Emax

What synth was it where you saw the polarity issue?  Every 80s/90s EL system I've seen uses AC to drive the panel, hence the inverters (the things that whine a bit when the display is old).  Even if the polarity was backwards on an OEL or LED backlight, it would just not shine, it wouldn't send light out of the non-iridescent backing. :)

I've had pretty good luck with Telesis in the past, although the latest EL panel I got -- for a larger (T1/M1/TG77/etc) panel -- had a slight diagonal line when illuminated, and needed minor trimming to fit.

Another option that may exist for these is to retrofit an entire modern LCD panel, as is popular with the Wavestation, M1/T1, TG77, and others.  That way you get the benefit of an LED backlight (which will virtually never burn out), better contrast/color options, and for a 16x2 or whatever the emax II uses, it's probably cheaper than a $30 backlight.  But I can't confirm it would work without a schematic, and you'd have to dig around for 5v to send to the display if it currently uses AC, which I believe it does.

Glad you're enjoying the new synth, have fun! :)


--- In emax@yahoogroups.com, "jammie" <jammie.emma@...> wrote:

> i wont use telesis units as they sent me 1 and it was back to front they had the anode and cathode the wrong way round so when i put in the lcd it shon  backwards very anoying as i turned it around and the foil did not light at all
> 
> i contacted them as it was a customer repair and he told me that the foil was correct i told him it was wrong but got no joy from him i ended up forking out extra cash to get 1 from the link i gave which was perfect as they have silver backing and will only light 1 way