I'm looking to replace a malfunctioning DL1414 vintage red LED display for an Oberheim DMX drum machine from the 80s.
Apparently these display modules are no longer available, but the newer DLR1414 works as a replacement and I've found a dealer who has them.
(image source: MatrixSynth)
Here's my existing (malfunctioning) display modules:
![20240606-123627_IMG_0139.jpg 20240606-123627_IMG_0139.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62334-2dbb301e97c95fc9837d2fe162e18f3c.jpg)
![20240606-123655_IMG_0140.jpg 20240606-123655_IMG_0140.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62335-778c9b9c20aad1105fbe5684d97c3e02.jpg)
![20240606-123730_IMG_0142.jpg 20240606-123730_IMG_0142.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62336-28ae793b851a36bb192fddb5b6d91624.jpg)
![20240606-141034_P6060012.jpg 20240606-141034_P6060012.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62331-bcae13c4d18cd857c0657c7fef5f281d.jpg)
![20240606-140850_P6060002.jpg 20240606-140850_P6060002.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62328-6ce599ce84983248b4a2a12fff99d397.jpg)
![20240606-140949_P6060008.jpg 20240606-140949_P6060008.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62330-ff7ae68632d28849dcd6cf3a2f262b6b.jpg)
I'll have to replace all four modules because the characters are slightly larger/have different characters from the original (besides I'm sure the other 40 year old display modules are all living on borrowed time and need to be replaced soon anyway).
I have a couple of questions:
1) The replacements I've found have a 'Z' designation (DLR1414 Z) -see photos, but I can't find any information explaining what this means. The Osram DLR1414 datasheet mentions nothing about the 'Z', so it might just be a production code or something. Are these the right type to get?
(image source: eBay)
![s-l16001.png s-l16001.png](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62332-2d00c82bc603229417b5f03b68027e79.jpg)
(image source: eBay)
The specs appear to be the same when comparing with the original DL1414 (the datasheet even says "DL1414 T" which is what my existing display modules are labelled as.
2) I read that these are highly sensitive for electrostatic discharge, so I'm worried about handling them when soldering back onto the PCB which is why I'm considering a socket. That would also ensure proper alignment between the four modules and if I'd need t replace them again it would be easy peasy. The pin spacing is 2.54 x 15.24mm (0.1" x 0.6")with a total of 48 pins (2 rows of 24 pins).
![Screenshot 2024-06-06 at 15.39.51.png Screenshot 2024-06-06 at 15.39.51.png](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62333-732364fb6f4372cfb056d68a7f95fe87.jpg)
But will I have enough room for a socket? Which solution would add least to the height?
A low profile IC socket? Low profile PCB receptables? Something else worth considering?
A rough and quick measurement tells me I have around 10mm between the surface of the PCB to the drum machine's enclosure. This means I have around 3.9mm additional room for a socket. I suppose I might have to cut the display modules' legs a little shorter.
Apparently these display modules are no longer available, but the newer DLR1414 works as a replacement and I've found a dealer who has them.
![1.jpg](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-5kaV0xp4huI%2FV0SB-Pn62JI%2FAAAAAAAKYZk%2FAUPRy2kkd7823BaKDgejs67wcFm2Idy1ACLcB%2Fs1600%2F1.jpg&hash=09006b21bba29cb9a78e53c1cb7f7ff5)
(image source: MatrixSynth)
Here's my existing (malfunctioning) display modules:
![20240606-123627_IMG_0139.jpg 20240606-123627_IMG_0139.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62334-2dbb301e97c95fc9837d2fe162e18f3c.jpg)
![20240606-123655_IMG_0140.jpg 20240606-123655_IMG_0140.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62335-778c9b9c20aad1105fbe5684d97c3e02.jpg)
![20240606-123730_IMG_0142.jpg 20240606-123730_IMG_0142.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62336-28ae793b851a36bb192fddb5b6d91624.jpg)
![20240606-141034_P6060012.jpg 20240606-141034_P6060012.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62331-bcae13c4d18cd857c0657c7fef5f281d.jpg)
![20240606-140850_P6060002.jpg 20240606-140850_P6060002.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62328-6ce599ce84983248b4a2a12fff99d397.jpg)
![20240606-140949_P6060008.jpg 20240606-140949_P6060008.jpg](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62330-ff7ae68632d28849dcd6cf3a2f262b6b.jpg)
I'll have to replace all four modules because the characters are slightly larger/have different characters from the original (besides I'm sure the other 40 year old display modules are all living on borrowed time and need to be replaced soon anyway).
I have a couple of questions:
1) The replacements I've found have a 'Z' designation (DLR1414 Z) -see photos, but I can't find any information explaining what this means. The Osram DLR1414 datasheet mentions nothing about the 'Z', so it might just be a production code or something. Are these the right type to get?
![s-l1600.png s-l1600.png](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62327-1de511e0ef8976877986ea5ea195e531.jpg)
![s-l16001.png s-l16001.png](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62332-2d00c82bc603229417b5f03b68027e79.jpg)
(image source: eBay)
The specs appear to be the same when comparing with the original DL1414 (the datasheet even says "DL1414 T" which is what my existing display modules are labelled as.
2) I read that these are highly sensitive for electrostatic discharge, so I'm worried about handling them when soldering back onto the PCB which is why I'm considering a socket. That would also ensure proper alignment between the four modules and if I'd need t replace them again it would be easy peasy. The pin spacing is 2.54 x 15.24mm (0.1" x 0.6")with a total of 48 pins (2 rows of 24 pins).
![Screenshot 2024-06-06 at 15.39.51.png Screenshot 2024-06-06 at 15.39.51.png](https://maker.pro/forums/data/attachments/62/62333-732364fb6f4372cfb056d68a7f95fe87.jpg)
But will I have enough room for a socket? Which solution would add least to the height?
A low profile IC socket? Low profile PCB receptables? Something else worth considering?
A rough and quick measurement tells me I have around 10mm between the surface of the PCB to the drum machine's enclosure. This means I have around 3.9mm additional room for a socket. I suppose I might have to cut the display modules' legs a little shorter.
Last edited: