2015 LCD gauge darkens in the sun

[CAMTEX]

Has anyone had a problem with the LCD gauges darkening after being in the sun. My right side panel is almost unreadable after being in the sun as the temp warms up here in TX. It does go away slowly as I ride.

 

[TXTenere]

Has anyone had a problem with the LCD gauges darkening after being in the sun. My right side panel is almost unreadable after being in the sun as the temp warms up here in TX. It does go away slowly as I ride.

That is a "feature" of LCD. Nothing wrong, nothing to fix.

 

[toadady]

my 14 ES does the same, I park at work mostly, so i keep a towel handy to throw over the gauges in case the windshield decides to melt the gauges and to keep the gauges out of direct sunlight.

 

[panos]

I had the same issue while riding thru Arizona last September. Direct sunlight will cause this issue. I guess I have to protect the right LCD screen from direct sunlight. This guy on FJR had the same problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zop8eeW3t8

 

[iClint]

What sort of temperatures are we talking about?

Here in the Aussie sun 35-40 celsius which I think is around 100F I haven't had any issues.

 

[panos]

If I remember correctly it was in the 90s F. I don't think is temperature related. This issue is normal on LCD screens on long exposure to UV radiation. However, I would assume that there is some kind of filter on the clear panel before the LCD screen. And it only happens on the small right LCD screen.

 

[Andylaser]

The right hand screen seems to have a darker contrast level.
Seems they are all like that though.

 

[Shovelhead]

mine has done it several times.
It don't need to be 80, 90, 100 degrees, it's a direct sunlight thing, not a temperature thing. That's been my experience anyway.
Need a miniature roll up window shade. 8)

 

[iClint]

If it is UV, then perhaps something like this http://www.papilio.com/other%20poly%20focus%20glossy%20over%20laminate.html would solve the problem.

 

[Jeff Milleman]

I've got a 15 es here in Florida , haven't had that problem. 3m makes a clear film I put on my windshield it stops 90% of the uv and cuts down the heat, I am going to put this on should help !

 

[hawk281]

Direct sunlight is the problem, I had the same issues on my BMW and triumph. ::021::

 

[Steve_h80]

Direct sunlight????
UK, February, f'in cold and miserable

 

[JRE]

This is normal for ANY LCD, not just on this bike...

Each liquid crystal display is filled with a liquid crystal material. It is neither solid nor liquid but what is called a mesamorphic fluid. The name “liquid crystal” came from the property of having an ordered state like a crystal plus a liquid state. As one changes the temperature, it goes from something like a slushy solid to a state known as isotropic - much like water where there's no specific optical properties. In this state, it also doesn't have any dielectric properties that can be switched with an electric field.

When operated at very elevated temperatures, the material goes to this isotopic state and it does not behave with polarized light in the same way. The display will typically turn dark instead of normally white. However, this darkening is reversible. When you go back to normal room temperatures again it will operate correctly. If you're seeing a display turn dark at elevated temperatures, it means you are well above the specified temperature.

 

[regulator]

Thanks for the explanation JRE.

Will the application of a UV film help at all?

 

[draig126]

JRE I fully agree. The issue that is concerning is the claimed permanence of the damage. When it comes to the failure due to high temperatures the damage is reversible, the same with a sluggish LCD display at very low temperatures.

Doing some research, it could also be UV damage to the liquid crystal, hear is what I found:
Q. Does UV light affect LCDs?
A. The answer really depends on material selection and configuration. Because liquid
crystal is a primarily organic compound, most liquid crystal material is susceptible to UV
disintegration. There are some liquid crystals, which are specially design for outdoors
application that is more UV resistance. When use with UV blocking polarizer, the LCD
can be resistance to ultra violet damage.

Finding a UV Blocking polarizer from a manufacturer like 3M should be relatively easy. With a quick search I found this product:
http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Fade-Control-Blocking-Window/dp/B000KWRQA0

The product is intended for use on windows but it looks like if the issue is UV disintegration of the LCD crystal this may help. I'm just not sure one could find a small quantity, at least of the film found. The good news is that it is relatively cheep at around $30 which may be worth the aggravation of replacing the LCD screen......at least one would have plenty of material to work with... ::025::


Next week I will try to remember to talk directly to some LCD manufacturers to find out more....

 

[JRE]

I'd be willing to bet that the plastic on the display is UV coated.

 

[Jeff Milleman]

If it was coated with uv film one would think it wouldn't fade like i here ! I live in South Florida and haven,t had this problem... yet, I had my truck windsheld done with the 3M and will do the s10 just because.. Its a great product. I am sure you can get it from the last post i saw , if not I can get as much as needed ...

 

[JRE]

It's not necessarily the UV rays...it's the heat.

 

[Shovelhead]

temperature is temperature. Screen don't flake out when it's hot in the shade, only after the Sun been beating on it.

 

[JRE]

Temperature is temperature, but in the shade it would never near what it reaches in the direct sun...regardless of the UV component. Most cars have UV coated windows...spend an hour in the shade in the car with the windows up and another hour in the sun and see the temp difference.