Emulator IIIx : Repairs

Overview The Emulator IIIx is a reliable product thanks to the use of VLSI technology and a simple design. However after 10 years use a few things need replacing. The main problem areas are the original hard drive on TURBO models, the floppy drive, the PSU, the LCD and sliders and buttons.

Warning Please only attempt a repair yourself if you are competent at servicing electronics, use a service centre if in doubt. The EIIIx is easily damaged or melted by amateur attempts at repair.

LCD Overview The Emulator IIIx uses a 20x4 character LCD. We have not identified the exact LCD model (an Orion?), but a possible replacement (untested yet) is an Optrex DMC20434.

LCD Age After around 2000 hours use the LCD will need replacement, and its a good idea to replace the LCD whilst parts are still available.

LCD Inverter The LCD backlight (the blue colour) is driven by a small inverter that generates 100VAC at 400Hz from a 5V supply. The inverter is a NEC (NEL-D32-46), and its a small black plastic box that sits on the main digital board. The inverter can fail, which means no blue backlight, in which case it needs replacing.

 

 New floppy drives are still easy to find, although they are not the standard computer product.
We recommend the TEAC FD235HF-A529 which is in black and has jumpers for setting the ID to zero. These drives cost more than the typical PC component, but they can be found from some TEAC dealers. You will also need the correct 41 mm bezel in black which is about $3. Order it from a TEAC dealer or TEAC direct.

Buying
Try your loacl TEAC dealer
Or contact Route66 Studios

TEAC Disk Drive Jumper
Settings

We suspect these are buttons from e-switch, probably they are 320.02E1-1.08BLK.
 

The Emulator IIIx TURBO models used a range of different drives, typically Quantum ProDrives. They still can be located secondhand or even new.
 

The power supply is getting old by now and failure is not uncommon. One of the rails may go out of specification. Replacement PSU's are not available, so the best option is a service centre repair or you could use one or more new linear PSU's. We don't have the current rating of the original PSU.