On Thu, Dec 3, 2015 at 1:05 PM, Ali <[email protected]> wrote: > So I got my hands on an HP 88780 1/2" Tape Drive... > > The bad news: > > Some of the front panel buttons are not working. Running test 72 shows > failure in the unload/rewind and online buttons. Luckily it seems to be a > mechanical problem. If I short the switch on the circuit board then the test > passes. The switches are mechanical push buttons that are soldered on so > should be easy to replace. Anyone know of a good or OEM equivalent > replacement? If need be I can get pictures of the buttons off the PCB.
I have been recently cleaning and testing an HP 7980A. I also had problems with some of the mechanical buttons, verified with TEST 72. I was able to clean most of them with contact cleaner and agitation, but the ONLINE button was stubborn. I ended up replacing it with a generic 2-pin tactile switch. I do not know where to get OEM switches of this exact type - they are somewhat taller than cheap tactile switches, and appear to have a solid conductive rubber button/pad instead of a plastic top and metal internals. My defective button has a closed resistance measuring in multiple K ohms. I would also love to hear of a source of replacement buttons of the original style. -ethan
