The lcd datasheet doesnt say much about anything.

i metered the lcd backlight, it seems to only pull .05 amps or 50 milliamps via the 11 ohm resistor at 4.9v from the 7805.

The only other things powered off the 7805 is the LCD itself, a pic 16F84a.

The current rating is 1amp on the 7805, no heatsink is attached.

Input voltage is between 12 and 18v. When the LCD backlight is unattached, the 7805 remains cool, the circuit and lcd function normally.

When the backlight is attached to +5 via the 11ohm resistor, the 7805 heats up quickly and i shut down the circuit as soon as it's too hot to touch.

no smoke yet... but i realized the 7805 was overheating when it smoked an electrolitic cap on teh 5v output. (the cap was almost touching the 7805)

lemme know what u think.