Detailed 9500i Internal Photos...

**MEM-TEK** · 03-10-2008, 12:35 AM

Hi everyone,

Following are detailed internal photos of my 9500i which I fully disassembled in order to take these photos. Jimbonzzz and the rest of you electronic gurus can figure out what some of the various ICs are for.

Please don't try taking apart your radar detector simply because I did it. No matter how careful you are, there is the possibility that your RD won't work once you get it put back together. No matter what, NEVER REMOVE THE HORN FROM THE BOARD if it is a Bel or Escort model.

Enjoy the photos!

P.S. Yes, my 9500i still works just fine after being put back together.

--Michael

Bottom of Main Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Bottom of Main Board with the Horn removed:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Cast aluminum Horn:

Local Oscillator board installed on Main Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Crystals on bottom of Main Board:

ICs installed on bottom of Main Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Top of Main Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

ICs on top of Main Board:

ICs on top of Main Board:

Top of GPS Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Bottom of GPS Board:

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Bottom of GPS Board (ribbon removed):

(Click here for high resolution version.)

Top side of GPS-LCD Ribbon:

Bottom side of GPS-LCD Ribbon:

LCD display part number:

Top of Control Button Board:

Bottom of Control Button Board:

**fusion2007** · 03-10-2008, 12:49 AM

there goes ur warranty..lol

**SAfricanCracker** · 03-10-2008, 02:08 AM

Thanks for sharing that with us!

**Jabomb9** · 03-10-2008, 02:24 AM

You have some balls my friend! It is very interesting, even to me. It seems so simple.

**kgalvin** · 03-10-2008, 06:21 AM

damn, great pics, i cant imagine taking my rd apart like that.

**AirMoore** · 03-10-2008, 08:15 AM

Nice photos as always!

How well did that go back together for you?

**Retaliation** · 03-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Yeah, definitely great pics. I wouldn't have the balls to take apart my detector. I'm sure it would never work again if I tried doing that.

**MEM-TEK** · 03-10-2008, 11:14 AM

I may not know nearly as much about electronics as The Professor, but I did used to work at a mom and pop computer store where I both did sales and built computer systems. Thats where I learned a lot more about taking proper ESD precautions when working with electronics. You have to be even more cautious with radar detectors since some of the components can be damaged by just a few volts of static electricity or can be blown by just a few volts of reverse voltage. This is particularly true for the microwave diodes used in the vintage radar detectors which I have refurbished. You also have to be careful not to touch any of the solder contacts and traces, particularly on the LO board, since acid from the sweat in your fingertips can get left behind and this can oxidize solder contacts or tiny board traces. Obviously this could be particularly bad for proper operation of the LO board electronics.

Please don't try taking apart your radar detector simply because I did it. No matter how careful you are, there is the possibility that your RD won't work once you get it put back together. No matter what, NEVER REMOVE THE HORN FROM THE BOARD if it is a Bel or Escort model.

My 9500i still works perfectly after being put back together.

**Esoterica** · 03-10-2008, 01:12 PM

Way cool, thanks for sacrificing your detector like this for our viewing pleasure. I'm working right now and can't even begin to take the time looking at this for the moment like I would like to do, but know what I'll be spending tonight checking out for sure, better than porn and won't cause blisters! (Plus its actually legal in most countries).

Since you have the horn out you may as well polish it up so its nice and shiny and smooth. This way the radar waves will flow better across its surface and into it. You might be able to gain three additional inches of detection range by doing so.