Patches and discussion for Ensoniq VFX family

--- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Sparkes" <paulsparkes@...> wrote:
>
> Thanks for the help guys. 
> 
> The Ensoniq has decided to come to life again but I suspect that the split keyboard connection is probably one of the issues. I did a quick fix which I remembered from the past of putting my palms on the centre of the keyboard and pressing down. This I assume helps to re-establish the connection. Will take it in to get hard wired. When the keys came to life it was a bit noisy at first but came right once the keyboard was played for 15 min. I innitially tried the turn on and off thing several times. This has worked in the past to clear errors but not this time. I may try swapping the power supply and disk drive over to my other VFX SD which needs repairs as it has less wear. I'm still a little wary though about installing a 240 volt power supply into what was a 110 volt keyboard. Is there anything I should be aware off? 
> 
> Paul
> 
> 
> --- In Ensoniq-VFX-SD@yahoogroups.com, Gordon JC Pearce <gordon@> wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, 2009-05-05 at 17:11 -0400, Hayward Redd wrote:
> > 
> > > Years ago I had the same when my VFX-SD was practically new. The
> > > solder that they use on the
> > > circuit board in the earlier models deteriorates and creates a "flux"
> > > that is magnetizing. I finally had to send it back to the factory
> > > through a local repair shop. Once they fixed it, it never happened
> > > again. Me HR     
> > 
> > Mmmm, that's not *quite* it.
> > 
> > Flux is used when you're soldering to help burn off grot and oxidisation
> > on the solder joint.  It's basically rosin, same as you use on your
> > fiddle bow.  It's not magnetic, and isn't the same thing as "magnetic
> > lines of flux" at all.
> > 
> > What *does* happen, though, is that the solder joints do in fact
> > deteriorate, and form a "dry joint" (or if you're on the low-voltage
> > side of the pond, a "cold joint" - which is a slightly better term).
> > This is brought on by heat and vibration, and mechanically poor joints.
> > The other little trick that the EPS, VFX and other related keyboards
> > have up their dastardly sleeves is the infamous split keyboard
> > connector.  The PCB for the keyboard is made in two halves, with a
> > multi-pin connector joining them.  These are, to put it extremely
> > mildly, complete and utter shite.  They should be replaced by wire
> > links, if this hasn't been done already.
> > 
> > Gordon
> >
You will find the fix for this in the files/tools and service folder on this group's message board.  I did the fix a few years ago and have had no problems since until this week.  Probably cheap solder and poor technique.  I'll try it again soon with a good cleaning with a solder sucker and silver solder this time.  The two hands on the keyboard trick does work but it's only a temporary fix.
>