The EL-POR V4+

This page includes facts and photos about the final version of the Gerinvex EL-POR Discomatic.

An evolution of the EL-POR V4

In its later life small, incremental changes were made to the design of the EL-POR V4 machine. This page investigates those changes.

From the records I have, the first changes listed on this page started to filter through at the start of the 'AR' serial number range. More came through during the 'AX' serial numbers. By the end of the 'AX' series most of the changes were in place except for the plastic cable tidy. I've only seen this on Discomatics with 'BA' serial numbers. There is a strong possibilty that the next build of Discomatic after the 'AX' series was 'BA'.

instruction tray trim

The pull out tray is the first feature that differs slightly from earlier EL-POR. For all EL-POR machines up to and including some V4 the front of the tray is trimmed with a shiny silver plastic strip. At some stage in later life this wasn't fitted so the grey plastic edge of the tray is visible from the front of the machine. From my records this change took place quite early on, before the 'AR' serial numbers.

Mechanism covers

A very small feature of the later machines, but worth noting is the small, grey covers that were added at each end of the button mechanism.

These tidy up the appearance of the front panel a little. I've highlighted the cover at the left end of the buttons in the photos in comparison with the same area on an early EL-POR. From my records this was one of the first changes to take place, before the 'AR' serial numbers.

Plastic inner lid front supports

The front supports for the inner lid of the EL-POR up to V4 were metal boxed in the same housing as the inner lid hinge. At the top of the shaft is a small, brass wheel and this is the seat for the inner lid.

For the V4+ these evolved to a plastic moulded design that appears to be more flimsy, though to be fair I've yet to see one fail.

Bizarrely, I've seen these simple components go through five stages of evolution!! Four different designs with the plastic, domed top appearing twice. I'll list them here with serial number guides where these are confirmed.

• Original metal boxed housing with a small wheel to support the lid (up to 'AQ').
• Metal boxed housing but with plastic dome top caps ('AR').
• Plastic housing with plastic domed top cover.
• Plastic housing with flat plastic top cover (early 'BA').
• Plastic housing with plastic domed top cover re-introduced (late 'BA').

The photos show the original metal support and each stage of evolution after that.

Plastic inner lid hinges

When the outer lid is removed, the inner dustcover lifts upward at both the back and front.

This is where you find the next unique features of the V4+, the inner lid hinges.

From the first Type A machines through all versions of the EL-POR Gerinvex had used spring loaded devices to raise the rear of the inner lid when the outer lid has been removed.

For the later models, from approximately 'AS' serial numbers, Gerinvex replaced these hinges with a flexible, moulded, nylon hinge. A metal spring is tucked within the hinge to provide enough force to lift the back of the inner lid when opened.

Unfortunately, this was not a good upgrade! Most of these back hinges snap where there is a small drilling to take the end of the spring. Once the hinge is broken the inner lid breaks away. The hinges cannot easily be repaired as they endure too much force to be glued. The only option is to re-make a new hinge or remove the inner lid.

Button styles

The start and reject buttons are another feature that evolved during the later life of the V4 EL-POR. Both types are shown for comparison.

EL-POR buttons are generally small buttons moulded in red, opaque plastic. Then, in the transistion period, some samples have two green buttons.

The later, V4+ buttons are long (about 25mm) and cylindrical and moulded in a transparent, coloured plastic.

Once again, I've seen the colours of these buttons vary between samples. Most of the V4+ machines will have a green start button and a red reject button. Later V4+ machines have identical start and reject buttons in green plastic. These are typically on the higher 'BA' serial numbers. I haven't figured out a reason for this unless they just ran out of red buttons!

Plastic cable tidy

A small feature perhaps, but here's the first difference you notice between the V4 and the V4+, even before the lid is opened. The external cable tidy on the V4+ is a black, plastic moulding and has a much nicer look and feel than the metal hooks found on the earlier EL-PORs.

Summary of differences between the V4+ and V4 EL-POR

Here is a summary of the differences seen in the evolution of the late EL-POR models with approximate serial number range for introduction.

• Small plastic covers over the ends of the button mechanism ('AR')
• Grey front trim for the instruction tray ('AR').
• Plastic front supports for the inner lid ('AS')
• Plastic hinges for the inner lid ('AS')
• Revised style buttons for start and reject ('AX')
• Cable tidy changed from metal to plastic ('BA')