Is there a Harris dealer who can get not-in-the manual parts?

[ElroyJetson]

I have an XL-185P with a scan front cover. I want to upgrade to a system (full keypad) front cover on it.

I found a compatible system front cover for it, for a mere 75 dollars (well under the usual 338 dollars) but knew from the start that the
top LCD is broken in it. The front cover is otherwise in perfect, new condition.

Upon close inspection I think that the LCD got damaged while the cover wasn't even attached to a radio. Somebody was playing with it
and pried at the LCD, trying to see what held it in place (there is no visible hardware holding it) and in doing so, snapped it in half.

The top LCD (in fact, neither it nor the front LCD, or any other parts on the front cover assembly) are formally considered replaceable.
They're not shown as replaceable in the service manual.

But by some careful inspection and prodding, I was able to figure out how to remove the top LCD. It is simply held in place by an adhesive gasket,
with adhesive on both sides. It's a strong adhesive.

All I would need in order to do the repair is to obtain the replacement top LCD and the accompanying adhesive gasket.

The most time consuming part of the replacement process is just getting small tools into the recess where the top LCD sits, and digging the little
chunks of broken glass out and getting out the residue of the gasket as well. Which does take a few minutes and good eyes. But it's not a job
that's above the skill level of anybody who has any business working in a radio like this. I'd say connecting the mini GPS and LTE and wifi connectors
require similar dexterity or more.

So is there a Harris dealer/service center out there that has enough persuasive ability with Harris to get me that LCD and gasket? Please?

 

[BMDaug]

It’s hard enough to persuade some dealers to do anything for an individual or a hobbyist, let along get an off-book part. I don’t know anyone or anyone that knows anyone that can get anything outside of the parts list.

Why don’t you just take the one off of your scan cover? I really think that’s your cheapest option. New front covers should come in a sealed bag with a humidity monitor inside.

-B

Edit: I should also note that the ‘gasket’ is likely applied to the housing when manufactured and covered in a protective film, which is removed on the assembly line when the top LCD is put in place. It’s most likely not a standalone part that can be ‘ordered’ because it’s permanently affixed to the plastic housing subassembly.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I could just make do with a piece of the gasket material and I could cut it to shape myself. There are acceptable workarounds for that, a few of them as a matter of fact. But the tricky part is to get the LCD.

The LCD is delicate enough, and the adhesive strong enough, that I would judge the chance of breaking it while attempting to remove it to be higher than I want to risk when I don't have a spare to fall back on.

I will of course try to call the TAC and see if I can find a sympathetic ear to bend. Maybe someone would agree to send me a scrapper cover with a good top LCD and let me attempt to remove it without breaking it.

 

[gtaman]

I would give New London Technology a call. They have a lot of odds and ends.

 

[ElroyJetson]

That's a good idea. I believe they get all of the scrap from the Lynchburg factory.

 

[BMDaug]

I use a syringe filled with isopropyl and inject tiny, well-placed amounts at the edges of adhesive. Let it work for a minute, and then very slowly and delicately begin to pry, adding more as I progress. It works well enough that you can remove “warranty void if removed” and other anti-tamper devices. The best part is, once the alcohol evaporates, the adhesive usually remains intact and ready for reapplication… you know, after the tampering takes place.

Just look for a set of antique glass syringes on the bay or whatever. They work best for non-medical applications because they are glass and do well holding a variety of solvents. Also, you don’t look like a junky when you have them in your tool kit!

NLT may have some ruined housings… but a sympathetic ear at TAC? I doubt it. Good luck nonetheless!!!

-B

 

[K2NEC]

If NLT is no luck, shoot me a PM

 

[ElroyJetson]

The alcohol/syringe idea is a good one. It's a nice way to deal with keeping that "warranty void if removed" sticker undamaged. A heat gun may also work.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Incidentally, for those of you who like to keep their radio's display window free of scratches, I go to my local automotive paint protection film installer and get scraps of PPF film and apply it to the LCD windows of my radios. It's worth doing. And it makes it almost impossible to scratch the window. Adds a bit of impact protection as well.

 

[ElroyJetson]

This story is too good/bad not to share.

I got brave. I decided to open my radio and take the front cover off and SEE if I can remove the top LCD without damage, and believe it or not I was totally successful.

But I need to attach it to the new front cover with double sided adhesive tape. I have some, very appropriate for the task.

I drag out my paper cutter, a big one with a heavy blade, to precision cut the edge of the tape. And It makes a great clean cut. I compare the cut piece to the LCD...and the blade drops...and snips the connector end clean off the good LCD.

Yes that is how my luck works. Precisely.

 

[splinter34]

I feel your pain and disappointment, similar things have happened to me. It's a total kick in the shorts......

 

[ElroyJetson]

Well the good news is that other than that, the play was great, so said Mrs. Lincoln.

I have learned how to safely extract the top LCD and probably the front one as well, which can sometimes lead to a cost savings.

I've also learned that my safety precautions around that paper cutter could stand improvement. I should well know by now, anything that can go wrong, WILL, and at the worst possible moment.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Now I'm getting two minor EEPROM alerts, it's saying that the time stamps are invalid. These are just alerts, and they can be cleared.
I'm suspecting that it's related to one LCD assembly not being connected. Both displays are probably communicating with the radio's CPU, given that in this generation of radios, even the front covers tell the radio if they have the hazloc option or not.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I'll need to try to find the radio shops that are repairing XL radios including the front cover assemblies. If I can find some that have not managed to make it all the way to the recycle yard yet, I might get lucky.

Got any contact information for any Harris service shops in your area? Anybody? The bigger, and busier the shop, the better.

 

[nikronzo]

It's your right to hack up your own radio, but it's been said before on multiple forums; the XL series front assembly is not parted out by either the OEM or dealers. End of story.

 

[ElroyJetson]

That's why I'm looking for a used one that I can rob that part off of. Doesn't matter to me that Harris doesn't support that operation formally.
Now I do have a question I haven't found the answer to in any manual. My XL has a slot for a SIM card. It's on the PC board that is in the back of the radio under the rear speaker cover. Is that an LTE only thing or is there a second possible application for that card slot?
I mean, there is actually a sim card reader in there, behind the cover that is accessible with the battery removed.

And here's the aftermath of the falling paper cutter blade.

 

[splinter34]

Boy, those 9 littles ones would be tough.........

 

[ElroyJetson]

No worries, I found a deal on a front cover with a good LCD, from New London. I'll extract it and transfer it to my cover, and NOT cut it in half this time!!!

If you want this cut LCD assembly to try to repair it for practice, I'll be happy to send it to you.

Having that happen felt kind of like coming home from the pet store with a new mouse and as soon as you take it out of the box, it jumps in your paper shredder or maybe into your cat's open mouth. Quite a sensation.

 

[splinter34]

Na, thanks though. I'll bet that feeling was just shattering..... LOL! I've been there, feeling the high of accomplishment then shattered with in seconds...

 

[ElroyJetson]

End of the saga. Got a good replacement LCD installed. Works fine.

However, ever since the first mishap, I've been getting two non-fatal errors (that can be cleared via the keypad and menu) which tell me that something has gone slightly off.
They're both EEPROM faults

INVALID TIMESTAMP
LOW FCEEPROM MC CHK SUM SUB_FAULT 0X21 DATA 0

INVALID TIMESTAMP
LOW FCEEPROM CAP READ SUB_FAULT 0X1E DATA 0

They can both be cleared and the radio works normally, EXCEPT that the GPS feature has stopped working, not that this is a big deal.

I'll update the firmware and see if that clears it.