Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

4ster · 05-19-2015, 01:30 PM

Yesterday I tried to print a file and the printer kind of puked.

It tries to print but struggles to print a faint line and then locks up with a low buzz that sounds like a struggling motor. The calculator screen displays "printer error".
The battery is charged, showing 5.4 volts.

Are there any resources available like there is for card reader repair? I was able to fix my card reader using help offered on a couple of different web pages. So far I have not located anything covering repair of little thermal printer. I'm willing to tear into it blind, but I know the outcome would be better if I have a little tribal knowledge beforehand.

TASP · 05-19-2015, 02:14 PM

Do you have the ability to test the battery under the actual load ??

Open circuit voltage isn't that informative in distinguishing between a printer problem and a battery problem.

Or swap battery with a known good one . . .

4ster · (This post was last modified: 05-19-2015 02:53 PM by 4ster.)

(05-19-2015 02:14 PM)TASP Wrote: Do you have the ability to test the battery under the actual load ??

Open circuit voltage isn't that informative in distinguishing between a printer problem and a battery problem.

Or swap battery with a known good one . . .

I'll look around and see if I can dig up a resistor to put in series. Not that it rules anything out but this is a newly rebuilt battery pack.

TASP · 05-19-2015, 03:15 PM

A newly rebuilt battery pack would be unlikely to fail. I'm assuming it's a quality job and not something my younger brother cobbled up with duck tape and paperclips.

Poo, I was hoping for an easy fix. Hate seeing an 82162 with a problem.

Is paper roll OK ??

(grabbing at straws)

Dave Frederickson · (This post was last modified: 05-20-2015 01:34 AM by Dave Frederickson.)

The 82143A Service Manual is available on TOS, which should be close enough, and the schematic is available at the HP Computer Museum's site.

4ster · 05-21-2015, 12:44 AM

(05-19-2015 04:21 PM)Dave Frederickson Wrote: The 82143A Service Manual is available on TOS, which should be close enough, and the schematic is available at the HP Computer Museum's site.

I'm new here. I take it TOS is "The Other Site". I will look for it there.

Good news is that the problem was the rebuilt battery pack. It had been rebuilt by a local shop with a spot welder - they have built a number of battery packs for me. They screwed up on this one and there was an intermittent open short where the welds didn't take. Fixed now, the printer is working normally.

But I'll still look up that service manual, thanks.