Cave PCB's with batteries....help please.

[Spanky]

I searched the site for this question but got a whole bunch of other links to the trading forum and chat but nothing concrete.

The batteries that Cave use in Dodonpachi DOJ and other boards, how do you replace them and if you don't does it end up being like CPS2/3 where the game dies?

Sorry if this has been answered a bajillion times but I am worried about my DOJ is all.

thanks

(mod edit - wow, old thread. moved to hardware for easier searching.)

[Dave_K.]

Its only a problem with DOJ Black Label, that you need to keep the battery fresh and charged. White label, Espgaluda, and Ketsui all have no problem if the battery dies, in fact its probably a good idea to remove the battery (if they are original) before they start leaking. The only side effect of removing the battery in this case is the settings will return to full defaults upon bootup.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

For Spanky,

Rest assured that a regular PGM-based DDP-DOJ PCB won't go up in smoke if the back-up battery goes to pot...the back-up battery just saves the arcade operator's user game settings. Otherwise, it would keep going back to the default settings if it does bite the dust. ^_~

Now, if you play/own the rarer DDP-DOJ Black Label PCB variant, then yes, you would be correct to worry about it not booting up if the back-up battery goes kaput (since the decryption key is stored in a section that used by the battery...if it goes, you're fucked big time). Fellow shmupper rtw can restore/revive such "dead" DDP-DOJ BL PCBs if the battery dies...that is good to know. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Spanky]

Its only a problem with DOJ Black Label, that you need to keep the battery fresh and charged. White label, Espgaluda, and Ketsui all have no problem if the battery dies, in fact its probably a good idea to remove them (if they are original) before they start leaking.

I have a Espgaluda also. How do you know when it is white label?
(Is there supposed to be a white label on the board? )

So removing the battery is smart. Ok so nothing happends to the board once removed?

Thanks for your time man.!

[jpj]

unless you like your pcbs the way you like your women (set to free play and demo sound off )

and yes, it wont suicide. i would definitely recommend opening the blue case to give it a clean and check the battery. they're only supposed to last 6 years, and the game is 7 years old now. you wont want battery acid leaking onto the board you should be able to get the exact same batteries from mouser, if you want to replace it

edit: http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.asp ... 5608303012

here you go dude

[Dave_K.]

Sorry, just updated my original post which I think answered your second question. The only side effect of removing the battery is the operator setting return to full defaults. This might be a pain if you normally use free play setting. If you insert coins, you are fine.

DOJ is the only game out of those that had a black label version.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Its only a problem with DOJ Black Label, that you need to keep the battery fresh and charged. White label, Espgaluda, and Ketsui all have no problem if the battery dies, in fact its probably a good idea to remove them (if they are original) before they start leaking.

I have a Espgaluda also. How do you know when it is white label?
(Is there supposed to be a white label on the board? )

So removing the battery is smart. Ok so nothing happends to the board once removed?

Thanks for your time man.!

Dave K. is just pulling your leg...the term "White Label" DDP-DOJ PCB is nothing more than a regular DDP-DOJ PCB one (meaning the same one that you already own). I had the back-up battery on my DDP-DOJ PCB replaced last year, so it's good for another five to six years down the road. Plus, I like the handy option of having it set on "Free Play" setting as opposed having to coin-up or press the coin button on my candy cab & superguns setup. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Spanky]

Dave K ,PCX ,jpj you guys all rock thanks so much.


My women must be set to free play!!!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Glad to help out you out, Spanky...yeah, it's nice to treat your women with a little one-on-one quality time. Lol ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[justice99]

Hello,

I received yesterday an Espgaluda PCB :




Is the battery original ? Should i take it off ? How ? With a desoldering pump ?

I would like to know what the switches are for since the manual is in Japanese.

There are 2 switches and a button on the bottom, and one pot on the top.

Thanks in advance.

[Casey120]

The battery is the original Varta, replacing it is a 2 minute solder job .
The tumble switch is to clear the Vram if the board crashes which probably never happens , the small button functions as the menu button on your cab , the pot on top is the audio pot .

[safetyboy]

I would use solder wick instead of a pump as its cleaner, you dont want to short out any traces.

[exidy]

Casey120 is right, its not a suicide battery on there.

Removing the battery and replacing it just takes minutes.

Jon

[Casey120]

Only if you have a original and working DDP Doj BL PCB you don't want to touch that toggle switch as it suicides the board immediately

[justice99]

Thanks guys, i will order some solder wick and take the battery off.
If i want to replace the battery, do you know where i can find one already mounted (or not ) ?

Thanks in advance.

[exidy]

Solder Wick is a good idea, but you can remove the battery without any problems.

Touch the bottom of the battery with a soldering iron and pull the battery from the other side - removing them cleanly.

I find using solder wick or a desolder iron afterwards is much easier.

I actually have to remove my espgaluda battery and replace it, maybe I should post pix?

(updated, pix included)









Jon

[justice99]

I actually have to replace my espgaluda battery and replace it, maybe I should post pix?

Jon

Please !
Where can i find a battery and the 2 pieces of metal to hold the battery ?

Thanks.


Edit : Thanks for these pictures.

[exidy]

Yeah you should be able to buy the battery with the legs on there.

Ill search around for you in a bit and post a link or two.

Jon

[STG]

I actually have to replace my espgaluda battery and replace it, maybe I should post pix?

Jon

Please !
Where can i find a battery and the 2 pieces of metal to hold the battery ?

Thanks.


Edit : Thanks for these pictures.

http://www.tnrbattery.com/varta-3-v80h- ... nimh-pack/

It's all one battery unit, you'll just have to clip the end pieces after you solder it onto the board.

[justice99]

Thank you very much guys, will i have to replace this battery after couple of years ?

Otherwise i prefer to run the PCB without it

[Skykid]

Thank you very much guys, will i have to replace this battery after couple of years ?

Otherwise i prefer to run the PCB without it

There's no real need to replace the battery unless you want to sell it and feel it would be more 'complete' with it attached. I removed all the varta batteries from my boards because I caught my original DOJ leaking around the time the phenomenon was brought to the attention of the forums. It really makes no difference, since these games are meant to be played on default settings anyway.

[Casey120]

10 dollar for one Varta ?

I buy them on ebay 4 for $ 5,00

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/150961337896

[exidy]

I would replace the battery only because you cant change the settings otherwise.
I like to have my games set for free play and no attract sound.

Im not sure how the high score is affected.

Jon

[STG]

10 dollar for one Varta ?

I buy them on ebay 4 for $ 5,00

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/150961337896

But I only needed one (and no international shipping). I'm sure buying in bulk is going to get you better rates on these small batteries, like anything else.

[Dave_K.]

Even with battery, these boards don't save high score (barring some hacked roms of course). And yes, you only want to replace the battery if you prefer free play or other non-default game settings, otherwise its best to leave it off.

[Casey120]

10 dollar for one Varta ?

I buy them on ebay 4 for $ 5,00

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/150961337896

But I only needed one (and no international shipping). I'm sure buying in bulk is going to get you better rates on these small batteries, like anything else.

It's free worldwide shipping and one is $ 2.14 .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-Ni-MH-80mAh- ... 5d38ad26fe

[justice99]

10 dollar for one Varta ?

I buy them on ebay 4 for $ 5,00

http://www.ebay.nl/itm/150961337896

But I only needed one (and no international shipping). I'm sure buying in bulk is going to get you better rates on these small batteries, like anything else.

It's free worldwide shipping and one is $ 2.14 .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1x-Ni-MH-80mAh- ... 5d38ad26fe

You better buy an original VARTA battery, not a chinese noname one, we are talking about CAVE PCB

Thanks you guys for all these advices.

[Casey120]

Everybody hates the Varta ones because they tend to leak acid after a couple of years and damage the PCB .
Two of my boards had leaky Varta's that I replaced with Camelion batteries which are probably made in China as are the Varta's and all others .

Here's my PGM mobo I recently did with the original Varta :



My Doj was even worse !

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I use a Varta backup battery on a DDP-DOJ WL PCB with a modded eprom converted to a current DOJ BL PCB setup. Since it has the 2nd upgraded eprom that saves both high scores & high score initials functionality from the get-go, the Varta battery is necessary for that purpose alone.

Note: There's a DOJ BL eprom upgrade without the saving functionality if so desired (and a Varta battey wouldn't be needed anyways). Take your pick when pursuing such a DOJ WL PCB for your PCB collection to play it as a converted DOJ BL PCB.

On the average, a typical Varta battery will last about 5 to 6 years tops on a DDP-DOJ, Ketsui or ESPgaluda PCB setup. Of course, your mileage will vary with such Varta batteries with your PCBs. It's a given.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~