Any guides on refurbishing a 2600?

[Laner]

So I've managed to acquire a couple of heavy sixers, both of which *work*, but could definitely use some maintenance to get them into tip-top condition. Are there any FAQs/guides on refurbishing these? Preferrably something more detailed than "Clean the cartridge slot with 90% isopropryl alchohol" and "Don't use Armor All"

Edited October 18, 2005 by Laner

[crunchysuperman]

Best method I've found for cleaning is to open it up, remove the guts & stick the two case halves in the dishwasher.

[Laner]

Well, I'm thinking of something more involved than that - I can clean off gunk, I'm more interested in how to make it work more reliably.

[hookem]

What I typically will do-

 

* Take it apart, wash the plastic parts with mild soap and water, dry quiclky

* Clean circuit board(s) with compressed air

* I use Radio Shack "TV Tuner cleaner" (prolly just 90% isopropyl alcohol.. haven't checked) on switches, joystick ports, and cart port

* Remove the RF cable, clean that connector with the TV tuner cleaner and possibly replace

* If the RF cable wasn't properly routed around the stress relief, when I put it back I will route it the way I think it was originally supposed to go.. around the stress relief and as far away from everything else as possible.

 

If it looks like the chips (TIA and 6502 mostly) may have loosened up a bit (like if the Atari was stored in a place that gets very hot or cold), I may go ahead and reseat them. If some of the solder points look bad, I might hit them with the soldering iron. And that's about it.

[Laner]

Best method I've found for cleaning is to open it up, remove the guts & stick the two case halves in the dishwasher.

947885[/snapback]

That made me think of something else... I've seen the dishwasher suggestion made several times. What about the serial number label? That's not something I'd want getting wet.

[keilbaca]

You can put the top half at least in the dish washer.

 

I do all the above, and test all the switches using various games. If they're not responsive as I'd like, then I use windex to clean the switches with a Q-tip.

[A.J. Franzman]

I use Radio Shack "TV Tuner cleaner" (prolly just 90% isopropyl alcohol.. haven't checked) on switches

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I usually use a foam swab and isopropyl alcohol to clean just the 2 upper and 2 lower stationary contacts. Sliding the switch back and forth a few times before the alcohol dries is usually enough to take care of the sliding contacts, and the 2 center stationary contacts should never need cleaning since they're always protected. Edited March 13, 2008 by A.J. Franzman

[crunchysuperman]

Best method I've found for cleaning is to open it up, remove the guts & stick the two case halves in the dishwasher.

947885[/snapback]

That made me think of something else... I've seen the dishwasher suggestion made several times. What about the serial number label? That's not something I'd want getting wet.

947916[/snapback]

 

I suppose you're right. The ones I did this to already had their labels worn off/removed when I got them.

[Fort Apocalypse]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but thought I'd mention this here, related to how to refurbish an Atari 2600. I've not done it, but maybe it will help someone.

 

Related topics:

* Buy new 2600A board from Best Electronics: topic

* How to do a 2600 A/V mod, although some folks on the lists might do it for you, or you could buy one with an A/V mod: topic

Edited February 1, 2009 by Fort Apocalypse

[Rik]

Contact,tuner cleaner,both the same,have 0% water.It is 100% isopropanol,isobutane,and propane.Thats why its really expensive and the best choice for cleaning electronics.Pharmacies sell 99.9 % isopropyl alcohol,the cheaper way to go.And i use the sponge tip makeup applicators,same idea as Q-tips,but they leave no lint like Q-tips can.And yes i put generous amounts of Armor All on all my stuff,regardless of the silly fuss about Armor all,its served me extremely well since the early eighties.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Rik