Is it possible to fix a battery-backup on a fami cart

[Volcanon]

I am asking because I want to play FF3j on real hardware (I live in Japan) but of course the battery is LOOONG dead.

[InsaneDavid]

I am asking because I want to play FF3j on real hardware (I live in Japan) but of course the battery is LOOONG dead.

Yeah, you open the cartridge up and replace it. Simple really.

[Volcanon]

Okie. Any idea what KIND of battery is it? I'm not very technically-minded.

[InsaneDavid]

Okie. Any idea what KIND of battery is it? I'm not very technically-minded.

Same exact one that's in there, it's a CR2032 if I'm not mistaken. Also you will need to remove the existing battery clip and install a battery retainer that will allow change of the cel - the stock one is more than likely tacked to the existing clips.

[Volcanon]

Thanks.

I don't suppose the fami-stores in Akiba would have all that stuff? There ain't no radio shack in Japan.


... Actually I guess they 100% do. There's an amazing number of people in my classes who still play Ice Climber and random other stuff on real hardware.

[Dreamc@sting]

Worst case scenario - trip to Akihabara!

[Volcanon]

Yup. It helps to be 3 stations away from Akihabara by metro when it comes to gaming. Yahoo is cheaper for most stuff though.

[RyanMurf]

Same exact one that's in there, it's a CR2032 if I'm not mistaken. Also you will need to remove the existing battery clip and install a battery retainer that will allow change of the cel - the stock one is more than likely tacked to the existing clips.

good idea but you really dont have to. You can pluck the two metal pieces from the battery. All you have to do is use some electrical tape to keep the metal pieces connected to the battery. I have also gotten away with using different types of batteries it doesnt have to be exact from my experiences.

[InsaneDavid]

good idea but you really dont have to. You can pluck the two metal pieces from the battery. All you have to do is use some electrical tape to keep the metal pieces connected to the battery. I have also gotten away with using different types of batteries it doesnt have to be exact from my experiences.

Nothing like a haphazard repair. Yes, that will work, but if you're going to do something you might as well do it right.

[RyanMurf]

well im sure we are not looking at a nuclear explosion if something goes wrong. As long as u do a good tape job your good for the next 10 years:-D

[phreak97]

i do this as a service for a few gametraders stores here.. it will be a cr2032 battery, and if it isnt, a cr2032 will definately work. if you buy say three batteries for margin of error, the best way (aside from buying cr2032 batteries with tabs already attached. they can be bought from battery stores) is to use pliers to pull the tabs off the old battery (once desoldered from the board) then solder them to the new battery. but you have to do it quickly because the batteries have a plastic seal around the outside and if it overheats the battery leaks and you have to start over with a new one. if the battery starts to leak you will be able to smell a sharp acidic smell if you smell the battery. you cant miss it. once the battery has cooled, if there has been no strong smell, youre all set. once you get the hang of it you dont ruin batteries any more, but as your first one, buy extras. otherwise, if you have an old crap pc somewhere fr parts, you can desolder the battery holder from the motherboard, as it wil be a cr2032 battery holder. using a holder is by far the least risky way.

if you dont care about anything, you can use any batteries that equal 3v (cr2032 batteries are 3v).. for example two aa or aaa size batteries linked in series, but they might be hard to fit inside the cartridge.. theyll last a hundred years though lol. the physical size can be used to judge how long they will last.

dont sticky tape the tabs on.. tape doent last as long as you might think, and since it is what is keeping your game save intact, you probably want it to be reliable.



something nobody said.. opening a famicom cart is a bastard. its just plastic clips around the outside.. no screws. i have only ever opened one, and i broke it.. good luck to you.

[Volcanon]

Considering I dont really want to go out and learn how to desolder and I can't say I want to accidentally bust my cart and such, and also I dont have any tools except a screwdriver I'll probably just end up paying a store to do it as long as they don't charge some rediculous price for it. There's stores dedicated to retro so it shouldnt be that hard.