The wonders of electronics contact cleaner

[+boxpressed]

Until today, I might have been one of the few AA users who never owned a can of electronics contact cleaner. I recently bought a mixed lot of Colecovision stuff that came with two regular controllers and two Super Action controllers. Every controller had a problem, from non-functioning action buttons to the joystick not registering in one direction. I decided I would buy a can of contact cleaner and see what happened. Well, a shot of contact cleaner into the problem areas of each controller fixed three of them! Couldn't be easier. Plus, because the action buttons on one of the SACs were the problem, I could shoot some cleaner into the controller without having to take it completely apart, which I hear is very difficult.

 

Next on the list are some Odyssey 2 joysticks, 2600 paddles, and Astrocade controllers.

 

Unless there's some hidden danger to using this stuff, I can't imagine why everyone shouldn't have some.

[+20ohm20]

I go through a can of the stuff every three or four months. Every single set of Atari 2600 paddles I've received in the last three years has needed it (except for one individual paddle that actually needed a pot replacement).

[axh174]

Is there a particular brand/type you recommend? I just got some paddles that could use it.

[+boxpressed]

I bought mine at a mega-store called Menard's. It is made by a company called "Max Professional" and it is labeled, simply, "Contact Cleaner." The can says it is used for "circuit boards, power tools, batteries, and electrical repair." It was around $7 for an 11 oz. can, and it comes with a red straw extension (essential). I imagine that most of this stuff is the same, regardless of manufacturer.

 

Since the last post, I fixed the first two jittery Astrocade paddles I opened. If this fixes my Vectrex joystick, I'll be amazed.

[Hatta]

Yeah, it's good stuff. The reason it works better than alcohol is that it's mostly non-polar hydrocarbons. Like dissolves like, so non-polar solvents will pick up more non-polar residue than a polar alcohol will. This does mean that you'll want to keep it away from rubber, as non-polar solvents can weaken it.

[+boxpressed]

I think contact cleaner fixed one of my Colecovisions! I received another CV yesterday -- an "as-is" lot from eBay (very cheap). Anyway, the opening screen seemed okay, but the colors of the "COLECOVISION" logo were muted, if that makes any sense. The menu screen was okay. But the play screen showed lots of weird artifacts -- vertical lines through the DK girders, a blob for a ship in Cosmic Avenger. I figured I'd have to open the case and maybe fiddle with the DRAM. I knew that a lot of issues had to do with the power switch, so I just sprayed some cleaner onto the power port and then the RF port. Bingo! Logo is more vibrantly colored, and the play screen is normal. Hope it lasts.

[keilbaca]

Contact cleaner is amazing. My colecovision would only work if it was on its end... weirdest thing I ever seen. Tried cleaning the cart slot with rubbing alcohol and a cartridge, and nothing. Opened it up, didn't find anything wrong. Sprayed some in the power, rf, and cartridge slot, and it works perfectly now.

 

I really need to keep a can on me in case I decide to play Medieval Mayhem (I've thrown same day parties of Atari 2600 with some friends), and I end up with some jittery paddles.

Edited November 9, 2011 by keilbaca

[+boxpressed]

I know. I was reading old threads about CV repair, and it seemed like a lot of people were planning to replace ICs or DRAM to fix garbled graphics. I wonder how many of their problems could have been solved by this ten-second fix. (Just fixed one of the controllers that came with the unit by spraying the stick and button contacts.)

[AtariLeaf]

Good to know. I'll pick up a can for just such issues. So this is recommended to clean cart contacts too instead of isopropyl alcohol?

[+boxpressed]

Good to know. I'll pick up a can for just such issues. So this is recommended to clean cart contacts too instead of isopropyl alcohol?

 

I think it is preferred over alcohol, but I'm not sure. I'll plan to use it first, but you have to be careful that it doesn't spray onto the cart label.

[+5-11under]

Sounds good! I've added this info to the CV DIY repair/mod thread, because I don't think it was explicitly mentioned anywhere there: http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/163446-diy-modifications-for-colecovision/page__view__findpost__p__2404819

[S1500]

I have a few Atari 5200 modules & a handful of Intellivision modules that could be used to test this theory. Some games I have just won't go past the title screen on my Inty1.

 

Of course, I was lazy & just bought another 5200 Galaxian for 3 bucks since my first one didn't work at all.

[+boxpressed]

I have a few Atari 5200 modules & a handful of Intellivision modules that could be used to test this theory. Some games I have just won't go past the title screen on my Inty1.

 

Of course, I was lazy & just bought another 5200 Galaxian for 3 bucks since my first one didn't work at all.

 

I'm interested to hear the results. I have an Intellivision on the fritz that I posted about in another thread. In addition to a weird opening screen artifact, it just bugged me that my Intellivision wouldn't start the first time, every time. I'd have to jiggle the cart, inserting it almost all of the way, etc. I just wrote this off to the way old hardware behaves. So, after taking the cover off, I sprayed cleaner on the power switch and exposed parts of the mainboard. It's been only a day, but the original problem has pretty much gone away. I can insert cartridges all of the way and see the title screen the first time I flip the power switch. I'm optimistic but want to wait another couple of weeks before saying anything definitive.

[BigO]

DeoxIT products aren't exactly cheap, but they have about everything you need to clean up contacts, potentiometers, etc. Importantly, they offer products that not only clean but leave a protective coating to reduce future oxidation. They also have proper lubricants for electronic controls.

 

I have used DeoxIT D-series and Gold with a lot of success. I'll probably pick up some of the F (Fader) series stuff at some point.

[Trinity]

yup

[nathanallan]

The ONE thing I say about contact cleaner is don't let it get in contact with rom chips or at least let it sit without drying on plastic encased parts. I killed several N64 games cleaning them before I realised that-- it would seep down into the cart and eat away the plastics of the chip casings. Not a lot, just enough to move things out of place, make weird shorts, that sort of thing.

 

My only caution about it.

[FABombjoy]

What brand? I've never seen contact cleaner have this effect, and I've used several different kinds around many types of plastics.