Replacing OLED screen on an Agilent U1253A Multimeter

[spalter]

Hey Guys,

I do have the same issue with my Agilent U1273A as well. An Agilent spare for the U1273A is not available, they exchange the whole meter for a fixed price. I did a lot of testing and soldering. What I can tell you for sure, only the SSD1303 Oled display will work ! Everything with SSD1305 or higher has the mirrored image, cause the driver is different to the SSD1303.

Unless you find a NOS somewhere, it will not work. As OLED change very fast in China, I did not find any resource to get a SSD1303.

Hope this helps

DPX

[satanistik]

I solve the problem with the mirrored image in SSD1303 replaces to SSD1305 SSD1306 SSD1309.
I use only 3 cmos logic chip.





It's dedicated to cafe machine but if this meter uses 8bit bus its can work.

[sanchelo]

Hello, Help scheme!!!

[sedushi27]

Help me too with scheme, please!

[satanistik]

This method works only in 8bit  bus mode - BS0 = 1 and BS1 = 1. System controller must send 1010000X command - set column scan direction, this hack replace 10100000 commands to 10100001 but if uP doesn't use this instruction or use 10100001 - its doesn't work.
"Delay line" 3 OR gate compensate propagation time - display controller latch command on rising edge of WR/ signal and if I connect WR directly - it does not work.

[sanchelo]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[sanchelo]

what's the resistor and capacitor?

[satanistik]

C = 100n
corected schematic:

[TweakIT]

C = 100n
corected schematic:

Thank you very much. Saw your posts on the polish forum.
Since you etched a PCB, do you have a PCB file for this schematic by any chance? Would be nice to just order it on Ali using the file  

[stupid]

Hi everybody,

I found a Chinese vendor that provide OLED display for U1273A and U1253A/B，after my trial，it's ok on my U1273A and U1253A.

List price as below:
For U1273A，59.99 USD
For U1253A , 69.99 USD

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.101.7c43260eXXQFvS&id=591402268582&ns=1&abbucket=19#detail

[mcookieman]

Thanks satanistik!
After seeing your post about the command to control column scan direction I probed the meter to check if it sends that command (and it does).
I put together a PCB and it works! (with a minor bodge on the 12V boost converter)

I finally have a working multi-meter after nearly 2 years..

I rearranged the logic a little bit and used 74HC / 74HCT gates so it only requires two chips. No need to delay the WR signal, but there is the provision to do so on the board.
Attached is a schematic, I'll upload the design files when I have some free time. I also have 8x sets of PCBs + components (no display) if anyone is interested in building their own.

[amigos]

Very good job.
Please upload file project.
What display you used? ssd1309?
Thanks!

[wraper]

Attached is a schematic, I'll upload the design files when I have some free time. I also have 8x sets of PCBs + components (no display) if anyone is interested in building their own.

I would suggest not using AMS1117-3.3 but something with lower quiescent current. Adding 5mA to already poor battery life does not help.
EDIT: AP3012 is also far from the best from this standpoint (3mA) but about on par with original MC33063. However you should use higher feedback divider resistance. It consumes almost 1mA from 12V which translates into about 2mA from the battery.

[satanistik]

https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=17977216#17977216
Similar topic on elektroda forum.

mcookieman - I see in you schematic line D/C is not connected to logic. This may cause display data modification - some white drop.  My logic is transparent for display data and modify only command.

[marcopolo]

May be you can correct this problem 

The MCU send a A0 command (COL0=SEG0) at startup of the u1253.
If you count the WR pulses, when you see the ninth you force the line D0 to 1 (COL131=SEG0) to transform the command A0 to A1.
But if the MCU send an A0 command later, you're dead!

Or you can use a comparator (more wires)
If D/C=0 and data=A0 and WR=0, you force D0 to 1 before the rising edge of WR

It's just an idea, not sure it'll work.
Marc

That's what I proposed eight months ago.

[mcookieman]

@wraper
 - great suggestions, I didn't consider many things when designing this board. I"ll swap those parts out before releasing the design files.

@satanistik
- Ahh that is true; I haven't noticed any significant glitches in the display so it looks like I got lucky.

@marcopolo
- Apologies and thanks, I completely missed that; I wasn't following this thread closely at that time.

[satanistik]

I need delay WR because in Nivona coffe machnie suply voltage is only 2,7V.

[decoder77]

Replacing the OLED SSD1303 display with SSD1305

After replacing the display, the image becomes a mirror image.

In order for the image to be displayed correctly, you need to replace the command from the microcontroller 10100000 to 10100001. I did this using flash memory sst39vf040. You can also use sst39vf512, sst39vf010, sst39vf020, etc.

More info -  http://www.alexej-krom.de/replacing-the-oled-ssd1303-display-with-ssd1305/

[wordmaster]

I finally have a working multi-meter after nearly 2 years..

Thanks so much! How did you integrate 74HC / 74HCT into the old PCB?  On the schematic uses three of the chip, but you write that you use two?

[Latet]

Has anyone tried with the SSD1325 display? I believe that is contemporary to SSD1303 and there is enough room in the multimeter for that size.

[TweakIT]

I solve the problem with the mirrored image in SSD1303 replaces to SSD1305 SSD1306 SSD1309.
I use only 3 cmos logic chip.

It's dedicated to cafe machine but if this meter uses 8bit bus its can work.

Do you have some more pictures of how you connect it all? I have the same display and blue displayboard. If I understand it correctly you connect the displayboard to your custom PCB, invert the signal and connect it to the nivona display module (with the controls on it). For me, as an amateur, it's not clear how I should connect it all (too many missing pieces).

Would be great if you could help!

[vishaldotgupta]

Hi, Myself is an electronics engineer from India.   i have in the past worked for R&S for almost 12 years and has a passion of owning test RF test equipment and do reverse engineering
 
I do have two Agilent DMM's having issues with oled.  I tried very hard and it seems SSD1303T10 based Oled is not available as the driver chip was discontinued in year 2014.  Since them newer drivers are available which have a better life and performance compared to SSD1303t10.  But the mirror image issue is still there.

I am able to do fine soldering and reworking.  I am willing to offer my services to anyone interested.  The procedure would be as below.

The defective board needs to be sent to me (by EMS / POST)  I will change the OLED , replace any other defective  component, re work on the board to change the hex command and send it back by EMS.   EMS is slow but economical and usually doesn't involve customs taxes due to low value

Do let me know if this sounds workable?

[rtekal]

This info is put up by Keysight in their community forums. There is a replaceable parts for the OLED display, you may purchase the display board and change it. The part number is U1253-66007.

[Rosenköpfchen]

vishaldotgupta ,
the forum lives from users who work out solutions to a problem and not from services.
Let us know your solution.
greeting

[rsjsouza]

Keysight now has a display replacement for the U1273A. Just search for this meter at their find-a-part page and you should get the part U1273-66501. It is expensive.

https://www.keysight.com/my/fapHomePage