.

The results aren’t that much better in the 540c though and there seems to be a dark patch towards the top middle of the screen now. Not sure if that’s a characteristic of the display or if the bulb is weaker in the middle; it didn’t appear like that in the 520c.

Would like to put in a brand new CCFL down the road, have others done this?