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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 replaceable batteries. We know the uncomfortable AC adapters from the power hungry calculators using LED (light-emitting-diode) displays or VF (vacuum-fluorescent) displays. But the main advantage of the modern LCD calculators together with calculator chips manufactured in CMOS technology was the impressive reduction in power consumption. No need for an external power supply in conjunction with the 2 AAS-sized batteries.

The following comparison 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 PMOS 6*AA NiCd 3200 mWh 6h 550mW
1973 EL-805 sLCD  CMOS 1*AA 1500 mWh 100h 15mW
1975 TI-1200 LED PMOS 9V PP3 2800 mWh 20h 140mW
1977 EL-8024 yLCD CMOS 2*AAA 1100 mWh 30h 35mW
1978 TI-1030 LCD CMOS 2*LR43 400 mWh 1000h 0.4mW
1998 €-2000 LCD CMOS 1*LR189 250 mWh 10000h 0.025mW



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

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