should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

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ED-057
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should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

Post by ED-057 »

I just happened to think, some old electronics (Amiga 2000 boards for instance) had batteries that would eventually fail and leak acid on the board, ruining surrounding circuitry. Has anyone run into this in old cartridges that used battery-backed RAM to save games? Or is it not a problem with the type of battery used in those? (I have yet to replace one so I'm not even sure what they use.) Wouldn't want my Phantasy Star and Ys games to self destruct...
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shmuppyLove
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Re: should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

Post by shmuppyLove »

You know, I would have said that the button cell batteries that I've normally seen keeping the SRAM data alive on cartridges did not leak, but I would have been quite wrong:

Image

So yes, replace them :lol:

SNES cartridge battery replacement: http://motherboard.vice.com/blog/pictur ... me-battery
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RGB32E
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Re: should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

Post by RGB32E »

The biggest problem with SNES battery replacement is the 18.5mm lead spacing. Panasonic makes a perfect replacement (CR-2032/HU3N), but I haven't found these anywhere for sale. The 20mm model would work, but doesn't fit flush with the PCB.

Electrical tape method is not ideal... *shutter*
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ChuChu Flamingo
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Re: should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

Post by ChuChu Flamingo »

Every battery can leak but cr2032 and cr2035 batteries usually do not. What makes them leak often is moisture and wetness.
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shmuppyLove
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Re: should cartridge batteries be replaced preemptively?

Post by shmuppyLove »

ChuChu Flamingo wrote:moisture and wetness.
Moisture is the essence of wetness ...

Image

Sorry couldn't resist :lol:
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