Looking for a PANAPLEX display driver module

[Richard Nicewonger]

Hello all,

Does anyone have any knowledge of these packaged electronic circuits (PEC’s) that

are used in VICTOR calculators with PANAPLEX displays? The VICTOR part number is

shown in big numbers and the smaller number's significance is unknown. I have a unit

that is missing the top-left segment (f segment) in all digit positions. Tracing backwards

and comparing to working circuits, I believe the problem is originating at one of these PEC’s.

There are 8 of these used to drive each segment plus the DP. Each also has 2 digit

drivers for the 16 digit display. This means each module serves three functions!

Does anyone know of a source or have any that they would be willing to sell?

I only need one but would consider multiples. I also would consider a boneyard calc that

uses these. Thanks in advance for any help that you can offer.

Rich

 

[Dekatron42]

Burroughs used similar modules (as did probably other companies too) in some of their designs. I think it should not be to hard to reverse engineer the design and make your own similar modules if necessary.

Have you tried to swap two modules to see if the fault follows the module?

Do you have the schematic for the caluclator?

 /Martin

[David Forbes]

Richard,

I have never, not once in my long life, seen a data sheet for, much less spare units of, modules of this sort as used in calculators. They were designed for a very specific purpose for OEM customers and not published. 

You could get really lucky and find them, but don't expect to. 

Your best bet is to figure out the input and output signal pins, voltages and currents, then make an equivalent circuit with modern parts that does the same job. 

I have a Sony calculator that's packed full of these things. It works now. I don't think I'd be able to repair it if it fails.

On Sun, Sep 26, 2021, 12:16 PM Richard Nicewonger <nice...@optonline.net> wrote:

Hello all,

Does anyone have any knowledge of these packaged electronic circuits (PEC’s) that are used in VICTOR calculators with PANAPLEX displays? ...

[Richard Nicewonger]

Hi Martin,

I’m sure Burroughs used (and maybe designed) these modules since the Panaplex was their creation.

I have a schematic for a similar Victor calc model 18-1721 and mine is 18-1441. They are mostly identical

except the 1721 has scientific functions and somewhat different logic but the display circuitry seems to

follow what I have in mine. The thought of a module swap had occurred to me and I will probably do it if

I can’t get a replacement. The thing is, it would only verify if the part is indeed bad - not how to get a

replacement if it is. Group member Ira also suggested using discrete parts. There is a hint of what is

inside the segment driver portion of the module shown on the schematic but not all 9 parts are ID'd.

I’m going to wait a little while for a possible replacement and, failing that, I will probably try the part swap

to at least verify my suspicions. Thanks to you and Ira for all the good suggestions.

All the best,

Rich

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[Mac Doktor]

On Sep 26, 2021, at 4:07 PM, Dekatron42 <martin....@gmail.com> wrote:

I think it should not be to hard to reverse engineer the design and make your own similar modules if necessary.

Is there a convenient way to remove the encapsulating material? I've seen this done with other equipment. Typically potted in some sort of epoxy.

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"

https://www.astarcloseup.com

“...the book said something astonishing, a very big thought. The stars, it said, were suns but very far away. The Sun was a star but close up.”—Carl Sagan, "The Backbone Of Night", Cosmos, 1980

[Richard Nicewonger]

David,

Yes, that is exactly what I have thought about and it is what it is. Sometimes I get lucky with things like this and sometimes not.

I also have a Sony Sobax calc that is, for the most part, a doorstop. There isn’t a single IC that I can identify - and there must be

near 100 of ‘em. All it does is read “0” on all Nixies. I have a better shot at fixing the Victor! I thank you for the advice.

Rich

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[Richard Nicewonger]

Hi Terry,

I have never seen it done with this type of “hard forming” dipped encapsulation.

There might be the chance of dissolving the innards along with the epoxy!

I’ve seen epoxy that fills a mold to cover parts and I think that is dissolvable

but I can’t be sure. In any case, this is going to require more investigation so I

can choose the best course of action. Thank you for the suggestion.

All the best,

Rich

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[Bill Stanley]

I would agree that dis-encapsulating would be a long shot. Many years ago I worked with a company (MuRata?) to create a PLL module for a HDD controller.

The module was a SIP,  like yours designed on a thin ceramic substrate. Resistors were screen printed on the ceramic while caps, ICs transistors and the pins were soldered.

A ceramic-like coating something like powder coating covered the module. That coating was very tough. If they were dropped sometimes a small chip came off but that was it.

If you have access to an oscilloscope, by probing all of the pin you can get an idea of where the (low voltage) inputs, the DC powers and the HV outputs are and what what the relationships ((levels, inversions etc) are. With that information a compatible driver can probably be created. (For extra credit, design a PCB to replace the module)

   -Bill-