Atari 800 Replacement Console Key Switches

[flashjazzcat]

Anyone know of a suitable replacement part for the switches under the 800 console keys? I have non-working Start and Select keys here and I'm not overly confident of being able to fix them. The switches break the (5v) circuit when depressed. I'm gonna take them off and have a gander at them anyway...

[firestorm]

Hi, did you try to dismantle them? It is easy

[flashjazzcat]

Hi, did you try to dismantle them? It is easy

 

I took them off the board, but they appear to be sealed plastic boxes. I was considering replacing them with XL keyboard switches... but do you have inside info? If so - I'm all ears!

[firestorm]

Ok, mine are not sealed, on sides you have like clips. Try to push them gently apart and it snap open, just clean contact and done...

[flashjazzcat]

Thanks. I'll look at them again tonight.

[kenjennings]

Aren't the console key switches the same as the trigger switch in the paddles and driving controller?

[retrobits]

I can confirm that the trigger switch in the paddle controllers is a compatible replacement for the 800 console switches. There are two types in the paddles that I found during my repair tonight. The power circuit board of the 800 will take both types (the two types use different solder points on the board). I tried to open the non-working switches without destroying them but was unable to figure out how. In any case, after replacing the faulty switches, I have a fully working Atari 800 again. Thanks kenjennings for the suggestion.