(Msg. 1) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:14 am
Post subject: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex Archived from groups: rec>games>vectrex (more info?)
I'm currently in the middle of installing a cap kit for my Vectrex. I
have most of the caps removed and the new ones soldered on. After
closer inspection, I noticed that the pcb's (power/logic) are dual
layered; meaning there are circuit traces on both sides. My question
is, do I need to solder the leads on both sides? If so, how do you
get at the lead on the component side when the component itself is in
the way? I fear that my iron will melt/ruin the component if it gets
too close for the amount of time I need to solder the joint. I
realize that not all the holes have traces on both sides but those
that do are the ones I'm worried about. Any comments or advice would
be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
(Msg. 2) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 2:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
As Richard already mentioned, they're plated through, so solder from
one side only.
I'd add that you almost never solder from the "parts side" of a
circuit board as it makes it very difficult to repair down the road.
You'll also be sending a lot more heat to the component without the
added length of the solder leg and trace to distribute it if you were
to solder from the parts side.
The only exception to parts side soldering is in the case of repair
work where the PCB is already damaged or missing a portion of it's
trace, otherwise stick to the solder side and you'll do fine.
While you've got yours opened up, you should also consider doing the
modification to reduce speaker hum.
(Msg. 3) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:21 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
On Jun 3, 10:30 pm, " " wrote:
> As Richard already mentioned, they're plated through, so solder from
> one side only.
>
> I'd add that you almost never solder from the "parts side" of a
> circuit board as it makes it very difficult to repair down the road.
> You'll also be sending a lot more heat to the component without the
> added length of the solder leg and trace to distribute it if you were
> to solder from the parts side.
>
> The only exception to parts side soldering is in the case of repair
> work where the PCB is already damaged or missing a portion of it's
> trace, otherwise stick to the solder side and you'll do fine.
>
> While you've got yours opened up, you should also consider doing the
> modification to reduce speaker hum.
>
> Mike Doyle
Hello Lorne (and anybody else who has done the full capacitor change).
I would be really interested to hear the result after you have done
the capacitor change. Do you see a noticeable improvement?
Thanks
VectrexMad!
www.vectrex.co.uk
(Msg. 4) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:25 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
The holes should be 'plated through'. Which means they are connected to both
sides already and only need soldering from one.
(Msg. 5) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:44 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Thanks guys. Good stuff to know. I may have to test some of the
connections either way though because I used my dremel to drill away
the solder left in the holes. In doing so, I may have drilled away
the plated hole. In hind sight I should have used solder wick.
Mike: Last time I had my Vectrex apart was to do the sound reduction
mod. I was very happy with the results. I hardly hear the hum now.
It's there but not as loud.
VectrexMad: I'll certainly let you now how the cap kit works out. The
reason I am doing it is all the vector lines were squiggly/wavy.
(Msg. 6) Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 7:23 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
If you're having trouble clearing the solder, try a couple of things;
first add new solder since the fresh flux will help remove the old
solder and secondly, go to Radio Shack and buy one of their
Solderpults. It's a spring loaded solder sucker that works like a
quick acting syringe in reverse. Short of buying a Hakko desoldering
gun for a couple of hundred bucks, the solderpults are the way to go.
(Msg. 7) Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:46 am
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
On Jun 3, 9:23 pm, " " wrote:
> If you're having trouble clearing the solder, try a couple of things;
> first add new solder since the fresh flux will help remove the old
> solder and secondly, go to Radio Shack and buy one of their
> Solderpults. It's a spring loaded solder sucker that works like a
> quick acting syringe in reverse. Short of buying a Hakko desoldering
> gun for a couple of hundred bucks, the solderpults are the way to go.
>
> Mike Doyle
If you used a dremel tool to remove the solder remaining in the hole,
you likely destroyed the pass through trace. Make sure you get good
solder flow on those legs and make sure you have a proper connection.
Mike makes great points, the solderpults work very well.
Crazy question for all, anyone have a good link to the sound reduction
mod? There is a lot of info, but what's the best way?
(Msg. 8) Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:25 am
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
cnlmoore wrote:
> Crazy question for all, anyone have a good link to the sound reduction
> mod? There is a lot of info, but what's the best way?
Go to http://www.playvectrex.com/vectech_f.htm and get the pdf file from
the very bottom (filename quiet_vectrex.pdf). That one seems to be the
best approach because it attacks the source of the problem. I'm not too
keen on using the op-amp bandaid solution found just above that one.
--
David Griffith
dgriffi DeleteThis @cs.csbuak.edu <-- Switch the 'b' and 'u'
(Msg. 9) Posted: Sun Jun 07, 2009 5:25 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Perhaps a dumb question:
When would you install a new cap kit? Only when the Vectrex is damaged or
are there indicators?
(Msg. 10) Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 12:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
On Jun 7, 3:58 pm, "hcmffm" wrote:
> Perhaps a dumb question:
> When would you install a new cap kit? Only when the Vectrex is damaged or
> are there indicators?
If the display is showing signs of cap failure- image distortion,
uneven levels of briteness, ect. The capacitors are electrolytic and
tend to dry out over time and when they do, their values change,
affecting their function in circuit. More typical in arcade game
monitors that have seen hundreds of hours of use, cap kits can cure a
lot of problems.
With the Vectrex, I'd stick to the old adage- "if it ain't broke,
don't fix it". They're not easy to service like a typical arcade
monitor and you won't see any improvement if there's nothing wrong to
improve in the first place.
(Msg. 11) Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:25 pm
Post subject: Re: Question on Cap Kit for My Vectrex [Login to view extended thread Info.] Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Thank you very much, Mike, for the detailed and helpful answer. My Vectrex
has run for some few hours, only, and I hope that it lasts for some more
years without repair...
A few rare Vectrex items starting at $1 ea. - I'm selling the following some what rare Vectrex items. No reserve, bidding starts at $1 with reasonable shipping domestic and worldwide. Sean Kelly's 1997 Multi-cart 320399754796 3D Crazy Coaster Cartridge 320399755726 3D Narrow Escape Cartridge ...
FS: NOS Vectrex controller overlays - Picked these up about 8-10 years ago when I was really into the Vectrex (and handhelds in general). There are two of them and they are NOS replacement stickers for the Vectrex controllers. I bought 4 of them originally and used two of them on repaired....
FS: vectrex system with controller, carts too? - i have an extra vectrex systems that i'd like to see go into a good home and be well loved. not sure what the going price is - $70-80 USD + shipping? we can probably add some loose carts if needed. if you're interested email me at shawn at..
Question regarding system prices - Hi, I am a new Vectrex owner (having waited for 27 years...), and I am still browsing the auction listings. I can't figure why this particular auction listing has gotten so high, when I was able to pick up two units for 92 and 81 dollars respectively. ...
Seen This? - I happened on this upon a recent random search. I'm guessing it's a pointer from an EBAY page. http://pages.videotron.com/petrob/
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