Brinlock 33

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Calculators: Handheld: Brinlock 33


		Size (approx):	70mm x 136mm x 23mm (w,h,d) Weight 98g excluding batteries.
		Power:	9.0V DC through 1 x PP3 size battery. Also accepts adapter (7.5V DC, 100mA, 2.5mm jack centre positive) through a socket on the right side near the top.
		Case:	The calculator is made from a two-piece matt black plastic case. The top section is raised (to hold the 9V battery) and has a ridged design. Then there is a flush and tilted neutral display filter that gives a bright image. The rest of the front is dominated by the keyboard surround; a brushed aluminium panel that wraps around the vertical edges. It is printed in black text for the model information and on/off switch label. The keys are short travel with a positive loud click and work well on my example. There is a recessed area on the back for a large rear sticker.
		Display:	8 digit green VFD with a ninth digit for memory and error flags.
		Features:	Basic four function with percentages and five function memory
		Age:	c1977
		Manufacturer:	Ref No. 585, made in Hong Kong, serial number 301538.
		Comments:	Little known UK brand but a good enough attempt at a reasonable calculator. The logic is sound with good recovery but annoying limit of seven digit negative numbers.

Components:	1 x cpu; General Instruments CF585 7612 (week 12 of 1976) 28 pin DIL, 0.6" width 1 x 9 digit VFD; single flat faced glass tube: NEC FIP lD8233 No. 7L Japan (date code November 1977?) 2 x transistor 4 x diodes 6 x capacitors 5 x resistors 1 x transformer
Boards:	The main cpu board (mark 13) floats loose on top of the keyboard assembly. The latter is connected via a 15-way ribbon cabel and is attached to the front with 8 screws
Construction:	Very difficult to open - I recommend that you do not try as damage is sure to result. The best way I found was to push the rear section in so that the bottom pops and then gently travel up the sides and hinge from the top (you can see these lugs in the battery compartment). Take 20 minutes.

Logic comments:	(CE/C) will cancel the last entry whilst a second press will clear the calculator completely
	Overflow on the input number is suppressed - typing in a ninth digit is ignored
	There is automatic constant on all functions
	The negative sign is shown on the immediate left of a number but does not travel into the ninth digit to allow eight digit negative numbers
	Divide by zero shows "C........0." starting the the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	Overflow shows the result with all decimal points and "C" in the far left (ninth) digit and is recoverable using (CE/C)
	Memory store is indicated by the lower right vertical segment of the far left (ninth) digit
	The X<>M key exchanges the contents of the display register with the memory
	It is possible to store an error: try (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(M-) which appear to work fine but when you recall memory with (MR) you will see the error "G.-.1.2.3.4.5.6.7." which is recoverable using (CE/C)