I have several HP-41C, and CV's with similar problems with the interconnects between the processor and main board. So far I've seen two types of elastomeric zebra connectors used, the older 41C used a circular dual tubular type connector with what looks like fine gold wires wrapped around the tubes. I have one where the membrane substrate around the tubes holding the fine wires cracked and flaked off. The second zebra strip type on a 41CV looks like a soft rectangular strip about an inch and a half long with embedded conductors pads within the elastomer spaced across the 16 connection pads. One of the elastomeric strips seems to be ok and I can get continuity through it with an ohm-meter, but the other strip doesn't seem to conduct any more. I wonder if this type of strip gets old and fails somehow?
I've seem a few references about replacing the zebra strips with soldered in wires between the boards, but just wondering if anyone has ever found a replacement source for new zebra strips with the proper .100 in. pad contact spacing that could be dropped in as replacements for the old zebra strips when repairing an HP-41?
thanks,
Mike Dominiak
mad57@cornell.edu