FAQ: Are Crystalfontz LCD Modules Waterproof?

This is a frequent question for our tech team: What displays (if any) are waterproof?

Answer: It’s complicated.

It is technically possible, but not without some work to ensure the water stays out.

The display itself is sealed, but not sealed in a way that would be friendly to submerging it in a liquid. The polarizer film on the top protects the glass a bit, but it’s not up to protecting the display from submersion. Basically, you will need to put the display into some type of enclosure to survive submersion in liquid.

Additionally, the polarizers used on the outside of the LCD and OLED are susceptible to absorbing water. For instance, if a drop of water is left on the display, it can turn the polarizer cloudy where the water is absorbed.

The Key To Safe Waterproofing

To ensure that the display can be safely submerged in liquid, you need to waterproof all of the electronics — including the display — inside a case. This is not a simple task, especially if there are keypads or connectors in the design.

For the display, you will want a thin piece of Lexan, or other clear polycarbonite in front of the display that is sealed to the enclosure. Depending on your needs for protection, 0.010 inch to 0.030 inch is the range we suggest.

It Can Be Done

Here are examples of mods created by our customers to create water-resistant (metal) and waterproof (plastic) cases for Crystalfontz 633 keypad LCD modules.