Now that's a pretty interesting idea! Need to use an isolation
transformer, though. I am looking for a simple converter I could run
of a battery. I looked at SIPEX chips but I didn't feel like sourcing
them for just a couple of pieces plus they're SOIC only for all I can
see.

> The cheapest and dirtiest way to do it is with AC out of the wall, either
> 110 or 220 volts. Use a resistor to limit the current! I do not remember
> the values I have used, but 100k ohms when running from 110 volts will not
> get you into any trouble, and decrease the resistor to increase brightness
> to the point that the backlighting burns out, then increase the resistir
> value and start with a new backlight module :-) I seem to recall 1k ohms
> was the value at which death of the module started.