Replacing gain/xenarc buttons?

Will Albers · 08-31-2005, 02:26 PM

So i have been trying to piece together a Xenarc touch screen for a while. This is the 2nd time I have gotten screwed (dont even ask)

Basically what i have is a good screen and LCD kit, but a hacked controller board. The guy who i bought it from mounted it without the case and used some weird extra board for the buttons. It looks like he removed the original buttons on the circuit board and replaced it with wires connected to a different board.

Basically, i need to replace the buttons on the circuit board (think board with no buttons soldered to it). Where can i order the buttons? Can i order a new control board? (the board with the buttons on it)

Will Albers · 09-02-2005, 08:42 AM

Still in need. Does anyone have a broken or cracked Xenarc?

Scouse Monkey · 09-02-2005, 08:54 AM

The likely reason your board has buttons removed is that is was probably in a digitalww indash housing. (look at thier site for pictures on the mod).

You can buy a xenarc board but it will cost you a lot. Just get some tactile buttons and solder them back onto the board. it aint hard.

You just need to get the right height buttons (look at the digitalww pics to work this out).

evandude · 09-02-2005, 08:54 AM

edit: took a look at the digitalww guide pics.

you can probably find some suitable buttons from digikey or mouser... and they shouldn't be too hard to solder in (easy enough to find a forum member to do it for you if you don't feel confident soldering them yourself)

just get some measurements of the buttons and finding a replacement should be no problem. if you don't have the original buttons at all, find someone on here with a xenarc to measure theirs for you.

if all else fails, you could try emailing xenarc and see if they will sell you some switches, or at least give you some info on them so you can buy them somewhere.

Rundell · 09-02-2005, 09:39 AM

Also, perhaps contact digitalww. He will for sure have what you are looking for since he was the one that probably took them off.

Scouse Monkey · 09-02-2005, 09:44 AM

he normally cuts em off i think. easier than desoldering and less damaging to the board. I soldered some buttons onto my xenarc as i had the same thing.

Will Albers · 09-05-2005, 10:26 AM

I appreciate the responses. If anyone has some time, i could use some measuremements. Can anyone tell me the height of the stock swithches? I'd like to order the proper height buttons.

In regards to Armen, he's a good guy, but I'd prefer not to deal with him. I had an issue with the first screen I tried to purchase.

jwexqm · 09-07-2005, 06:56 PM

I've taken the buttons off my Xenarc (I need to hold on to them though)

I've taken a close up shot of one of them with the critical height of the button rod annotated. I believe these PCB buttons are easy to come by from the usual electronic parts places. If you need more measurements or require a continuity check performing on the button then let me know.

Will Albers · 09-08-2005, 07:02 AM

thanks so much!!

Scouse Monkey · 09-08-2005, 07:12 AM

oops, forgot to take a screen apart, sorry.

those buttons are pretty standard and radioshack should have them.

of the 4 legs remember they are in pairs so when you solder them back in make sure you get the right or it will be like the switch is permanantly pressed. from memory (although it has been a while) i think you want the common legs at the top and the bottom - ie the top two holes int e board are the same and likewise for the bottom - but check with a meter 1st before you fit the switch.

oh hang on...will jsut check the digitalww site....

yeah if you look at this picture

from digitalww.com

then you can see the bottom legs are joined by a line of copper.

Will Albers · 09-08-2005, 07:42 AM

excellent...

I was just looking at Mouser and saw this page:
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/623/1083.pdf

I think i need a few more measurements to select the proper one (correct?)

basically l, w and total height? or are the 6mm shaft just the switch cap as seen on the bottom?

(sorry for the hand holding necessity, never done anything like this before)

Scouse Monkey · 09-08-2005, 08:02 AM

thats easy. from the mouser cat you showed i would say style A with 9.5mm total height. check the hole measurements from your board but the should be correct

Will Albers · 09-08-2005, 11:23 AM

no luck on radio shack, but i just ordered from Mouser. Thanks a ton!