Faulty DX100 keyboard

[LektroiD]

I have a DX100 and a couple of the keys needed a little extra pressure to play, so I stripped the keyboard down and cleaned the rubber strip and all the contacts with isopropyl alcohol. Now only a few keys work. I was wondering if I could use something like this to repair it:

http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/displayProduct.jsp?sku=SA00867&CMP=e-2072-00001000

If anyone knows another means by which I can make the contacts more conductive, please let me know?

[esnabez]

The rubber keypad repair kit will work, but you might want to try a plain old pencil first. The graphite in the repair kit "paint" is the same as ordinary pencil graphite. Just find a pencil with the softest graphite you can (if in doubt, ask your local stationer). I usually grind the tip of the pencil down to a powder with fine sandpaper, rub a cotton swab in the powdered graphite, then apply it to the contacts. I've had really good results with this method. Good luck!

[blue hell]

[LektroiD]

[Dego]

I did try to fix my dx100 with a graphite pencil but it just got worse. But I think I will try to powder with the graphite and see if it works better...

[v-un-v]

I used to have a dx100 too, and with the same problem. I also tried to fix it with the above idea, but it didn't work. Come on guys, get real. The dx100 was a toy, which just happened to become a 'classic'.

[esnabez]

Sorry, my post may have been misleading by using the phrase "ordinary pencil graphite". A basic "No. 2" pencil's graphite may be too hard (mixed with too much clay) to be of much use.

What you should look for is an artists drawing pencil. Pure graphite is naturally soft, so to make different grades of hardness, the graphite is mixed with clay. You want one with the purest graphite possible. A "9B" is preferable. And you must grind it into a powder. Just drawing on the contact with the pencil tip usually doesn't work.

Having said all this, I realize that not everyone has an art supply store nearby. Another option is to buy graphite dry lubricant powder from a hardware store. For example: http://cpc.farnell.com/ck-tools/t6283a/graphite-dry-lubricant-powder/dp/ME18361

Pure graphite powder adheres to rubber easily. I've never had a problem getting it to stick to rubber contacts by applying it with a cotton swab. Be careful though, being a powder it can get messy. Go slowly and build it up in layers. The contacts should have the silvery-gray shine of a pencil tip when you're done.

[Dan Lavin]

Esnabez,
brilliant solution!

just as a side note, I remember a few years back everyone was chuckling at the NASA engineers trying to develop a pen that would write well in space and the newsmen would say "well the Russians just use a pencil!" and wink and imply the NASA guys were dumb-arses. I took out a pencil and measured it's lead and yeah...graphite is very conductive! I'd like to ask the newsguys if it was smart to have a broken, extremely conductive piece of pencil lead floating amongst all the avionics in the shuttle and space station!

[krisp14u]

[v-un-v]

[LektroiD]

[Dego]

Did it work?

[Dego]

I used this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/KEYPAD-FIX-Permanently-Repairs-All-Rubber-Keypads_W0QQitemZ300365667824QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ef305df0

and now my keyboard is working like new again.

[kpatz]

[Dego]

Still works. Hooked it up today just to try it again. But it works great.

[strategy]

My DX100 keys work fantastically, but the function and patch editing buttons are getting really difficult, I have to press really hard on some of them to make contact.

I haven't opened it up to see what the button contacts are like (as compared to the key contacts.)

One trick on gear with a metallic contact surface is to actually take the ERASER end of a pencil and erase off oxidation.

Anyone have "desensitized" DX100 buttons and know how to resolve?

Strategy

[kpatz]

The buttons are membrane contacts as well and they can be restored with the same stuff as the keys. On mine the buttons were fine but I treated them and cleaned the PCB contacts as well, now they work even better.

The keys work now too, but a few are still dicey so I'll have to put another coat on the keybed strip. But at least I have a DX100 that is playable now.

[LektroiD]

[kpatz]

The PCB contacts don't need the Keypad Fix applied, just clean those real good with a pencil eraser and some rubbing alcohol. The rubber strip is what loses conductivity, and that's what needs the coating applied.

[bonusplays]

Hate to bring this thread back 2 years later, but has anybody had the carbon fix (the one on ebay above) simply just bead up and flow off of the black rubber strip when fixing the DX100 keys? I cleaned the strip multiple times with isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth but the contact restorer still isn't sticking on.

Should I just apply A LOT and let it build up over multiple applications?

I asked a friend who does stereo repair in town if he had fixed carbon-rubber contacts before and he winced pretty hard and said they were a real pain.

Folks who've fixed their keys, please get in touch, I'd love to chat about it.

-Scott

[kpatz]

It can be tricky getting the goop to adhere to the rubber DX100 strip. Try stirring the stuff thoroughly before applying, then put a fairly thick coat on. Let it dry before reassembling the keybed.

[placemat]

I bought some conductive glue which you just paint on with a small art brush. It brings the keys back to life.