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Sharp EL-8024

Date of introduction:  1977 Display technology:  LCD (yellow)
New price:   Display size:  8
Size:  5.0" x 3.0" x 0.5"    
Weight:  4.7 ounces Serial No:  61265585
Batteries:  2*AAA Date of manufacture:  year 1977
AC-Adapter:  EA-17 Origin of manufacture:  Japan
Precision:  8 Integrated circuits:  Hitachi HD37001
Memories:  1    
Program steps:   Courtesy of:  Joerg Woerner

On the first glance this Sharp EL-8024 calculator looks like one of the typical early calculators using the yellow screen LCD introduced with the EL-8020. Nevertheless it is an odd calculator using an external AC adapter together with replacable batteries. We know the uncomfortable AC adapters from the power hungry calculators using LED (light-emitting-diodes) or VFD (vacuum-flourescent-display). But the main advantage of the modern LCD calculators together with calculator IC’s in C-MOS technology was the dramatical cut in power consumption. No need for an external power supply in conjunction with the 2 AA-sized batteries.

The following comparision table gives you an idea of the continues approach in reducing power consumption of simple 4-banger calculators:

Year Calculator Display   IC Batteries Energy Working 
time		 Power 
consumption
1972 Datamath LED P-MOS 6*AA NiCd 3200 mWh 6h 550mW
1973 EL-805 sLCD  C-MOS 1*AA 1500 mWh 100h 15mW
1975 TI-1200 LED N-MOS 9V PP3 2800 mWh 20h 140mW
1977 EL-8024 yLCD C-MOS 2*AAA 1100 mWh 30h 35mW
1978 TI-1030 LCD C-MOS 2*LR43 400 mWh 1000h 0.4mW
1998 €-2000 LCD C.MOS 1*LR189 250 mWh 10000h 0.025mW

 

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, March 13, 2002. No reprints without written permission.