Casio AL-8S

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Calculators: Handheld: Casio AL-8S


	Size (approx):	82mm x 140mm x 20mm (max) (w,h,d) Weight 130g excluding batteries
	Power:	3.0V DC, 4 x AA size batteries. It accepts an adapter (AD-2S, 0.2W) through a socket on the left side in line with the Casio logo.
	Case:	Slab shaped calculator which is constructed from a three-piece plastic case; matt dark brown base, white gloss top and matt dark brown for the front escutcheon. The neutral display filter sits recessed and slightly tilted. Above the display is a metallic sticker that sits in its own recess and is printed black and blue with the brand and model number. Another recessed aluminium panel surrounds the keyboard and is printed with blue text for the switch and date key labels. The keys are typical Casio; keys are wobbly and squishy but work very well.
	Display:	8 digit blue VFD, with no ninth digit.
	Features:	4 function calculator with square root, percentages, fractions, date, remainder, total and four function memory. Switched fixed decimal point
	Age:	1976
	Manufacturer:	Casio Computer Co. Ltd. made in Japan. Serial number on the inside of the battery compartment is 4316271
	Comments:	Typical Casio calculator that is well built with some extra functions thrown in. Whilst the logic is sound and the extras useful, the lack of recovery and seven digit negative numbers are a bit disappointing. It is not Y2K compliant, spanning the years 1900 to 1999 only. The original cover is soft black plastic, open topped with Casio embossed on the front and Made in Japan on the back.

Components:	1 x cpu; Hitachi HD36133 6G31 (date code 31 July 1976) , 28 pin DIL, 0.6" width 1 x 8 digit VFD unit, single tube round face 3 x diodes 6 x capacitors 2 x resistors Voltage Control Board: 2 x transistors 5 x diodes 2 x capacitors 2 x resistors
Boards:	The main cpu board (E8A-1A) sits loose on top of the keyboard assembly and is joined by 18 strong copper wires. The keyboard is fixed to the front with 6 screws. There is a small piggy-back board unit on the main board that holds the voltage step-up components.
Construction:	Remove the two screws in the battery compartment. There are then two side lugs at the bottom to pop by pushing in the white section. Very difficult so if in doubt: don't bother. Eventually the rear section will lift off.

Logic comments:	The (C) button is used to clear last entry of a number and the (AC) clears the whole calculator.
	Overflow on number input is suppressed inputting a ninth digit is ignored
	Negative numbers are shown with a “-“ to the immediate left of a number but as there is no ninth digit to travel into, you are limited to seven digit negative numbers.
	An overflow shows the result with no indication of error except that it hooks up and is not recoverable.
	Divide by zero results in “E” in the far right (first) digit and is not recoverable
	There is selectable constant on all four functions by double hitting the operator; i.e. (3)(X)(X)(2)(=) gives “6”, (5)(=) gives “15” and so on.
	There is no indication of memory store – you have to remember it!
	This calculator suffers the negative zero bug. Try (1)(-)(2)(=) to give “-1” then add one with (+)(1)(=) to give “-0”
	The fraction function works by inputting using the (a b/c) key: to enter 1 ½ key in (1) (a b/c)(1) (a b/c)(2) (a b/c) and the display will show the result with reverse lower “L” signs. You can add subtract, multiply and divide with fractions but you will lose the fractional display if your answer becomes irrational or has a numerator/denominator greater than three digits. You can convert the fraction to a decimal by using the (rem) key
	The date function can be used to find the day; enter 5 Feb 1961 by keying in (6)(1)(date)(2)(date)(5)(date) and the display shows “61.02.05-0” the last zero indicating it is a Sunday. You can subtract another date to find how many days between the two.
	A switch allows you to select Floating [F], and two-fixed decimal mode with round down [CUT] or round [5/4] options.
	The (rem) key is a remainder functions. Key in (6)(/)(4)(rem) and you will get “1” and (rem) again will show the remainder “2”
	The (GT) key is a grand total; this will show the accumulated sum of every result of the (=) key.