How to fix worn cart contacts?

[SlowCoder]

I asked this question in another thread somewhere, and I don't think it was answered.

 

One of the maladies of old carts is that the contacts get worn down. So I thought, maybe a thin layer of solder on the contacts would be a good fix? Or is the solder too soft to work over a long period?

[Rex Dart]

Well, it's too soft to work for a long period, but it does work until then. I've used it in the past to build-up contacts on auto lightbulbs that don't quite make contact, with no ill effects.

 

You can probably find some certain type of solder that would withstand the stress better than your average electronic-workin' stuff too.

Edited August 25, 2011 by Rex Dart

[the-topdog]

I just use conductive copper tape like this stuff http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/0036

 

I have one of the 1/4" rolls and just slice it thinner. The cool thing about this stuff is that the adhesive on the tape is conductive.

 

Not a bad fix for $3

[fiddlepaddle]

I used to have a pen that wrote in conductive ink (silver colored, paint-like substance) which I used, and it worked. I don't remember where I got it though, maybe hardware store or an electronics store (like Fry's).

[jferio]

You can always find a game that's really not well regarded and common as dirt, and swap the PCBs under the chips, assuming the boards are identical outside of the chip on them.

 

Oh. Hey. I just found a use for all those 2600 Pac-Man carts we keep seeing in the wild.

[VectorGamer]

I just use conductive copper tape like this stuff http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/0036

 

I have one of the 1/4" rolls and just slice it thinner. The cool thing about this stuff is that the adhesive on the tape is conductive.

 

Not a bad fix for $3

 

Can you post a pic of your fix?

[SlowCoder]

I used to have a pen that wrote in conductive ink (silver colored, paint-like substance) which I used, and it worked. I don't remember where I got it though, maybe hardware store or an electronics store (like Fry's).

 

Those are the ones for drawing out circuits, right? How well do they hold up to use?

[Melissa Melville]

I used to have a pen that wrote in conductive ink (silver colored, paint-like substance) which I used, and it worked. I don't remember where I got it though, maybe hardware store or an electronics store (like Fry's).

 

Those are the ones for drawing out circuits, right? How well do they hold up to use?

 

If it works for a PCB it will work for an NES. I used this to repair the crispy edge on my Gyruss PCB.

 

Copper tape and solder will hold up long enough until you have to do them again

 

Crap, that was the wrong link.

Edited August 27, 2011 by Melissa Melville

[fiddlepaddle]

I used to have a pen that wrote in conductive ink (silver colored, paint-like substance) which I used, and it worked. I don't remember where I got it though, maybe hardware store or an electronics store (like Fry's).

 

Those are the ones for drawing out circuits, right? How well do they hold up to use?

I couldn't tell you since only a few of my games get lots of use and I don't remember which one I fixed (and there're too many to go look at them all to figure out which one it was).

 

I can say I only fixed one cart and I've never had to fix it again, though.

[the-topdog]

I just use conductive copper tape like this stuff http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/0036

 

I have one of the 1/4" rolls and just slice it thinner. The cool thing about this stuff is that the adhesive on the tape is conductive.

 

Not a bad fix for $3

 

Can you post a pic of your fix?

 

Yeah I'll take some pix in the next few days and post.

[Mr.Atari1]

I have ab SNES but the tip inside the machine the chip readers contacts where it gets the game there not working what can i do?

[the-topdog]

Here is an example of contact repairs using the conductive copper tape. It works awesome because the adhesive is conductive as well.

[VectorGamer]

Here is an example of contact repairs using the conductive copper tape. It works awesome because the adhesive is conductive as well.

 

Dumb question: Why couldn't you just run one strip of tape across the width of the edge connector?

[SlowCoder]

Here is an example of contact repairs using the conductive copper tape. It works awesome because the adhesive is conductive as well.

 

I have tape like that that I use on my stained glass. Wonder if it's the same as what you're using?

Do you ever have a problem with the tape coming off inside the console?

 

Dumb question: Why couldn't you just run one strip of tape across the width of the edge connector?

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, but I doubt your console would ever work again after inserting the cartridge and turning it on. You'd be shorting every connection to ground. Am I misunderstanding?

[the-topdog]

I have tape like that that I use on my stained glass. Wonder if it's the same as what you're using?

 

There are two types of copper tape. One has conductive adhesive and one has normal adhesive. The type with normal adhesive will not work for obvious reasons.

 

Do you ever have a problem with the tape coming off inside the console?

 

That is always a possibility, but the conductive adhesive is pretty heavy duty, it supports 7lbs per square inch... so you would have to be pretty rough with it to do so.

Edited September 3, 2011 by the-topdog

[the-topdog]

Dumb question: Why couldn't you just run one strip of tape across the width of the edge connector?

 

I may just be misunderstanding what you are saying, but that would short out the entire cartridge and would possibly even damage your console.

[Galeforcerm]

Ive used conductive paint in the past. Its.for repairing the traces on car window defrosters. Doesnt last long though. Also works on 5200 fire buttons. You just put it on the little pad on the back of the button.