HP Forum Archive 19

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SPICE question - repost Message #1 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 26 June 2009, 9:56 p.m. I asked this question previously, but received no replies, so I'm going to try again. I know somebody knows the answer. I am quite familiar with the construction and repair of Spice type 1 series calculators (HP3xE/C) with the un-soldered press-fit design, having fully disassembled/reassembled 8 different units. Most of the "repairs" have consisted of swapping interchangeable parts from different units. One of the most common problems is broken/damaged battery contacts and/or charger circuit board traces. Another less common problem is a damaged ribbon connector between the contacts board and the power circuitry board. On the Spice Type 1 series, the battery/charger contact assembly terminates at a ribbon connector extension to the power circuitry board, which is press-fit to the main circuit board. Therefore, it is possible to swap a bad assembly with a good one sourced from a different calculator. My question is whether this is possible with the later type 2 series with the soldered construction, or is the battery/charger contact assembly integral with the main circuit board? Thank you for your assistance, Michael

Re: SPICE question - repost Message #2 Posted by Randy on 27 June 2009, 9:58 a.m., in response to message #1 by Michael de Estrada The same battery connection contacts and flex circuit are used but in the case of type 2 units, it is soldered to the main board.

Re: SPICE question - repost Message #3 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 27 June 2009, 10:16 a.m., in response to message #2 by Randy Thank you. I was afraid that was the case. It appears from your photo that the LED array is soldered as well. This is beyond my soldering skills.

Re: SPICE question - repost Message #4 Posted by Randy on 27 June 2009, 10:31 a.m., in response to message #3 by Michael de Estrada Yes, everything is soldered. The power supply module is very difficult to remove/replace and I would normally repair the battery contacts in almost all cases unless the charger contacts are damaged. On units with bad LED arrays (which is very common, especially the right most digit) I simply cut all the pins individually then unsolder each one once the board is gone. Very easy to do. Trying to remove a good LED from a soldered unit for reuse is again, very difficult.

Re: SPICE question - repost Message #5 Posted by Hal Bitton in Boise on 27 June 2009, 10:23 a.m., in response to message #1 by Michael de Estrada Hi Michael, I repaired my "type 2" soldered machine about 2 years ago (a 34C)...there is indeed a ribbon connector between the two boards to which you referred. I seem to recall, however, that both ends of the ribbon connector's traces were all attached with what looked like tiny hollow rivets. Best regards, Hal

Re: SPICE question - repost Message #6 Posted by Randy on 27 June 2009, 5:23 p.m., in response to message #5 by Hal Bitton in Boise There are three hollow rivets on the battery connection board. Two hold the battery contacts in place, all three hold the flex circuit traces in contact with the pc board. On the other end, it is all solder connections as shown in the photo, no rivets there.

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