Sandpapering Contacts

[evildragon]

So, I was having Sega CD problems (constant lockups, even on cart games), and it was directly related to the dirty contacts on the Genesis' expansion connector.

So, eraser heads wouldn't work, and as a last STUPID move, I used a sanding block. Now, the contacts are copper colored instead of the tin plating. While the lockups are gone, I fear it may rust.

Will it rust? And how can I restore the tin plating?

(Yes, I worry alot about little things)

[evildragon]

*bump* Yea, seriously, what do I do?

[PingvinBlueJeans]

*bump* Yea, seriously, what do I do?

Wait more than a day for someone to respond?

j/k

Not much you can do to restore the plating really...certainly nothing cost-effective. Will the contacts rust or corrode? Probably not, as long as you keep them away from moisture. I'd recommend avoiding the sandpaper in the future though.

[FABombjoy]

Yeah, don't worry about it. The copper pipes in my house are 50+ years old and still gold colored. If they discolor, just run some metal polish over them.

Alternately, you could re-tin them with a thin layer of solder.

[evildragon]

My soldering iron hasn't liked me for a while now, I'd be afraid to tin it with it, would probably end up bumpy in some way.

I'll leave it be, but check up on it in a month or something.

[jb143]

Copper won't rust but it does build up corrosion and turn dull in color which will not conduct as well. I'd also suggest retinning the contacts with a small dab of solder. If it's been a while I'd actually suggest re-sanding it just a little with a fine sandpaper to remove the corrosion then add solder.

[FABombjoy]

There are many cartridges out there that have exposed copper contacts. I'd put it back together and not give it much thought unless it actually becomes a problem.

[jb143]

There are many cartridges out there that have exposed copper contacts. I'd put it back together and not give it much thought unless it actually becomes a problem.

Are you sure it's not gold plating? That's pretty common too.

[InsaneDavid]

Are you sure it's not gold plating? That's pretty common too.

Only on the TurboGrafx-16 / PCEngine.

[FABombjoy]

Some NES games, too, undoubtedly an engineering response to ZIF connector reliability issues.

But examine any Atari, Coleco, 8-bit computer cart, etc... Not gold plated.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

If you're not comfortable with the soldering option, most high-grade metal polish have sealant compound in them that prevent moisture from affecting the metal, and in the case of cartridge contacts still allow for the proper conductivity.

Do you still have the red plastic cover for the expansion bay output contacts?

Keep that on it if you're going to disconnect the genesis from the CD.

[evildragon]

I always use the Sega CD.. It's also my CD audio player for my room.

I tried practicing tinning. Perhaps with more practice, I'll get better than this..

[phreak97]

best way to tin contacts is to put solder on there like you did, then use a wide desoldering braid (ask radio shack) to remove pretty much all the solder thats possible, then use alcohol (isopropyl is best) to remove all the dirty looking (and corrosive) flux left behind.
leaves a very thin film that wont affect the ease of attaching connectors, the way you did it, and i've done it before, presses the connector out a bit, and itll be loose if you put it on another console.

pm me if you think you need more help

(desoldering braid is used by placing it between the iron and the surface to be desoldered)