STAR*TECH Journal
July 1992
DATA EAST WACKY GATOR
SENSOR BOARD MODIFICATION
John T. Moon II
Pocket Change America Inc.
Clarksville, Indiana
PROBLEM
The Sensor Board has broken
wires and/or loose board connec-
tions.
... need a re-
CAUSE
design. All
The Sensor Board works quite
well, however, the wires going to
this board are poorly attached
and need a redesign. All the: vi-
bration and the pounding these
Gators get will work the wires
and the board loose.
the vibration
and the
pounding
SOLUTION
I've found that the removal of the
board is essential to facilitate re-
pair.
• Remove the Gator body and
remove the strain relief from the
body.
• Remove the rubber grommet
and the metal tie-down.
• Remove the screws from the
Board and the plate.
• Cut all wires off the Board and
clean off any solder and residue.
these Gators
get will work
the wires and
the board
loose.
MODIFICATION
With the opto facing you, there
will be an area on the Board
which has a small circle with" +5"
next to it.
• Evacuate this hole along ,vith
the hole labeled "S" and the hole
labeled "GND".
• Install a20 gauge multi-strand,
color-coded wire into the "+5"
hole from the front so that you
M4R
?/61;(
can solder the wire to the pad on
the back side .
• Follow this same procedure for
the "S" hole.
• The "GND" should be inserted
from the back and soldered to the
pad on front.
You will notice two sets of num-
bers on the front of the Board
near the bottom.
• On the top set of numbers, drill~
2 holes spaced about 1/2" apart.
Make the holes just large enough
for a tie-wrap to be inserted.
• Install a tie-wrap into the board
with the head of the tie-wrap lo-
cated on the back.
• Tie the wires into a neat bundle
close to the Board.
• Remove any excess wire and
tie-wrap.
REAssEMBLE
• Install the Board back onto the
frame.
• Install the Gator body onto the
frame (do not run wires under the
body).
• Drill one more hole on the body
of the Gator-right below the hole
where you removed the strain
relief.
• Install a tie-wrap into this hole
and secure the wires to this point.~
For further wire protection, run
the wire into heat shrink tubing
or use vinyl tubing.