Swapping chips or even driving from an Arduino

[ethosgr]

If the chip is the same and only the code changes for pricier devices then has anyone tried to swap the chips? I have a pt-h108 if i find a chip from a pt-h200 and swap them will this work and get the extra features that the h200 have on my h108? Also has anyone tried to completely remove the PCB and swap it with an Arduino?

[furrtek]

If the features you mention are only software-based, then it might be the case. However nothing guarantees the fact that they used the same pinouts, so without actually studying the boards, you might just fry and/or the chip or the entire printer.
Never seen anyone use an Arduino to replace the chip, but I feel that a Mega328 could be powerful enough to handle the entire thing. Might need some external storage for the characters and icons though, graphics use a lot of space.

[ethosgr]

If the features you mention are only software-based, then it might be the case. However nothing guarantees the fact that they used the same pinouts, so without actually studying the boards, you might just fry and/or the chip or the entire printer.

Yeap it definitely needs studying. If only the pinouts are different i suppose it's doable with some hard wiring. If I find a used h200 i'm gonna give it a try.

Never seen anyone use an Arduino to replace the chip, but I feel that a Mega328 could be powerful enough to handle the entire thing. Might need some external storage for the characters and icons though, graphics use a lot of space.

That would be awesome if something like that existed. You think it's doable?