Issues with soft keys on DS1052E (Rigol scope) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 04:55:49 am
content: Hi all,As the title suggests I am trying to repair the soft-keys on my Rigol DS1052E scope.I have used the scope very little, and now the soft keys do not work. I have to push them so hard that I feel like I am going to break the board behind them. Most of them just do not function at all. I haven't modified the scope at all. The knobs work well.I have pulled the front panel off and given it a wipe down checked for any thing loose. Nothing looks brand new.I have run the scope for 30 - 60 minutes maybe if its lucky.I purchased it maybe 3 years ago of a site that EEVblog recommended (Emona) so not a cheap eBay knock off.Anyone have any ideas how I can get my scope into a usable state again?

author: ElektronikLabor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 09:35:00 pm
content: When all soft-keys are affected than maybe it's not a problem of the keys itself.Did you check the connectors and plugs?

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 06:28:16 am
content: I might have to pull it apart again but I didn't think it would be a connection thing since some of them work when I push them rather hard

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 06:53:34 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on December 16, 2014, 06:28:16 amIf the pads under the membrane are clean, there could be another cause asmedvedevstates.Try bridging the pads while apart and powered on, that might confirm a connection problem, not membrane.Trace the pads connections to see if you can find a common connection that might point to a group of bottons that won't work. Check for cracked traces/PCB.Not sure on the 1052E setup, but there is often a loom or ribbon cable from the front panel PCB to the main board. Check the soldering of the sockets for cracked or bad joints.Write stuff down, make diagrams.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:01:49 am
content: I can short the pads out and the buttons work, but even if i jiggle the membrane around whilst pushing they work 10% of the time.Should i clean the board with some acetone? also clean the membrane with acetone? last time i just tried to wipe with a lint free cloth.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:40:20 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on December 16, 2014, 07:01:49 amDon't know about Acetone, generally you would clean the pads with IPA.Membrane, I resist touching them at all. Others might offer advice.If you can isolate the problem to the membrane, there might be ways to rejuvenate it or otherwise replace it.Are there any keys/buttons that work reliably?Take measurements across the carbon and compare it with those that don't.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:49:58 am
content: Look on eBay for button repair kits, which are a load of carbon buttons and some superglue, along with some small scalpel blades to cut the old ones off then placing new ones on.http://www.ebay.com/itm/key-pad-repair-KIT-for-all-types-of-remote-keyboards-with-rubber-pads-/181584290379?pt=US_Remote_Controls&hash=item2a4744624bLike this one.

author: ashley.hughes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 07:58:07 am
content: I scrubbed the hell out of the buttons and pcb with acetone got it work!Don't know how it got dirty enough to stop functioning correctly considering the lack of use. Cheers for the help guys

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 08:03:26 am
content: Quote from: ashley.hughes on December 16, 2014, 07:58:07 amAny time I've tried that it's only made things worse.SeanBhas offered a solution if it all turns to poo.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2014, 08:18:51 am
content: Cheap alternative is to take kitchen foil and use some contact adhesive spray to bond the dull side to a sheet of paper, then use a paper punch to make foil confetti buttons that you then place over the existing ones using some acetoxy free silicone rubber as an adhesive. Works in a pinch.