Custom USB-C powered 8"display for the Apple IIc with STL files and build plan

[ArjenCNX]

Hi there, Fellow Tinkerers,

Recently i have spend some time to make a 3D printable display for the Apple IIc, and today is the day to share the design as all is finished, assembled, tested and so on.

I am sharing the STL files so you can print the design yourself (or send it to a printing company) and a simple guide on how to assemble it.

The Display used is a 8" Eyoyo screen with an IPS panel that performs well, is bright and has lots of contrast. its also very cheap, so affordable for most people.

Provided are:

- STL files for all parts
- assembly guide
- parts list

Parts used:

• Eyoyo 8” LCD monitor S801H for the LCD display and the driver
• Generic USB-C PD sink PCB (https://www.amazon.sg/Trigger-Module-Charge-Charger-Delivery/dp/B0BY8H5MS1)
• RCA cable with minimally 20CM cable
• 2 strands of standard electrical cable ( Red+Black)
• 2 hex keys 3mm (need to be cut to size)
• 8X M3 12mm screw
• 2X M2 screws 15mm
• 2X M4 screws hex head 40mm
• Inserts melt-in type M3 2X 10mm
• Inserts melt-in type M4 2X 10mm
• Inserts melt-in type M2 2X 10mm
• Filament Polar filament PLA retro platinum PLA or equivalent
• Spacers nylon 20mm diameter M4 hole 1mm thick (needed to hold the display and as thrust bearing)
• Double sided tape (the foam type, ideally 3M)

If you need any guidance, or you want to share improvements, please ask/add/create!

I hope someone will enjoy this design, it was fun to make! This will allow, in combination with a USB-C power adapter for the IIc to run the whole set off a single power bank (provided it supports USB-C PD) power consumption is around 4W for the display, and 8.5W for the computer (+7W when the disk drive runs)

 

[JDW]

I like your idea better than my "as is" EYOYO because yours can be tilted more nicely, is collapsible, and won't slide off the top of the IIc.

Here's my setup ( @MacEffects black case)...

Your 8" EYOYO seems to be a genuine product, as shown here:

Eyoyo S801H 8 Inch HDMI Monitor 1024x768 Resolution Display Portable 4:3 TFT LCD Mini HD Color Video Screen Support HDMI VGA BNC AV Ypbpr Input for PC CCTV Home Security with Mount

8 inch small hdmi monitor, high resolution (1024x768) LCD screen, the image is clear and exquisite, colorful Support for BNC/HDMI/VGA/AV input, supports chromatic YPbPr input, color more vivid, the image more realistic, it also supports Raspberry Pi by hdmi port Built-in high-quality...

www.eyoyousa.com

My 10" "EYOYO" is probably a knock-off because I cannot find it on the eyoyo website. I bought it off AliExpress here:

Eyoyo 10 Inch CCTV Security Monitor 4:3 IPS LCD Screen 1024x768 Small TV Computer Display for PC With HDMI BNC VGA AV USB Input - AliExpress 7

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

ja.aliexpress.com

 

[ArjenCNX]

I like your idea better than my "as is" EYOYO because yours can be tilted more nicely, is collapsible, and won't slide off the top of the IIc.

Here's my setup ( @MacEffects black case)...

View attachment 24334

Your 8" EYOYO seems to be a genuine product, as shown here:

Eyoyo S801H 8 Inch HDMI Monitor 1024x768 Resolution Display Portable 4:3 TFT LCD Mini HD Color Video Screen Support HDMI VGA BNC AV Ypbpr Input for PC CCTV Home Security with Mount

8 inch small hdmi monitor, high resolution (1024x768) LCD screen, the image is clear and exquisite, colorful Support for BNC/HDMI/VGA/AV input, supports chromatic YPbPr input, color more vivid, the image more realistic, it also supports Raspberry Pi by hdmi port Built-in high-quality...

www.eyoyousa.com

My 10" "EYOYO" is probably a knock-off because I cannot find it on the eyoyo website. I bought it off AliExpress here:

Eyoyo 10 Inch CCTV Security Monitor 4:3 IPS LCD Screen 1024x768 Small TV Computer Display for PC With HDMI BNC VGA AV USB Input - AliExpress 7

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

ja.aliexpress.com

mostly the same if you ask me, your screen is also IPS, and that makes a difference! thanks for the praise, im also quite happy with the result! also, i have never seen a black Apple IIc in the wild, looks nice, and will not yellow, how's the quality of those maceffect cases?

 

[JDW]

how's the quality of those maceffect cases?

The Clear case came out first and I found the tabs to be weak, but MacEffects strengthened them in a subsequent production run, and I confirmed that. The Black case was released after the Clear case and has the same thickened tab revision. So in the end, I can say I am pleased with both cases.

I made detailed videos about the Black case and the Clear case.

Note that I hand-made a dust filter in my Black version video, which is something I think everyone should do. It better matches what you get with the stock case, and it keeps dust out of your floppy drive too.

 

[ArjenCNX]

Nice ! Thanks for sharing DJW!

 

[joeventura]

BRAVO Sir!

 

[ArjenCNX]

The Clear case came out first and I found the tabs to be weak, but MacEffects strengthened them in a subsequent production run, and I confirmed that. The Black case was released after the Clear case and has the same thickened tab revision. So in the end, I can say I am pleased with both cases.

I made detailed videos about the Black case and the Clear case.

Note that I hand-made a dust filter in my Black version video, which is something I think everyone should do. It better matches what you get with the stock case, and it keeps dust out of your floppy drive too.

Cool videos on the cases, i had not quite realized it was you commenting (i'm quite new to the hobby) regardless, i'm a HW guy so i hope i can contribute some cool HW hacks for vintage computers, I've done a bunch of repairs over the years for friends so i still have some solutions left to share. thanks for (co)creating this space as well, its lively and fun!

 

[wottle]

This screen, mounted on a clear IIc case, with the 3d parts printed in clear resin would be incredible looking. @JDW, I feel like it would make for a good video. Make a go fund me link and I would contribute to see that happen on your channel.

 

[ArjenCNX]

Resin would require a very large printer to make, not easy to find. but clear PETG would be an option for sure, and it would hide enough inside to make it look good

 

[ArjenCNX]

This screen, mounted on a clear IIc case, with the 3d parts printed in clear resin would be incredible looking. @JDW, I feel like it would make for a good video. Make a go fund me link and I would contribute to see that happen on your channel >> I would support it if the interest is there

 

[JDW]

Gentlemen,

There are three points of concern:

1. The LCD used by @ArjenCNX measures 8 inches diagonal. The (fake?) Eyoyo I bought from AliExpress is 10 inches diagonal and therefore cannot fit inside his existing plastic case design. I just checked Amazon Japan for his 8" Eyoyo model S801H, but it's nowhere to be found. Searching for the same on AliExpress only found this one, which sold all of 5 units and which has an unusually low 2-star rating (indicating it may be an inferior fake). In other words, finding the right LCD to fit has its challenges, at least in my part of the world.

2. I have no 3D printer of my own, which is why I pay JLC3DP for prints. I have experience printing their 100% transparent 8001 Resin, and also their semi-transparent. I made speaker clips for the Mockingboard 4c speakers in both plastics in my review video, and while the 100% transparent looks great, the semi-transparent aren't up to par with the semi-transparent IIc MacEffects case, and you can see that at 33:01 in my video here.

3. I donated the semi-transparent MacEffects case to someone and currently only have the black MacEffects IIc Case. That is why everything IIc related I've been showing lately is all in black.

 

[ArjenCNX]

Valid points,

1: I found it on Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/267198515931, I'm based out of northern Thailand, on the Asian webshops they are readily available
2: Made in resin i doubt it will last very long, or will be stable in colour, resin tends to yellow really fast (1 year or so) so I'd still go with extrusion
3: If i would have to choose, i would have also gone with a black one a print in black would look cool also i think. JLCpcb would do a good job there i think.

maybe you can pick up a sponsored unit from Prusa? (come on Josef!) I'ts such great fun to make your own stuff!

also, is there another generally widely used LCD panel that you would recommend (easy to get, cheap, 4/3, good quality)

 

[ArjenCNX]

Turns out Eyoyo has a website for the US market with links and all (I finally remembered) https://www.eyoyousa.com/

 

[JDW]

@ArjenCNX
All excellent info, especially the EBAY link. Thank you!

One question...
Would it be possible to shrink your bezel to fit the 10" LCD inside?
I've not opened mine to know how much extends beyond the LCD itself.

True, I am partly asking because I already have the 10" display, but when you ponder the black borders around the displayed content, the "usable area" of any display is diminished quite a bit, making an 8" LCD even smaller overall in terms of what is actually displayed.

In order to (a) vertically center and (b) maximize the width/height of the displayed content, I am now using this A2DVI card in this IIc Adapter with this case (STL file download in video description). But even with that idea setup, the displayed content still doesn't go to the edges of the LCD. So this is why a larger LCD could make a lot of sense.

With that said, if a 10" display cannot be made to fit inside your existing plastic enclosure, then a larger plastic case (made for a 10" LCD) would probably shoot very far out the back when laid flat. I suppose that is one big reason you may have went with the 8" LCD in the first place.

 

[ArjenCNX]

the fit right now is quite tight actually, there is no extra space inside to place a larger display, it would require a re-design of the whole thing (not impossible, but a few hours work for sure)

thanks for the link to the solutions to the scribe area on the LCD, this is indeed an issue, the actual size is below 7" for sure so ill go check that out. i guess that board could be built in to the monitor as well, then it would connect with the classic video cable to the computer, a bit nicer looking.

 

[JDW]

i guess that board could be built in to the monitor as well, then it would connect with the classic video cable to the computer, a bit nicer looking.

There’s an even smaller version of the same exact thing made for the IIc that came out AFTER I acquired my setup:

https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/announcing-the-a2cdvi-v2-5.4582/

That new compact version won't as a card inside a IIe (which is really what the card I have was made for), but the newer compact version is functionally equivalent and perfect for the IIc.

 

[ArjenCNX]

wow, and for $35,- that's a steal! with HDMI i'd have to guide that cable through, maybe we can power the LCD from the USB-C power plug as well the power consumption is low anyways at just 4W. as always, plenty of room for improvement

 

[JDW]

I also have Plamen's IIc to VGA adapter, and since my Eyoyo has VGA as well as HDMI, I could compare it with the A2DVI interface. The main issue I had with Plamen's adapter on the Eyoyo is that it wouldn't vertically center, and the displayed image was slightly smaller, versus the A2DVI. That's not to speak badly about Plamen's adapter because it works wonderfully with my VGA-only Dell 17" LCD. But the Eyoyo is more fiddly. Well, at least my 10" knock-off is. But other people have raved about the A2DVI as well, so it's not exclusive to me. Definitely something you should try out, to be sure.

 

[wottle]

Gentlemen,

There are three points of concern:

1. The LCD used by @ArjenCNX measures 8 inches diagonal. The (fake?) Eyoyo I bought from AliExpress is 10 inches diagonal and therefore cannot fit inside his existing plastic case design. I just checked Amazon Japan for his 8" Eyoyo model S801H, but it's nowhere to be found. Searching for the same on AliExpress only found this one, which sold all of 5 units and which has an unusually low 2-star rating (indicating it may be an inferior fake). In other words, finding the right LCD to fit has its challenges, at least in my part of the world.

2. I have no 3D printer of my own, which is why I pay JLC3DP for prints. I have experience printing their 100% transparent 8001 Resin, and also their semi-transparent. I made speaker clips for the Mockingboard 4c speakers in both plastics in my review video, and while the 100% transparent looks great, the semi-transparent aren't up to par with the semi-transparent IIc MacEffects case, and you can see that at 33:01 in my video here.

3. I donated the semi-transparent MacEffects case to someone and currently only have the black MacEffects IIc Case. That is why everything IIc related I've been showing lately is all in black.

1. I wasn’t able to find it on Amazon initially using the model number. However, I did find this, and looking at the pictures, it appears it may be the S801H model: https://a.co/d/8AiiaSv

2. I forgot the maceffects IIc case was translucent and not transparent like the SE case. Although given how easily the SE case scratches, going translucent on a “portable” computer case seems like a better choice.

3. If the maceffects black case is a close match to the Macintosh TV black color, I think it would be cool to do one in the JLC Black resin which would give a very professional finish and a close color match.

I think this or with a new version that accepts that cheaper more readily available LCD would be an awesome project. That, combined with an easy way to power both the LCD and the IIc from USB-C would be amazing. I already have a usb-c trigger board adapter to power the IIc, but I think even better would be a usb C powered display with a 12v output you could use to run to power the computer. Then, with a single port usb c battery pack, you could power the IIc. You might even be able to 3d print an enclosure for a usb c battery to sit behind the IIc as a backpack of sorts to make it essentially a laptop.

 

[ArjenCNX]

I'm willing to make the needed modifications to the existing design, if you can reach some consensus on what would be best, and provide that to me, then i can adjust the current design if needed. to power the computer from the single USB-C plug should not be an issue either.