Thread: Nanocom Screen Failure

Won’t be able to fix the LCD screen. Search for a local electronics repairer and ask if they can replace the screen, hopfully it is a common generic unit. – be worth asking nanocom if they can supply a replacement screen to be fitted locally, but they may not want anyone opening it.

Originally Posted by harlie

Won’t be able to fix the LCD screen. Search for a local electronics repairer and ask if they can replace the screen, hopfully it is a common generic unit. – be worth asking nanocom if they can supply a replacement screen to be fitted locally, but they may not want anyone opening it.

Yes been down that warrenty thing, long story, but yeah I did think of that and we are waiting for a reply, trouble is, it is a 3mth turn around

Baz.

So you could jump up and down and expect Nanocom to fix it and wait 3 or more months. Or find a local electronics specialist, once the unit is opened it will be easy to see what screen it is and find out if they are readily available – I’ll be very surprised if it isn’t a generic part.
Personally – If Nanocom don’t want it as warranty – I’d open it myself. And I would also check weather I could buy a new screen from nanocom - I never suggested that they supply it for free - I just look at getting items operational again.

My evacool fridge stopped after a week of use (1 month old) I called them and they wanted me to send the unit back to Sunny Coast. Hang on the circuit breaker is just throwing out, checked current across it and it’s all good – they sent me a new breaker (arrived by courier same day), I installed it and its back running a lot quicker than if I’d jumped up and down and demand it fixed….. I know that example is different to a nanocom screen because if you don't have the confidence to pull it apart you need to pay someone - but how long do you want it out of action (can you still use it with laptop?)

Point is for the sake of a screen (they are cheep) it may be worth just paying to have it done.

Originally Posted by harlie

So you could jump up and down and expect Nanocom to fix it and wait 3 or more months. Or find a local electronics specialist, once the unit is opened it will be easy to see what screen it is and find out if they are readily available – I’ll be very surprised if it isn’t a generic part.
Personally – If Nanocom don’t want it as warranty – I’d open it myself. And I would also check weather I could buy a new screen from nanocom - I never suggested that they supply it for free - I just look at getting items operational again.

My evacool fridge stopped after a week of use (1 month old) I called them and they wanted me to send the unit back to Sunny Coast. Hang on the circuit breaker is just throwing out, checked current across it and it’s all good – they sent me a new breaker (arrived by courier same day), I installed it and its back running a lot quicker than if I’d jumped up and down and demand it fixed….. I know that example is different to a nanocom screen because if you don't have the confidence to pull it apart you need to pay someone - but how long do you want it out of action (can you still use it with laptop?)

Point is for the sake of a screen (they are cheep) it may be worth just paying to have it done.

Yep and that is what we have done, a local electronic guy (semi retired)reckons he should be able to fix it, so we dropped it off yesterday arvo.

Baz.

Hiyta Redback
2 x 16 screens are always quite generic.
However there are 2 versions, type one, where the 16 pin connector at the short end of the display is a 2 x 8 and the other, type 2, where they are on the long end and all 16 pins are in a row offset to one end.

Having pulled a Nanocom to bits several months before production started i can tell you that it used a type 2.
But that may have changed so you best look just in case

Otherwise, you can get either one from most electronics shops.

That being said, these displays are not really prone to failure. We have supplied them in over 500 items without one going wrong, so perhaps you simply have a soldering issue.

Its certainly worth a good look first to see.
The main PIC processor the Nanocom uses is surface mount and it is hand soldered.
As well as examining the 16 display connections, Take a strong pointed pin and use it to effectively pluck each pin of the main square CPU looking for any sign of sideways or upward movement. Any pin soldered to the board wont move, but if one shows some deflection then it needs re soldering is all.

best of luck chap
warmest Regards

Colin

Originally Posted by BBS Guy

Hiyta Redback
2 x 16 screens are always quite generic.
However there are 2 versions, type one, where the 16 pin connector at the short end of the display is a 2 x 8 and the other, type 2, where they are on the long end and all 16 pins are in a row offset to one end.

Having pulled a Nanocom to bits several months before production started i can tell you that it used a type 2.
But that may have changed so you best look just in case

Otherwise, you can get either one from most electronics shops.

That being said, these displays are not really prone to failure. We have supplied them in over 500 items without one going wrong, so perhaps you simply have a soldering issue.

Its certainly worth a good look first to see.
The main PIC processor the Nanocom uses is surface mount and it is hand soldered.
As well as examining the 16 display connections, Take a strong pointed pin and use it to effectively pluck each pin of the main square CPU looking for any sign of sideways or upward movement. Any pin soldered to the board wont move, but if one shows some deflection then it needs re soldering is all.

best of luck chap
warmest Regards

Colin

Mate thanks for this, I'll pass this on to the electronics guy.

Baz.

Well it's all good for the Nanocom, the elec guy has gotten a new screen from Dick Smith for $2 and he has also increased the contrast as well (Jaycar wanted $35 for the same screen) it's a type 2 16 point and very common.

Baz.

Hiya Baz (Redback)

I can but only hope my little input helped with your electronics guy deciding to look for an alternative.

However the 1 X 16 connection (type 2 as i referred to it) is a bit out of fashion now.
The later and now more common 2 x 8 end connection allows for a much slimmer case design.

However the connections themselves are not rocket science. Ground, 5V, 8 data lines, a couple of control lines and a couple more that can be grounded or at 5V too gives you all you need. There is a lot of on line documentation about the connectivity

The data lines don't like being extending over a few CM's or so but if you wanted to extend the display and switches out of the cumbersome case of the Nanocom to a more desirable or custom set up it is entirely providable with no more than a bit of cheap ribbon cable.

If anyone wants to do this and requires a bit more help, please know i am at your disposal.