The Museum of HP Calculators

HP Forum Archive 04

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Strange HP-41 IR Module Problem
Message #1 Posted by Mike on 18 Dec 2000, 10:59 p.m.

I have a couple of HP-41 (several actually). I also have an IR module that I would like to use in port 3. But, in the calculator that I want to use it in, it won't work in port 1 or 3. By "not work" I mean it does not show up with Cat 2.

I have several other modules that I used for testing. Here is what I have determined:

Calculator 1: 1) All modules (except IR) work in all ports. 2) IR module works in all ports in calculator 1.

Calculator 2 (the one I want to use it in): 1) All modules (except IR) work in all ports. 2) IR module won't work in port 1 or 3 but does work in 2 or 4.

I thought this might be a connection problem and formed the module contacts for more contact, with same results.

So, it might not be a connection problem. Is there some other explanation that I might be overlooking? I have tried the module without any other modules inserted, just in case there was some conflict.

      
Re: Strange HP-41 IR Module Problem
Message #2 Posted by db (martinez, california) on 18 Dec 2000, 11:41 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by Mike

you got me curious so i tried the same in my full nut cx and blank nut cx (half nut). it works in all ports and i get this order in cat 2 with the ir mod alone: time 2c, cx time, printer 3b, ext fcn 2d, cx ext fcn. // btw, last weekend i heard that hp is discontinuing the ir printer. is this news or am i 5 years late again?

            
I guess what I'm wondering now is...
Message #3 Posted by Mike on 19 Dec 2000, 11:16 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by db (martinez, california)

Are there contacts, in the port, that are used by my IR module, that are not used by other modules.

It looks like all my module contacts must be making contact. So what I'm trying to figure out is why the IR module does not work in slot 1 and 3 but all other modules DO work in those slots.

I have formed the contacts in the IR module to guarantee that all contacts make.

When I use the IR module in 1 and 3 I don't see the Printer 3B that you see. but in 2 and 4, I do.

                  
Re: I guess what I'm wondering now is...
Message #4 Posted by John Robinson (Australia) on 19 Dec 2000, 8:54 p.m.,
in response to message #3 by Mike

Mike, I had a similar problem just the other day with the PPC ROM module, it would work in two ports, 1 & 3 or 2 & 4, I can't remember which ones exactly, but I had to replace the whole contact block with a new one to get it to work in all ports. Cheers, John

                        
Gee, that sounds like fun!
Message #5 Posted by Mike on 20 Dec 2000, 11:30 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by John Robinson (Australia)

That would suggest a contact mating problem, or a broken trace (which seems unlikely). It's not a big deal because I can just put my IR module in another slot. But I was hoping to keep it in slot 3 so that I can keep it on along with the card reader.

I'll look at the contacts a little closer, thanks.

                              
Re: Gee, that sounds like fun!
Message #6 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina) on 20 Dec 2000, 12:32 p.m.,
in response to message #5 by Mike

Does the card reader "body" affect the IR path? I suppose (only guessing) that the card reader may cause sort of a shadow or tunnel that may impair the IR emissions...

                                    
No, 'Printer' does not even show up in Catalog
Message #7 Posted by Mike on 20 Dec 2000, 2:23 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina)

nt

                                    
Re: Gee, that sounds like fun!
Message #8 Posted by db (martinez, california) on 21 Dec 2000, 9:36 p.m.,
in response to message #6 by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina)

andres; it dosn't seem to have the full 40 degree span but it does work with both sitting on the same table and pointed reasonably well at each other.


[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall