Yes it will the new LCDs appear to work with the old and look great!
Recreateing the Apple TechStep
- Thread starter max1zzz
- Start date
yep indeed as @jajan547 says they will work fine however there are a couple of considerations - We are using backlit modules which are a little thicker than the original one, I also haven't seen a module with the exact layout of mounting holes and most modern modules have a different connector position than the original. You'll have to be a little creative but it should work
Also be aware that modern modules require differen't biasing for the contrast control than the techstep uses, the techstep pulls the contrast bias pin on the LCD down to ground through a 1K resistor but most modern modules need a voltage between ground and 5V (or on some modules -5V and +5V) so you'll need to setup a voltage divider for this
For reference, this is the pinout of the LCD connector
Most standard 16x4 LCD's should work but this is the specific one I have been using for testing: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/lcd-monochrome-displays/8808534
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Absolutely going to be putting these on my old TechStepS well at least one because one is starting to get dim. The new one is going to be just absolutely wonderful.
Wha...? There are LCD color choices now? Is it green, yellow, orange, red, purple, or blue?
Meant like some have yellow on blue or black on blue or white on blue hahaWha...? There are LCD color choices now? Is it green, yellow, orange, red, purple, or blue?
Much progress has been made since the my last post to this thread!
Stage 2 is now more or less complete, All the hardware has been reverse engineered and new boards have been drawn up and sent off for manufacture.
A quick overview of the current status of the hardware:
Logicboard:
Port "Pack":
Keypad / Power board:
These are really "development" versions of the PCB's and will likely be altered a little for the final version but we at a point where we just need to get one of these built and make sure it works!
In particular the keypad PCB needs some attention as that massive 18650 holder will get in the way but I just wanted to PCB mount it so it isn't flapping around while I'm testing. (and I just noticed I have two 8's on the keypad, oops )
If I have all my measurements correct these boards should all be able to be stacked and screwed together leaving enough space between the keypad and port pack PCB for the LCD module (Which will sit on a 3D printed bracket) which should make for a rather neat compact solution for testing before we have a case
Stage 2 is now more or less complete, All the hardware has been reverse engineered and new boards have been drawn up and sent off for manufacture.
A quick overview of the current status of the hardware:
Logicboard:
Port "Pack":
Keypad / Power board:
These are really "development" versions of the PCB's and will likely be altered a little for the final version but we at a point where we just need to get one of these built and make sure it works!
In particular the keypad PCB needs some attention as that massive 18650 holder will get in the way but I just wanted to PCB mount it so it isn't flapping around while I'm testing. (and I just noticed I have two 8's on the keypad, oops
)If I have all my measurements correct these boards should all be able to be stacked and screwed together leaving enough space between the keypad and port pack PCB for the LCD module (Which will sit on a 3D printed bracket) which should make for a rather neat compact solution for testing before we have a case
Hey Kai, There are quite a few on eBay still around kicking like these from a U.S. based seller for $18 each.
Yeah they are a a bit of a pain but as @jajan547 says they are available. I'll order some form UTSource (As I need to to a order from them anyway) but they are also available on Aliexpress if you know what to search
The main pain to get is the main microcontroller, I managed to snag a lot of 8 of them for about £12 each last year but these often sell for ~£25 from Chinese suppliers. You can get the OTP parts cheaper but i'm not sure I trust getting OTP arts from china....
This is really amazing, well done! 
I'd love to try one of these out next to my original side-by-side.
I'd love to try one of these out next to my original side-by-side.
They're gonna be awesome I'm editing the keypad to use MX Cherry keys.This is really amazing, well done!
Sooner than you thinkI am looking forward to getting my hands on one of these.
Out of curiosity, what is the contingency plan when the 68HC24 is nowhere to be obtained? What about the TK68HC24P TEKMOS? 
