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Sanjeev Visvanatha · 09-25-2015, 11:50 PM

Is it common for a Ti-59 card reader to work after 34 years of non-use?

A specimen I came across did just that, as I read a card and printed out the program listing on the attached printer. The calculator had been stored for that period of time attached to the printer and under a dust cover.

I was surprised.

This one is missing the manuals and battery pack. Is there a source to buying a replacement battery pack that anyone may know of?

TASP · 09-26-2015, 01:26 AM

It was my recollection from long ago the 'big' difficulty with TI card readers was a card made on one machine wouldn't load onto another machine.

If TI managed to use a stable material for the grip wheel and clutch mechanism, I could see it might be fine. Apparently the unit didn't have any significant dust/grime/crud buildup over the years, and maybe it wasn't used much 'back in the day' ??

jebem · 09-27-2015, 02:35 PM

(09-25-2015 11:50 PM)Sanjeev Visvanatha Wrote: Is it common for a Ti-59 card reader to work after 34 years of non-use?

In my humble opinion Texas 59's card reader was designed to last.
The card reader is heavy, and there is a reason - Good old quality materials, starting with a excellent 4-track magnetic head, a strong motor, a full metal gearbox, a capstan and pinch roller that will not wear easily, even the open air switch sensors are meant to last ages.
However, the motor speed may need proper speed adjustment in order to successful read old magnetic cards, specially after a maintenance procedure.

If people here allows me to quote myself, here is my report on the 59 internals here.
I acquired one of my Texas TI-59 along with a few written cards, and it could read them at this try, after some 30+ years stored in a shelf and being victim of battery leaking abuse.

(09-25-2015 11:50 PM)Sanjeev Visvanatha Wrote: This one is missing the manuals and battery pack. Is there a source to buying a replacement battery pack that anyone may know of?

Concerning the battery pack, it is easy to replace the old batteries with new NiCd ones as long as you still have the original battery door.
Or you may just acquire another Texas, for instance a 58 to use as a donor.
It is possible to find them at a low cost.
I have done that a couple of times for exactly the same reason.

matthiaspaul · 09-27-2015, 10:59 PM

I haven't checked recently (it's stored away), but the last time I used my TI Programmable 59 a couple of years ago the magnet stripe reader and the program modules still worked fine.

Unfortunately, the PC-100C printer went dead beyond repair in the mid 1990s, and I had to replace the calculator's NiCd batteries around the same time.

Greetings,

Matthias

Sanjeev Visvanatha · 09-29-2015, 03:04 AM

(09-26-2015 01:26 AM)TASP Wrote: It was my recollection from long ago the 'big' difficulty with TI card readers was a card made on one machine wouldn't load onto another machine.

If TI managed to use a stable material for the grip wheel and clutch mechanism, I could see it might be fine. Apparently the unit didn't have any significant dust/grime/crud buildup over the years, and maybe it wasn't used much 'back in the day' ??

It was well stored over the years, but used well during the few years it was a main tool. I consider myself lucky in any case.

Sanjeev Visvanatha · 09-29-2015, 03:05 AM

(09-27-2015 02:35 PM)jebem Wrote:
(09-25-2015 11:50 PM)Sanjeev Visvanatha Wrote: Is it common for a Ti-59 card reader to work after 34 years of non-use?

In my humble opinion Texas 59's card reader was designed to last.
The card reader is heavy, and there is a reason - Good old quality materials, starting with a excellent 4-track magnetic head, a strong motor, a full metal gearbox, a capstan and pinch roller that will not wear easily, even the open air switch sensors are meant to last ages.
However, the motor speed may need proper speed adjustment in order to successful read old magnetic cards, specially after a maintenance procedure.

If people here allows me to quote myself, here is my report on the 59 internals here.
I acquired one of my Texas TI-59 along with a few written cards, and it could read them at this try, after some 30+ years stored in a shelf and being victim of battery leaking abuse.

(09-25-2015 11:50 PM)Sanjeev Visvanatha Wrote: This one is missing the manuals and battery pack. Is there a source to buying a replacement battery pack that anyone may know of?

Concerning the battery pack, it is easy to replace the old batteries with new NiCd ones as long as you still have the original battery door.
Or you may just acquire another Texas, for instance a 58 to use as a donor.
It is possible to find them at a low cost.
I have done that a couple of times for exactly the same reason.

This is missing the original battery door, as it was found still connected to the printer after all these years. I will have to find a suitable donor for that. Thank you.

Dieter · 09-29-2015, 07:48 PM

(09-29-2015 03:05 AM)Sanjeev Visvanatha Wrote: This is missing the original battery door, as it was found still connected to the printer after all these years. I will have to find a suitable donor for that. Thank you.

Just to be sure: The PC100C had a special compartment for storing and charging the standard TI58/59 battery pack... ;-)

But I am sure you already checked this, didn't you?

Dieter

Sanjeev Visvanatha · 10-01-2015, 01:43 AM

(09-29-2015 07:48 PM)Dieter Wrote: Just to be sure: The PC100C had a special compartment for storing and charging the standard TI58/59 battery pack... ;-)

But I am sure you already checked this, didn't you?

Dieter

Yes, I did find this little spot, and verified that the battery pack is not there. Thank you.