I created a couple of scripts to easily change the LCD and Keyboard brightness from the command line. They unfortunately need to be run as root, but with the rootnexus image, we can do some modifications to get it working as a regular user.
Gain root access from the command line:
op shell
Change directory:
cd /usr/bin
Then download the scripts:
wget http://www.mozzwald.com/sites/default/files/lcd
wget http://www.mozzwald.com/sites/default/files/keys
Make them executable:
chmod +x keys lcd
Now we need to edit the "op" config file and allow it to run as normal user:
nano /etc/op/op.conf
Add the following to the end of the file:
lcd /bin/sh -c "/usr/bin/lcd $1";
users=PRIVILEGED
environment
#
keys /bin/sh -c "/usr/bin/keys $1";
users=PRIVILEGED
environment
Press CTRL-X to save the file and quit nano. Type "exit" to quit root access. Now try it out like this:
op lcd high
op keys med
The scripts accept max, high, med, low, or a number from 1-255. You can edit the scripts to change max, high, med, and low to your preferred setting.

my battery is cooling off now
Thank you so much for providing this information. My battery was lasting less than two hours. The poor little zipit was hot to the touch also. Your instructions are perfect. Thanks again.
Thank you so much! I used
Thank you so much!
I used your instructions and they were great. I did use Aliosas userland image, which apparently doesn't come with op, so in that case you just type:
apt-get install opIdle
Anyway to lower the lcd and keys when there is no keyboard activity?
Power Management
If you're using the rootnexus image there is power management built in that shuts them off if you close the lid and turns them on when open. The script may run on another image with some tweaking. You can check out an older version of it here. The newer version has better lid detection and should be in the latest image.
You can also add this to your .xinitrc file:
xset dpms 0 0 90 &
Change the 90 to how ever many seconds before the screen goes blank.