I need to know if a Sharp CE-50P Thermal Printer can have the small
plug on the end converted so that it similar to and will run as a
Sharp CE-126P. Both units appear to be absolutely identical in looks
both externally and internally. The only apparent difference I can see
being in the plug on the end. A perfect answer would firstly confirm
that the conversion could be done. Secondly it would direct me to
someone who could do the job for me, and lastly it would provide me
with a quotation for the conversion of seven (7) units. Please note
the seven units I have are appear to be in mint condition. For the
perfect answer my tip will be to the max! |
Request for Question Clarification by
journalist-ga
on
31 Mar 2003 08:39 PST
Greetings Bwll77:
After spendng a considerable amount of time on hold with two separate
Sharp offices, I want to report to you what I have discovered.
I phoned the main Sharp help number, 800-237-4277, and inquired of
seven different reps if the conversion could be done. The trouble
they had in answering the question was that the printers were so old,
they weren't sure where to send me next to inquire about the
conversion. I kept getting transferred to other departments (and
they, in turn, transferred me to other departments).
Finally, a gal named Kathy told me to phone one of Sharp's regional
offices at 201-529-8200. I phoned there and began an "on hold"
experience again and finally was transferred to a lady named Pat. She
was very gracious and she put me on hold a couple of times while she
phoned various departments regarding the CE line.
Her answer came back that there was no one at Sharp who was familiar
with this model line and that Sharp didn't even provide manuals for
the product anymore because it is so dated. She suggested that if you
had the manuals AND they included a schematic of the printer, you
might be able to have an electronics specialist take a look at them
for a conversion. She apologized that Sharp couldn't help citing,
again, that the models were simply so old that no one was left at
Sharp who knew anything about them.
You may have already learned all the above but I wanted to offer you
the research I did.
So, from Sharp, the answer to your "confirm that the conversion could
be done" appears to be a stalemate. Pat didn't know if it could be
done but she did know that Sharp couldn't accomplish the conversion.
I hope my research time has helped you in your quest and I certainly
wish I could have offered a more definitive answer. It may be that
one of my colleagues will personally know an electronics whiz that can
accomplish the conversions for you. I hope so, and good luck!
|
Clarification of Question by
bwll77-ga
on
31 Mar 2003 09:22 PST
Thank you journalist. Yup I sorta already knew/suspected-strongly what
you just found out. I'm just too busy to hold on listening to back
ground music or plinky plonk stuff. You infomation is (bluntly) not
what I wanted but I really do appreciate your efforts here. The best I
can do is to shout you a glass of virtual chardoney by posting a nice
little easy question for you and leave the main question open in the
hopes that someone finds a solution for me. Next year I am changing
products and using a new little state of the art bluetooth technology
portable printer from Extech. Problem is getting programs converted to
run on PalmOS etc etc etc. So I've got to keep using this old
technlogy stuff for the rest of this year. Bye for now from: Roger
|
Request for Question Clarification by
taxmama-ga
on
31 Mar 2003 19:58 PST
Hi bwll77,
Just a quick note to let you know I have feelers out in Russia.
Still keeping a sharp eye out (as long as we are all punning).
Please leave a question open for me for about a week.
Best wishes,
Your TaxMama-ga
|
Request for Question Clarification by
42-ga
on
06 Apr 2003 08:46 PDT
Hi,
have you considered using the CE-123P printer instead? It seems to
be a functional replacement for the 126P, intended for use with the
PC-1250 and similar pocket computers. Physically, the 123P will
probably be incompatible with the PC-E500S pocket computers you are
using, but electrically I would expect it to work ok.
If using the 123P, you would then need to make up some extension
cables; not difficult as the 11-pin connector is a standard 0.1" pitch
single inline header (with a couple of extra plastic tabs at the ends,
which you could get away without). Or, you could rip the connector out
of the 123P and solder in the required extension cable using the
original connector on the end.
The CE-123P is listed at http://www.promsoft.com , and I have taken
the liberty of emailing them regarding availability and cost.
The 126P preceeds the PC-E500S by several years (the 126P existed
before 1985), hence my belief that its replacement model (the 123P)
will work. I know a bit about these printers and their associated
pocket computers - sitting in front of me I have a CE-126P, a CE-125,
a couple of PC-1251's and a PC-1248.
A bit more information about your present hardware and software, and
the application(s) you are running, would be somewhat helpful in
answering your several questions. I suspect that a simpler and quicker
solution to your present one (PDA + bluetooth printer) could then be
formulated. For instance, is your code just written in basic? What are
the memory requirements? What screen size is required - is the
PC-E500S being used as a replacement for an earlier pocket computer
such as the PC-1251?
regards,
rob.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
taxmama-ga
on
07 Apr 2003 08:52 PDT
Hi bwll77-ga
So far, I've had no response from anyone in Russia,
saying they can find the printeres.
But a friend in France offered this suggesetion:
>>
I just checked with hp (i'm an authorized reseller - and they
do make great printers. anyhow, these are the two they could
find that are the closest to sharp's. supposedly (I don't know
from my own experience) these are popular with real estate people,
traveling salespeople, and anyone that has to travel.
If you are interested, I can get you pricing.
model 350c
5 ppm
b/w/c
600x300bpi
500 pages mm
letter legal or exec
wireless optional printing
p/n c2697a
4.3 pounds
size 12x4x6
450cbi
p/n c8112a
slightly fastly than the 350
4.6 pounds
13x3x7.3
<<<
If you're interested, I can find out what kind of programming
or bridge needs to be arranged to make it work with whatever
device you're attaching the printer to. (Sorry about the poor
grammar.)
I can see why you've had such a hard time getting these devices.
Best wishes,
Your TaxMama-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
bwll77-ga
on
08 Apr 2003 23:00 PDT
Hello 42-ga
Thank you for your suggestion regarding a possible replacmenty for the
CE126-P.
Whilst all that you have said makes sense and is probably correct. You
suggested replacement does not have the physical compatibility to mix
it with the PC_E500S. If this were just a one-off unit for personal
use it would be ok.
Unfortunately my application is a volume commercial one and naturally
I have to have an asthetically pleasing end product. Regretfully your
suggestion whilst creatively very good is of no use to me. Thank you
for your efforts and allow me to shout you a nice chardonay in due
course. Right now I am on the move around the world and in a rush to
reply to other ga-matters and heaps of emails and other business. But
as soon as time permits I will post a special little question for you
as a way expressing my appreciaton for your efforts and creative
suggestion. Kind regards from Roger (on the move!)
|
Clarification of Question by
bwll77-ga
on
08 Apr 2003 23:05 PDT
For my Tax-Mamma
Hi Tax-Mamma. this is a very quick acknowledgement of your last
comments/suggestion. I will comment in more detail as soon as time
permits; probably in about 1 week. I am currently still very much on
the move. But please do look into that alternative and price it for
me. Thanks and kind regards from: Roger
|
Request for Question Clarification by
taxmama-ga
on
09 Apr 2003 09:58 PDT
Hi Roger,
I hope your travels are going well.
Did you ever tell us the application in which you use these devices?
Here's the pricing and programming information from my contact:
Pricing:
The HP 350: $215.00 each, plus s&h
The HP 450: $345.00 each, plus s&h
Volume price break at 48 units to $339.00 plus s&h
There is another method I may have to do better on
the pricing. I'm going to look into it later.
I'll let you know.
Programming:
It depends on the language and operating system/version. The range
could be anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour. If you can find out
the language and os I could give you a better answer. But -
if this is Windows for example, the operating system takes
care of the printing and there is nothing to program.
This sounds a little steep for you.
But, when you slow down, let me know if you want to follow up
and I'll put you into direct contact with Lynn.
Best wishes
Your TaxMama-ga
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