Repairing Texas Instruments TI-5X calculators

I have them up through TI-57 so I don't know if the following applies

to models higher than this (TI-58 and TI-59).

If it hasn't been used for a while (like 15 years?) then the NiCds are
likely deader than a door nail and will not accept a charge since they
are totally shorted. Bad NiCds is very likely all that is wrong with
the calculator.

If your calculator has a pack that plugs in inside the back with 2 AA
NiCds and some circuitry, then it is the same.

First crack open the pack by using a butter knife or similar

instrument at the catches along the seam. You will see a pair of AA
NiCds and a small circuit board. This is a DC-DC convertor which
boosts the 2.4 V of the NiCds to about 10 V to operate the logic of
the calculator.

Inspect the circuit board for corrosion and other obvious damage.
Unless the calculator was stored in a damp area, it should be fine.
The batteries will probably have crusty white stuff on the positive
ends. They are bad. Don't even bother trying to zap them.

As a test, you can do either or both of the following:

1. Get a large electrolytic capacitor (e.g., 10,000 uF at 10 V) and

put it in in place of the batteries. Observe polarity.
Try out the calculator using the TI charger/adapter.
Operations will be a bit flakey but should basically work (the
capacitor, no matter how large, apparently will not substitute for the
NiCds).

2. Unplug the TI battery pack and set it aside. Find a 9 V power

supply or a 9V battery. Connect this to the red and black wires
coming from the logic board connector which went to the battery pack.
NOTE: the wire color coding is backwards on at least some of these.
Black is positive for some reason.
However, nothing disasterous happens if you connect it backwards as
far as I can tell since I was testing it backwards for quite a while
until I caught on. And, I thought TI was a real company!

If these tests are successful, the calculator is likely fine and you
just need a new set of AA NiCds with solder tabs to make it as good as
new.

Or, if you don't need the authenticity of a genuine TI form-and-

function rechargeable battery pack, use a 9V AC adapater, 9V Alkaline,
or 9V NiCd battery and charge it externally.