DoDonPachi DOJ PCB owners thread. CHECK YOUR BATTERIES

[JAMMArob]

Per seeing this thread:http://www.arcadeotaku.com/forum/viewto ... =26&t=5170 Perhaps a sticky on this is in order? This problem is becoming more widespread, unfortunately.

What happens with these batteries?
It seems as if the small NiMH varta batteries are starting to give up the ghost. Normally this would not be a big problem, but these batteries begin to leak chemicals in the early stages of retirement, as seen below.

If you have not opened your sealed Doj or checked your battery, it is ESSENTIAL that you do it now! Your battery WILL leak, it is only a matter of when, not if.


How can I prevent this?
Replace or remove your stock battery, even if there is no visible sign of leaking or crystals forming. Note: You can only remove the battery on a normal (non Black Label) Doj safely. BL boards will suicide without a working battery. Once a new battery is installed, continue to keep an eye on it. I check mine about once a month. These batteries will last about 5 years, but it's better safe than sorry when you are talking about a $400+ game. Do NOT keep your Doj PCB's seal intact just because you are a collector, your board WILL die as a result, and repairs will be difficult if not impossible.

My battery is corroded, but my game still works. What now?
There is still time to prevent any further damage. Unfortunately, when the battery has crystals on it, this means the chemical compound has already started to leak onto the board. You need to remove the battery immediately. I recommend desoldering the battery, but if you aren't savvy with a soldering iron, cut off the battery.

After you remove the battery, you need to make sure that any corrosive chemicals on your PCB are neutralized. This step is important, and should be performed as a preventative measure.

-edit-

After performing this, clean the area thoroughly with a damp paper towel, then dry. Do not power on your PCB until you are certain that it is dry. I usually wait about 12 hours.

My battery is corroded, and my game is no longer working.
This means the chemicals have already started to corrode the components or traces on your board.

Does the game need the battery to function properly?
For standard non-Black Label DOJ PCBs, the answer is no. The battery only retains the soft dip settings. Without the battery, your game will reset to default settings on each power cycle.

I will be adding more to this post.

[cools]

No more stickies But please add to the wiki http://www.arcadeotaku.com/wiki !

[ElPancho]

This baking soda is the same as sodium bicarbonate? So I know what to look for in shops, cos I think I got a disaster waiting to happen on my DDP DOJ.

Any more info on the "vinegar-route" would greatly be appreciated. For example: whitch type is used. Is it the white, transparent, one or will any kind do?
Also do I use the vinegar with a toothbrush or do I just soak the pcb in it?
Thanks for making me double check my Espagaluda and DDP DOJ pcb's.

[almighty]

To play the game you don't need the battery, so why change it, it's only needed for save dip settings, etc.
correct?

[goatboy]

This is probably the case with all PGM based Cave boards i guess?

[VectorGlow]

This baking soda is the same as sodium bicarbonate? So I know what to look for in shops, cos I think I got a disaster waiting to happen on my DDP DOJ.

Yup, that's the one. More info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate

Any more info on the "vinegar-route" would greatly be appreciated. For example: whitch type is used. Is it the white, transparent, one or will any kind do?
Also do I use the vinegar with a toothbrush or do I just soak the pcb in it?

I use normal white vinegar, can't see why any other type couldn't be used though.

BTW, jamma4life - nice and informative post.

[Devil Soundwave]

Stick with the bicarb, which is alkaline. Vinegar, unsurprisngly, is an acid, and is probably not something you want to actively be putting on electronics!

[ElPancho]

Thanks guys.

I think I give the bicarb a go. But before I do that maybe I'll post some photo's of the pcb. Since the original battery was replaced by another one (same specs.) and seeing some traces of what I think to be clues that it was already treated against battery acid in Japan (got it through YAJ).

For instance, one of the traces on the jamma edge connector (solderside) switches from copper colored to silver colored.

Will get some pics up though, that prob. tells a 1000 words.

And something about the bicarb is puzzeling me .... do I use it as a powder or does one mix it with water for instance.

Thanks once again for this thread, as I'm sure it i'll save these great games.

[skykid]

Right, so after my adventures the other day desoldering my flowering battery and using sarsons vinegar to clean the hell out of the board, I went and picked up some bicarb soda today and created a paste. As I did with the vinegar, I again used a toothbrush to work the soda around the battery area, the edge connector closest to the battery area and the underside too. I even went between the 3 lengthway chips to the right in case there was any acid leakage there.

I've now cleaned all the soda off with water (also using a toothbrush - took a while) and used a tissue to dab it down.

Is there anything else I need to do guys - I'm sure this thing is cleaner than it's ever been!

[Devil Soundwave]

Right, so after my adventures the other day desoldering my flowering battery and using sarsons vinegar to clean the hell out of the board, I went and picked up some bicarb soda today and created a paste. As I did with the vinegar, I again used a toothbrush to work the soda around the battery area, the edge connector closest to the battery area and the underside too. I even went between the 3 lengthway chips to the right in case there was any acid leakage there.

I've now cleaned all the soda off with water (also using a toothbrush - took a while) and used a tissue to dab it down.

Is there anything else I need to do guys - I'm sure this thing is cleaner than it's ever been!

I would think that a good scrub with bicarb will have neutralised the acid. Maybe treat the board to some Settlers Tums too...

[VectorGlow]

Is there anything else I need to do guys - I'm sure this thing is cleaner than it's ever been!

Yup, make sure it's 100% dry before powering it back on again.

[skykid]

Is there anything else I need to do guys - I'm sure this thing is cleaner than it's ever been!

Yup, make sure it's 100% dry before powering it back on again.

Yeah, I'm leaving it at least 12 hours before trying anything.

It was working fine after the last clean, so fingers crossed I haven't destroyed it in the further cleaning process (!) it should be fine again.
Thanks for the help, will let you guys know.

[Drakon]

"It seems as if the small lithium varta batteries are starting to give up the ghost."

mind explaining what "give up the ghost" means exactly?

[JAMMArob]

Death

[skykid]

Mine appears to be working fine. Fingers crossed it remains that way. I might do one more clean in a month to be sure.

[JAMMArob]

Bump for the best solution for those who want the board to save settings. I dub this: "Cave Coin Mod, Chrome Label"

You have to modify the PCB to allow for the lower-voltage lithium battery, then you can install a lithium coin battery in place of the varta. The battery has to sit at an angle (or vertical), as there is not enough room for it to sit fully horizontal. Presto!

[cools]

Ooh, nice. Reckon something like http://www.rapidonline.com/productinfo. ... leno=62299 would fit?

[JAMMArob]

I haven't used a battery holder, just the standard horizontal-mount CR2032 lithium battery with solder tabs soldered directly to the PCB. To be honest, these batteries last 10-15 years or more, so I don't see the need for a bulky battery holder.

[cools]

I'm having wonky battery OCD here

[Catzoo]

Bump !

I red this topic when it was created , and i washed my PCB with a toothbrush , remove the battery . I buy a new one but i didn't replace it. The PCB was working gread , and seem " cleaned ".*

But i got a few problems with my power supply ( i cannot change the voltage ) , so it was around 4.85 with the PCB. With this voltage , the PCB won't boot , i got a black screen.

So i remove it for a week , i tried to unmount the power supply , and change the voltage with another game. Now i can change the voltage , and at 5.00 or 5.10 , my MVS slot is working great. So i decided to plug my DOJ again , and i got this



But this doesn't look like your error on the first page ... This image seem to move from left to right , but no " memory error " message or something

Is my DOJ Dead too ? Or is it a simple stupide problem , like voltage , Vhold etc... ?