Keithley 2000 / 2015 / 2016 / 2010 VFD to LED Display Conversion

[dimmog]

We've just started our second VFD to LED display conversion project!

This time it's for the Keithley 2000, 2015, 2016, and 2010 multimeters.
This display is also compatible with the Keithley 6485 / 6487 Picoammeters and Keithley 2182 / 2182A Nanovoltmeters.

It also appears that the display is only partially compatible with models like the 2700, 2701, and 2750, as they have slightly different annunciators.

The original VFD used is part number DD-52. If you know of any other Keithley instruments that use this display, please drop a comment.

Our goal is to have the new display ready by August September November 2025.


The display available here for $79: https://hubequip.net/products/keithley-2000-2015-2016-2010-vfd-display-replacement-led-display-conversion-kit

and on ebay for $89 https://www.ebay.com/itm/326836185343

[picburner]

The Keithley 2001 uses a different display, the DD-51 which is dual row.
You will have to do a later project for the K2001 and K2002

[dimmog]

The Keithley 2001 uses a different display, the DD-51 which is dual row.
You will have to do a later project for the K2001 and K2002

Good catch. I mixed it up with the 2010. Thanks

[BennoG]

I was planning a oled conversion for my 2 units with dim display.
But your solution will save me a lot of time so I will be following this post.

Benno

[Smokey]

Marked for when my 2700 needs a new display.  Thanks for doing this work.

[kloetpatra]

nice, i hope there will be a color that comes close to the original vfd and not this cheap standard blue

[dimmog]

nice, i hope there will be a color that comes close to the original vfd and not this cheap standard blue

I think it'll be a nice surprise here.
It looks like we've got a better color option now.
Our supplier in China recently started offering new LEDs with a bluish-cyan hue that's much closer to the original VFD and a little better than the standard blue ones.

[Kjelt]

Also following for purchase 

[AntoshC]

I am also watching this for the Keithley 2001.
Nice job!

[dimmog]

I am also watching this for the Keithley 2001.
Nice job!

Thanks. Unfortunately, creating an LED replacement display for the Keithley 2001 isn't possible. It uses a dot-matrix style VFD with an integrated controller, making it extremely difficult to design a compatible LED-based alternative in terms of this LED display technology limitations.

[artag]

Is that the same dot-matrix VFD used for the 2410 source meter ?

[dimmog]

Is that the same dot-matrix VFD used for the 2410 source meter ?

Yes, the Keithley 2410 uses the same display module as the 2001.

[BennoG]

yes but we are talking about the 2000 and that uses a completely different display.

The 7001 uses the same display as the 2001 and 2400 only the pins are bent slightly different on the 2400 than the 7001.

the 7001 are cheap on eaby. (attached picture top one is 2400 bottom one is 7001 still in its housing)

Benno

[coromonadalix]

for the VFD's  with integrated driver ic's in them,  you would need extensive debugging, data sniffing protocol decoding and create an MCU based interface board  and add your oled or led solution

IF it is doable,  and you need the place and ways to add it in the dmm

always easy to say i want one ... but doing so ...  takes time and dedication

some members here did miracles ... but they have their life too

[dimmog]

Project update.

We've selected the current-limiting resistors, and the display looks fantastic. Now it's time for some extended testing.
What do you think of the LEDs color?

[nidlaX]

Great choice of colors, better than the bright blue LEDs for the previous revision IMO.

[the Chris]

Looks great and is probably better readable for many.

[Hydron]

Yep much easier for your eyes to focus on than pure blue. Now you're tempting me to grow my Keithley collection with one of these meters (won't need to worry as much about VFD issues)!

[Qw3rtzuiop]

What do you think of the LEDs color?

The color looks great. The color of your 53131a LED display kept me from buying it.

[coromonadalix]

yep nice color   

[Kjelt]

I also like the color 

[KhronX]

Any idea about the ballpark cost of one of these? 

My 2015 has a few dimmer segments / characters "already"... 

[Rubo]

Just to make sure...

Are you going to be offering the new color for 53131A/53132A/53181A also or only for the Keithley line?

[dimmog]

Any idea about the ballpark cost of one of these? 

The pricing will stay the same as it was for our initial display.

[dimmog]

Are you going to be offering the new color for 53131A/53132A/53181A also or only for the Keithley line?

These are brand new LEDs that weren't available when the 53131A LED project began.
Honestly we need to sell the first batch of blue displays before we can offer the new color, assuming there's still demand.