Replacement ccfl backlight tubes?

[jihe]

I got a n150u3-l01 UXGA panel that I took from my old T42p in my R60, but it's got to the stage where the yellow tinge on the two sides of
the screen became too obvious. I am hoping changing the backlight would fix this? If so where do you get the ccfl tubes for this panel?

[RealBlackStuff]

The screen-yellowing is due to age, nothing to do with the CCFL.
Even with a new CCFL it will still look yellow.
If a CCFL goes bad, it'll either turn on ever darkening shades from pink to red, or dies completely.
You can get new ones here: http://www.lcdparts.net/ccflDetail.aspx?ProductID=1699
And instructions here: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=88991

[jihe]

So there's no way to fix the yellowing? Pity because I quite like it

[Saucey]

I have the same problem on my T43p, its a shame because its a very nice panel.
The yellowing isn't that bad, but its still, yellow.
One high risk solution I thought of is to use the Retr0brite method.
It reduces the yellow from old plastics that were used to make them somewhat flame retardant.
I am unsure if it will work on the panel, but given how precise one would need to be and the high probability to damage the screen, I think its best to leave it alone or sacrifice an extra screen.

[PowerPC]

Is the yellowing relly caused by the plastic aging?
I would like someone to confirm this.

[RealBlackStuff]

Check this out if you don't believe me: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 55&start=0

[rkawakami]

Yellowing can also be caused by using solvents on the surface of the screen or being exposed to cigarette smoke for some time.

[PowerPC]

I'm still reading the thread that RBS linked.

I know that something ages, but I would like to know what part is.

I'm thinking on stocking panels for future use, and I need to know if they degrade in storage, or only while being used. Those will be retrofitted with LED backlights.

[rkawakami]

If that's the case, I'd seal them in a light-proof bag/box and airtight if possible. I don't know of exposure to something like ozone will also cause the panels to degrade but why take chances in that situation.

edit: Also, if you can find the datasheet on the panel(s), I'd check the recommended storage temperatures and humidity as well.

[PowerPC]

The airtight storage is a great idea. It can't do any harm, but it must be done properly. Many plastics leak chlorine, and even those that don't actually leak air over time.

While reading the IPS xbitlabs article mentioned in that thread, I found this:
"When voltage is applied to a cell, the crystals of that cell all make a 90-degrees turn."

Moving parts, great... it's bound to fail sometime. But this is not what makes the panel yellowish - I don't see why this wouldn't affect the other colors too. If the polarizer was the culprit, perhaps a replacement could be made cutting the polarizer from a large modern monitor that is big enough to be a donor to fill the 15" 4:3 area.

[rkawakami]

Which probably would require a clean-room environment in order to minimize the possibility of dust particles or other contaminants getting sandwiched between the layers of the panel that you would need to take apart and put back together. The yellow color comes from the polarizer changing the backlight color from white to yellow; it does not really affect any other color other than what is supposed to be white. The gamut of other colors would lean towards a yellow hue but they are not as noticeable as white.

[PowerPC]

So, it is the polarizer. It's good to know.

I see that polarizer films can be bought as sheets, not only scavenged from panels. Those tend to be expensive, but at least there is an alternative.

[jihe]

Yellowing can also be caused by using solvents on the surface of the screen or being exposed to cigarette smoke for some time.

But it's not uniform, the centre of the screen is fine but the two edges become very yellow, so I don't think it's cigarette in this case. And I don't smoke lol.

[RealBlackStuff]

The same LCDPARTS folks that I mentioned above, can do more: We do offer Polarize Film Replacement services.