505 groovebox

edjwise · Joined: Dec 14, 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Memphis

I have a 505 groovebox that I really like however, it has some issues. The LCD is dying, I have opened up the unit and should be easy to replace if I can find the part number. Most people tell me to contact Roland but they want upwards of $100 for what seems to be a standard LCD.

The unit has also had something spilled on it and some of the keys stick. Again I have opened the unit and there are small contact switches that need to be cleaned. Out of about 50 switches I need to clean about 15 or 20 of them. Would it be safe to soak the main board in alcohol or other cleaner ?

Replacing the unit would cost about $400 and the service techs have told me that would cost about 300$ for the repairs that I need. I dont feel that either of those are truly worth it. I would rather just fix the one that I have. Can anyone offer some repair advice?

andrewF · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:02 am Post subject:

You can buy spraycans of `contact cleaner` from electronic hobby shops - fairly nasty stuff, but should do the job.
how dead is your screen? just a few pixels? If so, just keep using it whilst you can. My 10 year old Alesis lost a few pixels after about 5 years but since then no more have died. If you open the box and can find the part number, start googling, it might show up but I expect you will have to be very lucky.

Pehr · Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 12:25 am Post subject:

I've seen LCDs changed on 505s before by DIY people so it should be possible.

Let's google...

Bingo! Very Happy

http://www.candisc.com/ranger/stock17.htm (search site for MC-505 Wink

)

http://www.eio.com/public/lcd/1713.html
http://www.eio.com/public/lcd/1171.html

Cool

Good luck!

edjwise · Joined: Dec 14, 2007 Posts: 35 Location: Memphis

thanks "andrewF" I will pick up some contact cleaner. As far as the LCD goes it is a default in the model. The LCD gets too hot and kills the pixels quickly. I have found all of the pages that "Pehr " has listed before and they are all dead ends basically. The one company that claims to stock the item has a very high minimum order.

I have seen other users that have replaced there LCDs . . most recently I saw one on ebay with a green replacement LCD. I messaged the seller but I never got a response.