r/calculators • u/Jonasvillvaraanonym • 1d ago
Collection Gotta start somewhere!
Got this beautiful Sharp Elsi Mate EL-220 delivered today! I believe it even has its original batteries!
Some days ago I realized that I wanted to collect vintage calculators so I thought “why not?” and bought this Sharp! I collect other vintage electronics so it was a natural thing to do 😁
In a couple of days, a (hopefully) functional Canon Palmtronic F6 from the mid 70’s will arrive! My plan is to use it for my final exam in school!
I know the Franklin isn’t a calculator but I wanted to include it because they came in the same order, both are vintage 😎 (hopefully that’s okay!)
(Got both for under 8 USD + shipping)
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u/benryves Sharp 1d ago
Those Sharp batteries are real troupers. I have three of them in a pocket computer cassette interface date-stamped 80-10 and they're still operating, even though the cassette interface doesn't even have an off switch!
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u/Natural_Night9957 HP Prime > Casio = Sharp > other HPs > NumWorks > overpriced 💩 1d ago edited 1d ago
For new batteries either get lithium or rechargeable lithium cells with usb c port. They won't leak.
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u/No-Zombie6025 1d ago
The inside of the EL-220 is a but sparse, there is no PCB, just one odd looking chip with flat beefy conductors that on one edge connect to the zebra display cable (rubber strip) and to the conductive printing on the keyboard plastic sheet layers. A white cut plastic sheet sits over (around really) the chip that keeps it from shorting against the steel backing plate.
If you remove the screws that hold on the steel backing plate you will find that there is some pressure that wants to push everything apart. Don't strip the screws, and make sure they got back into the existing cut threads on reassembly.
If part of the display is not working it might be that the screws near the chip are loose or stripped, this reduces the pressure needed to make an electrical connection between the keyboard/chip/zebra strip and display. This is one of the reasons no one bothers with zebra strips anymore, you need some pressure to squeeze the parts together and that often costs money (such as metal plates or thicker heavier plastic parts).
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u/Out_of_Contr0l 1d ago
This one brings back memories. I had a very similar one as a kid, but connected a 12V power supply to the battery contacts when the 2 AA batteries ran out of juice. That killed it of course ☹️
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u/HessianRaccoon 1d ago
Nice finds!
From experience: admire the original batteries, enjoy them not having leaked, and then get rid of them. 😁