Rhodes Chroma Polaris

--- In chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com, "pterodactylrecords" <lou@...> 
wrote:
>
> I repaired my Polaris membrane ribbons by cutting the damaged parts 
> off and carefully using a solvent(flux remover)to dissolve the 
> painted green insulation and rebuilding a new termination to plug 
> into the socket. One was far too short so I removed the termination 
> socket from the PCB and after connection, glued it to the metal 
> front panel for stability. I then soldered #22 wires to the 
> connector that run to the PCB where the old connector was mounted. 
> It is working well now. For awile I was thinking I might do that to 
> all of the connections as the ribbons are prone to cracking where 
> they loop to plug into the termination sockets. Anyway that's my 2 
> cents!
> Lou
> 
> 
> --- In chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com, "greg rudd" <compactor24@> 
> wrote:
> >
> > Alex,
> > 
> > It sounds like paul is your "go to guy" on the Polaris 
> electronics. I put 
> > mine together by following the existing switch circuit as shown 
on 
> the 
> > original membrane panels, I don't have the depth of electronic 
> knowledge to 
> > have known how the matrix works. Then i drilled the holes 
> installed the 
> > switches and connected the dots. Jason reccomended the switches 
> which i 
> > accessed on Ebay for very low cost. I'll find you the link to the 
> > manufacturer.
> > If anything isn't right with that matrix expect problems. I had 
> one shorted 
> > switch and nothing worked until I metered out all the switches 
and 
> found the 
> > problem. Now it all works fine. I never did like those membrane 
> switches 
> > even when they worked. Not responsive or tactile enough.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > >From: alex459686 <no_reply@yahoogroups.com>
> > >Reply-To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
> > >To: chromapolaris@yahoogroups.com
> > >Subject: [chromapolaris] Re: any advice on rebuilding the front 
> panel 
> > >needed .
> > >Date: Thu, 10 May 2007 01:32:45 -0000
> > >
> > >
> > >many many thanks for the advice Paul .
> > >I will research, and brush up on my electronics know-how before 
> attempting 
> > >this .
> > >
> > >For anyone with good internal Polaris know-how and free 
> time....::::
> > >The Issue my Polaris is having right now, is that when it is 
> switched on 
> > >the vast majority of
> > >panel lights are "lit", buttons "7" , "8" and "9" seem to work 
> but they 
> > >have the response of
> > >changing "assignable control" light (of which only one is ever 
> alight) and 
> > >also the
> > >"envelope" and "volume envelope" lights . This is very odd, i 
> have 
> > >previously experienced a
> > >damaged ribbon which i , at first , successfully repaired . but 
> now seems 
> > >damaged again .
> > >another odd trait of my current Polaris problem is that by 
> pressing 7,8 or 
> > >9 the sound is
> > >changed, though as i play the keyboard the sound suddenly 
changes 
> > >erratically . im
> > >assuming due to the computer receiving confusing messages from 
> the panel . 
> > >The sliders
> > >then have no effect on the sound of the instrument .
> > >I am assuming that there is some kind of problem with the 
Ribbon, 
> as this 
> > >is a repeating
> > >problem for me . and due to this problem most of the switches 
are 
> active . 
> > >causing the
> > >instrument to become "confused" and not respond to the slider 
> changes .
> > >does anyone have any idea what connection/cable break or ribbon 
> damage may 
> > >cause a
> > >response like this . In reference to the schematics  how would 
it 
> be 
> > >possible for all the
> > >right panel lights to be in there "on" state at the same time ?
> > >sigh!...ok . i hope i didnt explain that too confusingly . . if 
> anyone 
> > >could help shed any
> > >light on this problem id be thankful .
> > >
> > >thanks again for the previous info .
> > >long live the polaris group ;)
> > >
> > >
> > 
> > _________________________________________________________________
> > New Windows Live Hotmail is here. Upgrade for free and get a 
> better look. 
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> >
>Lou, That is the best way to fix it. I just picked up another 
Polaris yesterday with one bad membrane ribbon side. YOur method 
should work just fine and a lot less work than completely rebuilding 
the entire switch matrix from scratch like some of us have done in 
the past. Brilliant and Thanks for such a simple and effective 
solution. Can you reccomend the right solvent for the job?

Thanks
Tek