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Mep-805B CIM screen won't responded to keypad

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baxter462

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Okay,

in all my recent tinkering with the CIM's on my MEP-805B generators, I have learned a lot. One of my discoveries is that the keypad literally emulates a serial mouse. You can disconnect the keypad's db9 connector and plug in an old serial mouse instead and use that to move the cursor and make selections on the CIM's screen. This is an easy temporary solution for anyone with a bad keypad. I haven't tried a serial to ps/2 adapter with a ps/2 mouse, but I suspect it would work.

Since the data packets sent from an old mouse via rs232 are so well documented, it will be simple to make a replacement keypad with a few momentary push buttons and an arduino or similar programmable microcontroller. It isn't a high priority to me at the moment, but I will eventually build one and share it with everyone on here. In the meantime, the serial mouse trick should work. This will also make diagnosing a bad keypad much easier.
 
Last edited:
155mm

155mm

Chief and Indian
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Guyfang said:
There was a way to adjust the screen to be able to read it again, but naturally it was a big "secret". Only CECOM Reps could be intrusted with this delicate and intricate operation.

It amounted to hooking up a push button switch to a connector, plugging in the connector to an input connector on the CIM and pressing the button repeatedly until the light came back on in the CIM. I forget which two pins had to be jumped on the connector. If anyone ever has that problem, I can try and find out the information.
Click to expand...
Can you assist me in finding out which pins to jump to ground, the tb that you posted for the screen says:

Use the adjustment cable to set the contrast back to normal. To make the contrast
adjustment, attach the adjustment cable to P27 connection on the CIM and connect the
P31 power supply.

I dont have the adjustment cable, but if I knew which pins needed jumped, I could build one pretty quick.
 
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baxter462

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This is for the monochrome CIM I'm assuming? If I get some time, I'll tinker with mine and see if I can figure it out. I looked at the ribbon cable schematic in the TM, but it wasn't helpful.
 
Guyfang

Guyfang

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Sadly, you caught me on vacation. I am using a tablet without all my TM's and junk uploaded in it. I am in Garmisch for about 5-6 days. If no one can help you during this time, I will look it up when I get home. Sorry, I thought
I uploaded it in the 806B files, did you look.
 
155mm

155mm

Chief and Indian
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Baxter, its for #1, its color. It went for its first real ride, 800 miles, now the display is dim, instrument lights have to be turned on to see screen.

Guy, you did upload it but it says i need a special cable with a switch. There was no description to build the special cable. Enjoy your holiday, we will just suffer while you are off lollygagging. Hahaha
 
Guyfang

Guyfang

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I just got a late Easter package. In the TM Upload section, and it will later be moved to the Power Generation TM Forum, is the instructions on how to check the CIM when it can no longer display a picture on the screen, and how to SOMETIMES adjust it, when it has lightened, or darkened due to a small fault in the CIM. The instructions are accompanied by a description on how to manufacture a cable, to brighten, or darken the CIM.

Also found an address from a firm called L3 Westwood, that makes these things. The web site has a little info, and also about a remote starting, and a Paralleling Kit. Might be something interesting there. If nothing else, maybe they might be willing to share information with you about things you want to know.
 
Guyfang

Guyfang

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Well this Lollygagging old fart got off the dime. And you young studs still aint tried it yet? I knew I should have stayed in Garmisch. Ruined my vacation by comming home early. The old lady ran off with the postman, (he will be back, but I ain't cheap!) The kids emptied the safe. My girlfriend is PG. All because of you. And you ain't tried it yet. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.
 
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diogenescreosote

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I have an MEP-803B with the same problem. They keypad had been working fine at its previous location, then a few months ago I drove the thing 150 miles, and the keypad hasn't worked since.

For what it's worth folks, you can read the army document about the defective keypad here:
(disturbingly, the army does not seem to maintain its TLS credentials correctly, so you have to click through some nonsense to load the page)

I have contacted L3 to try to get a replacement. I doubt they'll give me one what with my being a civilian, but I might as well try.

Does anyone know how the protocol by which the keypad talks to the CIM? If it's RS232, USB, or something similarly reasonable, maybe I could hook up a normal keyboard to the CIM. Anyone know?
 
Guyfang

Guyfang

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diogenescreosote said:
I have an MEP-803B with the same problem. (The MEP-803B is not a gen set. I assume, and tzhis is always a bad thing to do, but assume you mean some other gen set. So what is it, )They keypad had been working fine at its previous location, then a few months ago I drove the thing 150 miles, and the keypad hasn't worked since.

For what it's worth folks, you can read the army document about the defective keypad here:
(disturbingly, the army does not seem to maintain its TLS credentials correctly, so you have to click through some nonsense to load the page)

I have contacted L3 to try to get a replacement. I doubt they'll give me one what with my being a civilian, but I might as well try.

Does anyone know how the protocol by which the keypad talks to the CIM? If it's RS232, USB, or something similarly reasonable, maybe I could hook up a normal keyboard to the CIM. Anyone know?
Click to expand...
Open to see comments.
 
155mm

155mm

Chief and Indian
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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388
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Location
Guymon, OK
Guyfang said:
Open to see comments.
Click to expand...
diogenescreosote said:
I have an MEP-803B with the same problem. They keypad had been working fine at its previous location, then a few months ago I drove the thing 150 miles, and the keypad hasn't worked since.

For what it's worth folks, you can read the army document about the defective keypad here:
(disturbingly, the army does not seem to maintain its TLS credentials correctly, so you have to click through some nonsense to load the page)

I have contacted L3 to try to get a replacement. I doubt they'll give me one what with my being a civilian, but I might as well try.

Does anyone know how the protocol by which the keypad talks to the CIM? If it's RS232, USB, or something similarly reasonable, maybe I could hook up a normal keyboard to the CIM. Anyone know?
Click to expand...


in post #21, baxter said a standard series mouse would work in place of keypad

" , I have learned a lot. One of my discoveries is that the keypad literally emulates a serial mouse. You can disconnect the keypad's db9 connector and plug in an old serial mouse instead and use that to move the cursor and make selections on the CIM's screen. This is an easy temporary solution for anyone with a bad keypad. "
 
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Bill C

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Dallas, TX
baxter462 said:
Okay,

in all my recent tinkering with the CIM's on my MEP-805B generators, I have learned a lot. One of my discoveries is that the keypad literally emulates a serial mouse. You can disconnect the keypad's db9 connector and plug in an old serial mouse instead and use that to move the cursor and make selections on the CIM's screen. This is an easy temporary solution for anyone with a bad keypad. I haven't tried a serial to ps/2 adapter with a ps/2 mouse, but I suspect it would work.

Since the data packets sent from an old mouse via rs232 are so well documented, it will be simple to make a replacement keypad with a few momentary push buttons and an arduino or similar programmable microcontroller. It isn't a high priority to me at the moment, but I will eventually build one and share it with everyone on here. In the meantime, the serial mouse trick should work. This will also make diagnosing a bad keypad much easier.
Click to expand...
Hello,
I was able to open up and repair the keypad on my MEP-805B. Please see the attached PDF. TNX Bill C.
 

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Guyfang

Guyfang

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Bill,

Thank you very much! This was very good. I am going to try and insert this into the TM section. This is a great help. And yes, the keypad has a bad rep. Mostly because its a pluck and chuck item.
 
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