Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "docstein99" <docstein99@...> 
wrote:
>
> > I cannot seem to locate the optical paper sensor.  Furthermore, 
is 
> > the picture above where the sensor is located originally, or do I 
> > need to move it there from some other location?
> 
> I am preparing to convert a C84 right now, which would be my third 
> try at this.  I have already done a lexmark and an epson 220, which 
I 
> believe is simular construction to the c84.
> 
> I cant tell you for certain on the C84, but on the 220 the paper 
> sensor was hidden behind where the print-head camps out normally.  
> There is some type of lever mechanism that flips over when paper is 
> fed into the machine.  It was hidden on my epson as well and took 
me 
> quite some time to find it.  Only after I managed to dismantle 
> practically the entire top-rail, it showed itself.  Was tucked in 
and 
> cliped on to the grey sheet metal with a small black plastic 
> housing.  By that time the frame was giving me hell sticking itself 
> together making it really difficult to plan out a lifting strategy.
> 
> BTW- There is also another sensor at the end of the paper feeding 
> roller in the back, which must stay there in order for the machine 
to 
> boot up correctly, not to confuse with the paper feed sensor.
> 
> Also, at times I got a little lost and thought I was taking off too 
> much stuff, so I kept plugging it in to make sure it would boot up 
> ok.  If I moved something or took something off I wasnt certain of, 
I 
> plug it in to make sure it boots up; then if not - I knew I had to 
> put that piece back on in order for the machine to work.  I had to 
> abandon the 220 because the project reached a point where the 
printer 
> no longer booted up and would not print, just with a blinking red 
> light.

I'm still looking for the paper sensor.  I have the printer stripped 
down to its "bare essentials" and I still don't see the paper 
sensor.  I am assuming the paper sensor is an electrical switch of 
some sort and therefore has to have wires coming from it.  If this is 
correct, I have not removed anything that has wires and I don't see 
anything on the remaining structure that has wires that I cannot 
account for.

Can the paper sensor be purely mechanical in nature?

If I don't find the sensor, I guess my next step is to hook up the 
printer and see if it still works.

Thanks,

Paul