The bad battery thread - Neo-Geo Forums

channelmaniac · 10-11-2009, 04:58 PM

Time for a reminder that everyone should check their NiCd batteries for leakage!

The solder joint should look nice and shiny and the end of the battery should look clean, like this:

HOWEVER...

BOTH ends of the battery must be checked. If the Negative side looks like this:

Then the battery MUST be replaced. Notice the fuzzy growth on the end of the battery? Is it dust? NO! The battery is leaking.

How can you tell it's not dust?

Easy. Look at the solder joint on the board. See all that crystalline fuzzy growth on it? THAT is from the leaking battery and is not dust. Compare that picture to the first one. Those are 2 pics from the same battery. BOTH solder joints should be clean and shiny.

This battery must be replaced. (and in this case was... this was a board fixed for a forum member)

If your board looks like this, then it may be too late to save:

If you have pictures of leaking batteries on your game board, post them up for everyone to see. Sometimes the only clue of a leaking battery is a discoloration on traces near it, such as when a battery just starts to leak on a 4 slot board.

RJ

brentsg · 10-11-2009, 05:50 PM

Great post Kernow's dead DDP DOJ board saved my 4 slot MVS.

I hadn't thought of it in forever but got me to take it apart and look. I thought it was fine at first but once I got the battery out I could see some residue. I neutralized it with baking soda and cleaned it all up.

I left it out though because that is the extend of my skills. What would you charge me to do a proper battery mod on the board? I'd like one that doesn't hang out... and doesn't need to be charged or anything.

Thanks!

Xian Xi · 10-11-2009, 06:13 PM

This is the one that was on a CMVS I bought, no wonder it was cheap. It still has RAM problems so I need to swap the RAM, too.

SniperElite · 10-11-2009, 09:20 PM

Good Looking out! This may be a good thread to sticky!

Blur2040 · 10-12-2009, 07:53 AM

Aww, rats.

You were just a few hours late on this thread. About two weeks ago, I purchased a pinball machine. I'm busy so it took until yesterday to get to the battery.

The battery looked OK from the front and still saved information. Flipped the board over...and fuzzy corrosion on the solder points for the battery. No other corrosion anywhere else as far as I could see. Close one.

Biohazard53 · 10-12-2009, 08:45 AM

probably a stupid question but where can I get these batteries?

channelmaniac · 10-12-2009, 10:49 AM

Mouser
Newark
Jameco
Batteries Plus

And a number of other places.

RJ

pixeljunkie · 10-13-2009, 03:31 PM

i need to order some varta batteries....this thread is like a defensive driving video with gruesome deaths....but MORE horrifying.

MadSlacka · 11-05-2009, 09:39 PM

Hmm, Think I'll check right now. Thanks for the tip!

Xian Xi · 11-06-2009, 10:29 AM

I hink this should be stickied.

brentsg · 11-06-2009, 10:54 AM

I think some other beneficial information would be around care and feeding of these batteries. I can't say I really know enough about them.

-I know they are rechargeable so they rely on being powered up from time to time. How much is enough?

-If they sit in storage for months at a time do the batteries die faster than if they are used more frequently?

-Aside from seeing signs of failure, is there some testing we can do to make sure they are good? I recently got a board with a varta 3.6 and I have no idea how old it is. If I measure, it's putting out 3.6V. Am I good?

There's probably some other stuff, but I'm thinking there has to be some recommended care and feeding, and some troubleshooting other than "hey look it started leaking all over".

channelmaniac · 11-06-2009, 11:32 PM

The boards should be powered up for a day each month if you want to keep the batteries charged. They can keep the charge longer... it just depends on the current draw and the internal resistance (which slowly drains the battery even when not connected to anything) of the NiCd cell.

Once the solder joint starts looking fuzzy you are already on the path to doom. The solder joint will look fuzzy before the end of the battery does.

RJ

synbiosfan · 11-09-2009, 08:19 AM

+1 on the STICKY for this extremely useful information.

Thank you for the heads up

RJ & Xian's photo's are perfect examples of neglect/forgetfulness

NGT · 11-09-2009, 08:39 AM

just adding my pictures...

grandmascrack · 11-09-2009, 09:23 AM

+1 for sticky as well. I'm checking more board tonight when i get home from work. As someone who hasn't soldered a thing in his life, is installing a new battery a difficult task? I know soldering pros and can take it them, but I'd rather try and get my feet wet and some point.

Xian Xi · 12-09-2009, 10:06 AM

Monthly reminder.

ttooddddyy · 01-05-2010, 06:43 AM

If they are allowed to leak, the board may end up like my 1FS.

KaPH33n · 02-04-2010, 02:18 AM

Does it matter what brand of battery you use or is it all about the mAh? I recently replaced a few cps-2 boards with XenoEnergy XL-050FAX, all of which had maxells (original?)

Hewitson · 02-04-2010, 02:47 AM

Of course the brand doesnt matter. The voltage is what you need to look at.

mAh == milliamp-hours.. The higher this number is, the longer the battery will last without needing a recharge. However, I don't recommend you install a rechargable.

Use a lithium in series with a diode to stop the current from the board reaching the battery. It'll last for years and you won't need to worry about firing up your board every so often to charge it.

IronGiant · 02-05-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by channelmaniac

Mouser
Newark
Jameco
Batteries Plus

And a number of other places.

RJ

How about in the UK? Can't seem to see anything suitable on the Farnell or RS sites where I usually buy my components from.

Edit: Scrub that, Maplin.co.uk have the Varta 3/V80H - product code: BN22Y

KaPH33n · 02-06-2010, 06:46 PM

So I went to change the batteries out on my Darkstalkers and Vampire Savior cps2 boards and Darkstalkers now boots to a green screen

I didn't time myself, but I'm reasonably sure there's no way it took me over an hour. Visual inspection of the board doesn't give me anything... Is there anything else for me to check? I know other B boards work on that A board. I don't think the problem is the battery, the test points read 3.66 on the voltmeter.

Xian Xi · 02-06-2010, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaPH33n

So I went to change the batteries out on my Darkstalkers and Vampire Savior cps2 boards and Darkstalkers now boots to a green screen

I didn't time myself, but I'm reasonably sure there's no way it took me over an hour. Visual inspection of the board doesn't give me anything... Is there anything else for me to check? I know other B boards work on that A board. I don't think the problem is the battery, the test points read 3.66 on the voltmeter.

You could have shorted a connection to drain the residual charge in the chips. Was the old battery still pushing good voltage?

KaPH33n · 02-06-2010, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xian Xi

You could have shorted a connection to drain the residual charge in the chips. Was the old battery still pushing good voltage?

Yes, it still had a charge over 3.6, but it looked like an original maxell so I figured I might as well change it out. If I did drain the charge in the chips does that mean the board is bricked?

Xian Xi · 02-06-2010, 08:19 PM

It could but CPS2 B boards sometimes get weird boot colors when the connection to the A board isn't good. Try reseating the board again.

slugger_dan · 02-11-2010, 08:20 AM

The negative terminal of a 1F board I recently recieved. I cleaned as much of the stuff I could from the PCB and put a cell phone battery in place and the board seems to work OK (for now?).

10-11-2009, 04:58 PM	#1
channelmaniac Mr Neo Fix-it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Metromess Posts: 2,560	The bad battery thread Time for a reminder that everyone should check their NiCd batteries for leakage! The solder joint should look nice and shiny and the end of the battery should look clean, like this: HOWEVER... BOTH ends of the battery must be checked. If the Negative side looks like this: Then the battery MUST be replaced. Notice the fuzzy growth on the end of the battery? Is it dust? NO! The battery is leaking. How can you tell it's not dust? Easy. Look at the solder joint on the board. See all that crystalline fuzzy growth on it? THAT is from the leaking battery and is not dust. Compare that picture to the first one. Those are 2 pics from the same battery. BOTH solder joints should be clean and shiny. This battery must be replaced. (and in this case was... this was a board fixed for a forum member) If your board looks like this, then it may be too late to save: If you have pictures of leaking batteries on your game board, post them up for everyone to see. Sometimes the only clue of a leaking battery is a discoloration on traces near it, such as when a battery just starts to leak on a 4 slot board. RJ __________________ Call me a cheap bastard... I learned to fix things to save money... even surface mount soldering... Visit my website: http://www.arcadecomponents.com --------- I've repaired boards for many members here. Want me to repair your arcade game board? Look here. I do MVS, AES, and many other game boards. My repair logs are now kept at NewLifeGames.net Last edited by channelmaniac; 10-11-2009 at 05:02 PM..

10-11-2009, 06:13 PM	#3
Xian Xi Xian Xi for short. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawaii Mofo!!! Posts: 13,092	This is the one that was on a CMVS I bought, no wonder it was cheap. It still has RAM problems so I need to swap the RAM, too. __________________ **2 Slot CMVS For Sale** Neo Geo S-video Kits, Neo Geo Clocks for Sale, CMVS DIY Guides and more

10-12-2009, 07:53 AM	#5
Blur2040 Cheng's Errand Boy Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Columbusish, Ohio Posts: 123	Aww, rats. You were just a few hours late on this thread. About two weeks ago, I purchased a pinball machine. I'm busy so it took until yesterday to get to the battery. The battery looked OK from the front and still saved information. Flipped the board over...and fuzzy corrosion on the solder points for the battery. No other corrosion anywhere else as far as I could see. Close one. __________________ Death to Bill and Ted!

10-12-2009, 08:45 AM	#6
Biohazard53 Edo Express Delivery Guy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 334	probably a stupid question but where can I get these batteries? __________________

11-05-2009, 09:39 PM	#9
MadSlacka Lazy SNK Employee Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Providence, RI, U.S.A Posts: 53	Hmm, Think I'll check right now. Thanks for the tip! __________________

10-11-2009, 05:50 PM	#2
brentsg Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,884	Great post Kernow's dead DDP DOJ board saved my 4 slot MVS. I hadn't thought of it in forever but got me to take it apart and look. I thought it was fine at first but once I got the battery out I could see some residue. I neutralized it with baking soda and cleaned it all up. I left it out though because that is the extend of my skills. What would you charge me to do a proper battery mod on the board? I'd like one that doesn't hang out... and doesn't need to be charged or anything. Thanks!

10-11-2009, 09:20 PM	#4
SniperElite Mr. Big's Thug Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 219	Good Looking out! This may be a good thread to sticky!

10-12-2009, 10:49 AM	#7
channelmaniac Mr Neo Fix-it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Metromess Posts: 2,560	Mouser Newark Jameco Batteries Plus And a number of other places. RJ

10-13-2009, 03:31 PM	#8
pixeljunkie KING of BLING [place bling here] Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: in a glass of Orval Posts: 3,799	i need to order some varta batteries....this thread is like a defensive driving video with gruesome deaths....but MORE horrifying.

11-06-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
Xian Xi Xian Xi for short. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawaii Mofo!!! Posts: 13,092	I hink this should be stickied.

11-06-2009, 10:54 AM	#11
brentsg Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,884	I think some other beneficial information would be around care and feeding of these batteries. I can't say I really know enough about them. -I know they are rechargeable so they rely on being powered up from time to time. How much is enough? -If they sit in storage for months at a time do the batteries die faster than if they are used more frequently? -Aside from seeing signs of failure, is there some testing we can do to make sure they are good? I recently got a board with a varta 3.6 and I have no idea how old it is. If I measure, it's putting out 3.6V. Am I good? There's probably some other stuff, but I'm thinking there has to be some recommended care and feeding, and some troubleshooting other than "hey look it started leaking all over".

11-06-2009, 11:32 PM	#12
channelmaniac Mr Neo Fix-it Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Metromess Posts: 2,560	The boards should be powered up for a day each month if you want to keep the batteries charged. They can keep the charge longer... it just depends on the current draw and the internal resistance (which slowly drains the battery even when not connected to anything) of the NiCd cell. Once the solder joint starts looking fuzzy you are already on the path to doom. The solder joint will look fuzzy before the end of the battery does. RJ

11-09-2009, 08:19 AM	#13
synbiosfan There can be only one. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Flagard Castle of the Detroit suburbs Posts: 965	+1 on the STICKY for this extremely useful information. Thank you for the heads up RJ & Xian's photo's are perfect examples of neglect/forgetfulness __________________ Diabetes SUCKS! Last edited by synbiosfan; 11-09-2009 at 08:22 AM..

11-09-2009, 08:39 AM	#14
NGT Kula's Diamond Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Northern Bay Area Posts: 3,412	just adding my pictures... __________________

11-09-2009, 09:23 AM	#15
grandmascrack NEST Puppet Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 182	+1 for sticky as well. I'm checking more board tonight when i get home from work. As someone who hasn't soldered a thing in his life, is installing a new battery a difficult task? I know soldering pros and can take it them, but I'd rather try and get my feet wet and some point. __________________

12-09-2009, 10:06 AM	#16
Xian Xi Xian Xi for short. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawaii Mofo!!! Posts: 13,092	Monthly reminder.

01-05-2010, 06:43 AM	#17
ttooddddyy Kyo's Flame Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Port Moresby - Papua New Guinea Posts: 8,076	If they are allowed to leak, the board may end up like my 1FS. __________________ The twins, neo and geo. I love them both

02-04-2010, 02:18 AM	#18
KaPH33n Crossed Swords Squire Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 202	Does it matter what brand of battery you use or is it all about the mAh? I recently replaced a few cps-2 boards with XenoEnergy XL-050FAX, all of which had maxells (original?)

02-04-2010, 02:47 AM	#19
Hewitson Enemy Chaser Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,192	Of course the brand doesnt matter. The voltage is what you need to look at. mAh == milliamp-hours.. The higher this number is, the longer the battery will last without needing a recharge. However, I don't recommend you install a rechargable. Use a lithium in series with a diode to stop the current from the board reaching the battery. It'll last for years and you won't need to worry about firing up your board every so often to charge it. Last edited by Hewitson; 02-04-2010 at 02:52 AM..

02-06-2010, 06:46 PM	#21
KaPH33n Crossed Swords Squire Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hayward, CA Posts: 202	So I went to change the batteries out on my Darkstalkers and Vampire Savior cps2 boards and Darkstalkers now boots to a green screen I didn't time myself, but I'm reasonably sure there's no way it took me over an hour. Visual inspection of the board doesn't give me anything... Is there anything else for me to check? I know other B boards work on that A board. I don't think the problem is the battery, the test points read 3.66 on the voltmeter.

02-06-2010, 08:19 PM	#24
Xian Xi Xian Xi for short. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hawaii Mofo!!! Posts: 13,092	It could but CPS2 B boards sometimes get weird boot colors when the connection to the A board isn't good. Try reseating the board again.

02-11-2010, 08:20 AM	#25
slugger_dan Kuroko's Training Dummy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 82	The negative terminal of a 1F board I recently recieved. I cleaned as much of the stuff I could from the PCB and put a cell phone battery in place and the board seems to work OK (for now?).

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