Repair of Ersa soldering station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: on4top
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 09:25:01 pm
content: I'm repairing an ersa Eicon Soldering station .Replaced LCDReplaced Rotarty encoder with ALPS ( i had laying arround probably chinese clone not sure )Seems to work fine , only the direction of the rotary encoder is wrong .Removed it again en soldered some wires and switch A & B .. fixed .So it must be a rotarty encoder with other pinouts .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjYOXSNe7Vk&feature=youtu.beAny tips what rotary encoder is should order ?alps & bourns i find seem to have same pinout .Other option is cut pcb tracks and cross the tracks with some wires ..

author: KL27x
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 10:17:27 pm
content: If it works, hey ho, stop right there. Cut the tracks and be done with it.Unless you can find the exact right encoder, you're taking a gamble. Even if the stepping is correct, the bounciness of the encoder may be totally different than the one that was spec'd.This problem with Ersa is disheartening. I am starting to feel like every mechanical encoder is destined for failure. I think the only thing I own where this hasn't happened are my digital scopes. And that may be due to how frequently I use them.I'm pretty sure an encoder emulator utilizing up and down buttons is in my future. So I can fix things like my Korad power supply once and for good. 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.0... 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.0...

author: on4top
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2017, 10:23:01 pm
content: might do that .. but still it wonders me why this is the case ..usual you have A C B or B C A .. can"t seem to find any explanation ( it fits in the pcb like a glove )i think i order 2 different ones and test them ( alps /bourns etc )or maybe someone who has and ersa can check i there is any type readable ?Orginal encoder is in the garbage and was full of silicone ( some one did a lousy job trying to fix )

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 03:39:38 am
content: Where did you get the LCD? Mine could use a replacement after something got smacked into the screen. (Kids, grrr).

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 05:11:37 am
content: Quote from: on4top on June 08, 2017, 09:25:01 pmif you can't find the proper switch, don't cut the tracks, instead cut the pins flush on the switch, and solder the wires to the correct pads. solder two heavy wires to the sides of the switch and into to support pads. this way you can replace it with the proper switch if you later find one,

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 07:31:35 am
content: Did you get an original Ersa display?What was wrong with the display?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 08:27:54 am
content: Quote from: eKretz on June 10, 2017, 03:39:38 amIt's an off the shelve 128x64 LCD, there is no issue to buy original or compatible display.

author: on4top
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 10:23:56 am
content: The display is a real pain to get ..Ersa doesn't sell it .. you have to buy a new PCB .. 150 euro ..I also could not find any drop in replacement in China ( ali / ebay )I could find some Chip on Glas displays 128 x 64 but other connections .Did not want to fidle with lcd connector on the Ersa pcb ..to maybe "make" it work .After some googling the only one i could find was this onehttp://www.orientlcd.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMG12864PR-G-B12WTDWPrice is ok until you checkout .. 100$ shipping to Belgium ! ( mailed that company .. they did not could offer a cheaper solution to send me )I have send it to a friend who lives in USA for 8$ and he send it me to Belgium via USPS ( 13,50$ )So total cost is 13,50 + 8 + 13,50 = 35$ ... still enough but it fits like a glove as you can see ..Btw good tip about the rotary enoder .. more elegant solution might do that ( cut pins of encoder itsel en solder 2 small wires to the pcb )

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2017, 11:00:53 am
content: Nice find on the display.I have spent the 150 euro before at Ersa for a PCB replacement to get a new display.

author: watchmaker
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 08:10:20 pm
content: FWIW, Digi-Key has these displays for $19; drop fit.https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/orient-display/AMG12864PR-G-B12WTDW/11698186