Sharp Elsimate EL-8018

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Calculators: Handheld: Sharp EL-8018 (Elsimate)

		Size:	79.5mm x 137mm x 22.5mm (w,h,d) Weight 114g excluding batteries.
		Power:	3V DC, 2 x AA size batteries and recommends rechargeable batteries EA-18B, 2.4V. It accepts an adapter/charger (EA-17E, 3V 0.3W) through a top side socket on the far right. Charging time is quoted as 15 hours whilst battery life is 10.5 hours (manganese) and 8.5 hours (Ni-Cd).
		Case:	Modern slim line two piece plastic case in smooth dark brown and beige. The front is dominated by a wrap around brushed aluminium panel. This is printed red, white and black for the brand, model number and on/off switch label. A flat and slightly proud green plastic display filter gives a good bright image. A metallic sticker, printed black is crudely placed on the front panel with the country of origin. The keys are soft and bouncy but work well enough and have deep engraved symbols.
		Display:	8 digit green VFD with a ninth digit for negative and error indicators.
		Features:	Four function with percentages, square roots, sign change and one function memory
		Age:	1976
		Manufacturer:	Sharp Corporation, made in Japan, serial number 62425107 on a sticker in the battery compartment. Also have possessed serial number 62121845.
		Comments:	Stylish slim with a high quality solid feel. Quirky right hand extra digit is typical of Sharp but this has elements of a Casio clone with the individual key escutcheons. The logic is not so good, suffering from a lack of consistent recovery, limited automatic constant and the negative zero bug. The memory function is all but useless. The original cover is soft black plastic, open top and top sides (the right more than the left) with Sharp embossed on the front and Made in Japan on the back.

Components:	1 x cpu: Hitachi HD37331 6G13 (date code 13th July 1976) 28 pin DIL , 0.6" width black plastic 1 x nine digit VFD unit: Futaba 9-ST-20 6G (July 1976) flat faced single tube 2 x transistors 4 x diodes 3 x resistors 6 x capacitors 1 x transformer: TDK 1369 Japan
Boards:	The main cpu board (F1377CC) sits loosely on top of the keyboard assembly (HDK F1376CC) and is joined by a 13-way ribbon cable. The latter is attached to the front with a couple of plastic lugs.
Construction:	Remove the screw in the battery compartment. It is then quite difficult to open as there are two internal lugs on the top and bottom edge and one on each side. You have to try and push in the rear section. It is quite tricky so be warned - damage can easily result. I found it easiest to start with the top side and work around. The rear eventually lifts off.

Logic comments:	The (C/CE) key is used to cancel entry on the first press and clears the whole calculator on the subsequent. Two presses are needed to clear the total memory function.
	Overflow on the input of a number is suppressed, typing in a ninth digit ignores the last number
	There is automatic constant on multiply and divide only
	Negative numbers are flagged by a "-" sign in the far right (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers.
	A divide by zero shows zero and "C" in the far right (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	Overflow shows the result with "C" ("E" if negative) in the far right (ninth) digit and is recoverable using (C/CE)
	There is a one function memory. Using (T) will recall the total accumulation of every number that results from an equals key. Use (C/CE) twice or press (T) twice to clear it. Memory store is not indicated - you have to remember it
	The change sign function can be used in mid number entry
	Negative square roots are not allowed and show the result with an "E" in the far right (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	This calculator suffers the negative zero bug: key in (1)(-)(2)(=) to give "-1" now key in (+)(1)(=) to give "-0"


To the left is a second example, this time missing the "Made in Japan" sticker but having a "Total Memory" sticker.	The box on the left measures 85mm by 157mm and is 32mm deep. It is therefore, just big enough to accommodate the calculator, manual and cover. It is made from an inner card former and a printed "O" sleeve in yellow and black. The left hand side has a white window for stamping the calculator serial number. Ref: SPAKC 2014CCZZ. Made in Japan.	The manual above measures 131mm by 70mm consists of 52 printed pages and is black and white on all internal pages. It is in English, German, French and Spanish in two different sections. Good descriptions and specifications with pictorial guidance to the keys. Quote: "Thank you very much for your purchase... This calculator is so easy and fast." Ref E.G.F.S. <M1732> Printed in Japan.