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BNMac | profile | all galleries >> The catch all >> What Project are we working on today? >> 24" iMac (Early 2009) to Display Conversion Project tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

24" iMac (Early 2009) to Display Conversion Project

To convert a 24" iMac to a display, you'll need a display driver interface and a power supply. In addition to supplying 24Vdc to the LCD backlight, the power supply will run the Display driver i/f board, so there's no need for an external 12V power brick.
See the comments on image: https://pbase.com/brucemac/image/169904070
LG Display LM240WU2 (SL)(B4)
LG Display LM240WU2 (SL)(B4) 		Display Driver board (Don't buy it from the storefronts on Amazon - there's better vendors with better prices!)
Display Driver board (Don't buy it from the storefronts on Amazon - there's better vendors with better prices!)		 What are these Extra Connectors? Backlight doesn't work...
What are these Extra Connectors? Backlight doesn't work...
This screen snag from EBay shows the necessary boards and hookup - it was the info I needed!
This screen snag from EBay shows the necessary boards and hookup - it was the info I needed!		 Needed a Power Supply as well... That's where the two connectors go! (See Comments under this image)
Needed a Power Supply as well... That's where the two connectors go! (See Comments under this image)		 Display Card, Power Supply Schematic
Display Card, Power Supply Schematic
It works!
It works!		 Gutted iMac, upper section is where the hard drive was located; Lower box is the original 120VAC connection
Gutted iMac, upper section is where the hard drive was located; Lower box is the original 120VAC connection		 Detail, with most wiring installed & routed
Detail, with most wiring installed & routed
Power to inverter - 24Vdc from Power Supply, plus control wires
Power to inverter - 24Vdc from Power Supply, plus control wires		 Display connector
Display connector		 Wiring Complete - Red circle shows hole to I/F board
Wiring Complete - Red circle shows hole to I/F board
Power/Menu control board
Power/Menu control board		 Through the bottom of the bezel
Through the bottom of the bezel		 Old external HD case repurposed
Old external HD case repurposed
Top side of new connection interface - HDMI, DVI, VGA
Top side of new connection interface - HDMI, DVI, VGA		 Interface mounted - 2 hole thorugh iMac back for wiring
Interface mounted - 2" hole thorugh iMac back for wiring		 Interface finished.
Interface finished.
All the removed bits from the iMac
All the removed bits from the iMac		 Completed Monitor - currently for a Mac Mini
Completed Monitor - currently for a Mac Mini

comment
BNMac16-Mar-2024 15:49
Correct, although I did add a large heat sink to the video card's main chip.
Keep in mind this modification changes the function from an all-in-one computer with a variable power load to a display, which has a static power load. Thus, the power requirements are reduced to just the video card and power supply with passive cooling; no fan needed.
Fans are not needed in commercial displays and televisions as they rely on passive cooling.
I used that display constantly for several years before moving to a new iMac, but the display lives on in a stand-by state for the MiniMac. It operates as well today as it did when I completed the mod.
The MiniMac is my music server and for applications that cannot be run on newer OS versions.
Ulli 16-Mar-2024 15:22
So I see you do not use the fans – is this safe to do? Can the power supply work without ventilation?
BNMac25-May-2020 14:37
The speakers are non-functional.
I had connected them to the audio connection on the new interface board, but was unable to get them to work.
I have external amplified speakers anyway, so these were not needed.
djaya 24-May-2020 18:49
hello,
I am about to do the same.
I saw that you kept the loud speaker.
how did you manage to make them work ?
thank you and have a great day
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