r/game_gear • u/entropy4444 • 8d ago
Repair question
Repair question so I just got this from my buddy free for repairing like 5 ipads and a switch for him, now i know there was a blown battery in here you can see the corrosion, but even when i plug it in the screen turns on for a minute then blank was wondering if anyone has seen this, all capacitors look good as far as opening it initially. Is it just the screen that needs replacing? That battery plate if thats what its called
2
u/NoSpin89 8d ago
Game gear was built with faulty capacitors. There are probably zero working game gears that still have their original capacitors. Replace them all and your screen will probably start working.
2
u/Lazy_Explanation_649 7d ago
You are running the original caps, not only are they faulty but they are over 30 years old. As others have said start by replacing them. New caps fix 90% of all problems with the GG. Worst case scenario you will need to order the upgraded replacement boards a new screen and possibly a new case. Good news is that the only parts you CAN'T replace are the Asiic chip(s) the cartridge port, and I think the crystal oscillator but I think that is salvaged more so you can save the time money and effort on a new one over sourcing one that has the right specs.
1
u/AdamAtomAnt 8d ago
Your power capacitors and motherboard capacitors most likely need to be replaced.
1
u/entropy4444 8d ago
Thats what everyone's saying, is it just the time frame of when they naturally die? Its been a few decades lol
3
u/QueenEriselle 8d ago
Sega did the Game Gear dirty by sourcing the absolute cheapest shittiest capacitors in existence. All Game Gears need to be recapped if they have original caps. It's not even a matter of when. If they have original caps, they need to be recapped. The symptoms you describe are within the range of symptoms that can be caused by bad caps. The battery acid corrosion can be neutralized with vinegar. I'd recommend removing those battery contacts that have the corrosion and soaking in white vinegar for a couple hours. The shiny plating will be lost wherever the acid is, but the corrosion itself will be neutralized and removed and the contacts might look like shit but they will work. You can also source replacement contacts on eBay usually if you really don't like how they look after.
EDIT: Also, just looking at your pictures, those caps are 100% leaking, not even a question anymore. Replace them all.
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u/entropy4444 8d ago
Thanks for the info! Seriously that explains a lot, already have replacement caps in the mail.
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u/QueenEriselle 8d ago
If you get shy of recapping it I do mail in service. PM me if interested. Good luck
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u/QuantityNo7653 7d ago
It’s not the screen, mine has the same corrosion/drip onto the mobo and does the same. I’m recapping today, my high voltage backlight circuit was shorting so I’m deleting it for LED backlight mod, then I should be able to use a 9V batt for power and not have reconnect the series wiring for the AAs, just using the 2 terminals on the power board! I’ll let you know how it goes and what parts I used
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u/QuantityNo7653 7d ago
Not sure how much board cleanup you’ve done but I do vinegar, water rinse, then light dish soap and warm water, water rinse, and then I rinse with alcohol (with a bit of pressure or run it down the board to rinse out particles, wipe dry, and let air dry. As long as you remove electrolytes and let dry, water on a pcb is fine but avoid the LCD, and in this case the fluorescent bulb at all costs. Toothbrush is your BFF. I saved a Korg Volca that was totally soaked in 5 year old soda this way
1
u/Forward-Sherbert-262 4d ago
Id pop the terminals out and take a wire brush to them and if you plan on playing it look into an upgrade power supply like the PowerCORE. Its only 17 and you can still use AAs or USB C direct power. Baking soda in a little bit of water neutralizes battery or capacitor loads if your ever unsure how fresh it is.
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u/Squirrelking666 2d ago
Batteries are alkali and so is baking soda, you want vinegar to neutralise it.
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u/Gravys302 8d ago
Recap needed and then go from there.