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Effix / LedBadge

Custom firmware and library for displaying imagery on a small led name badge
MIT License
24 stars 3 forks source link

Best method for opening an LED Badge casing? #9

Open Danimations opened 6 years ago

Danimations commented 6 years ago

My first b1248 unit (actually a GD1144 mislabelled) has arrived. I've tested it with the bundled software and it's in perfect working order. I've successfully loaded scrolling text and static art to the badge using the provided MiniLED 9.92 program, and am now ready to open up the case.

What is the best way to do this while minimising damage to the case itself? The obvious starting point appears to be the power switch. It looks like I could put a small flathead screwdriver head in there and turn it to prise it open a little.

@Effix, how did you open your badge case(s), and were you able to avoid permanently damaging it in the process?

Effix commented 6 years ago

I was able to wiggle a thin piece of metal between the two halves starting at the usb port. The two halves are basically glued together, but they should pop apart if you work it slowly.

A thin enough screw driver would work. Just be careful if you end up using a knife.

Danimations commented 6 years ago

I ended up using both a small flathead screwdriver, then later a Stanley knife with a retractable blade to open the badge. It was stubborn to open, and I ended up knocking one of the button pins off in the process. I also managed to put some cracks and scratches in and on the case too... but I did get it open and have supplied photos of the internal components in another "Issue" thread on this project.

Effix commented 6 years ago

The functional part of the button is still on the board, so you should be able to pop that part that fell off back on without issue.

Danimations commented 6 years ago

Quite right, the button pad still works... it's just the clip that held the plunger in place that's popped off. It will be fiddly to reattach, but not impossible. Not a priority for the time being... at least until I can get some of my art looking good on this darned thing!