Loose AC input on Genesis Model 2 - Common Issue?

[samsonlonghair]

Come to think of it, I think it was someone on this forum who recommended that video to me in the first place. Ziggy? Hobbie? I can't remember; my memory is shot. I need to upgrade my RAM and defrag my hard drive.

Yeah, the both of us have posted a link to that video on this forum quite a few times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpkkfK937mU

Thanks for the reboot, Ziggy! It's good to hear some confirmation that it was both of you two. That would have explained why I couldn't remember which one. I would have felt really silly if it was neither or you two.

The CRC Electrical Contact Cleaner is great, but you would have been better of just getting a bottle of isopropyl alcohol: https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Percent-Iso ... 674&sr=8-2

The spray is good for hard to reach locations, or getting inside connection or switches, but for PCB work it's too messy. A bottle of alcohol and a toothbrush (or ESD anti static brushes if you want to be fancy) will get you better results. You usually need a brush to scrub off flux residue, or kimwipes or something.

Well, alcohol IS one of the primary ingredients in Electric Contact Cleaner, so the two aren't so terribly different. I use the little red straw that's included with the can to minimize my mess. Just use what works for you, right? Reminds me of that dumb old joke: Do you prefer belt or suspenders? Whichever keeps my pants from falling off my butt!

A toothbrush is a good idea. Those always come in handy for cleaning.

[racketboy]

Thanks guys!

To help my confidence level, are there any videos you recommend for some primers on stuff like this? Especially if its console related...

I wish I had somebody looking over my shoulder, but some extra video would make me feel a bit more comfortable

[Ziggy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpkkfK937mU

[CRTGAMER]

Thanks guys!

To help my confidence level, are there any videos you recommend for some primers on stuff like this? Especially if its console related...

I wish I had somebody looking over my shoulder, but some extra video would make me feel a bit more comfortable

Maybe grab a dead PCB and do a trial run? It will help getting the practice in before melting the solder on your Genesis. One thing with electronics is you do not want to keep the heat too long, just melt the solder until it flows to component and PCB trace pad. Try the different methods suggested on the scrap PCB, see what works best for you.

From my twenty Dollar CRT repair in the Guides Section, top chip holder legs soldered in existing solder pads of removed older chip. Bottom chip holder legs in desoldered pads ready for solder. WEGA still working almost a decade later.

[racketboy]

Awesome thanks!

Back to the soldering iron -- if I wanted to upgrade to one with variable heat, can you pick out one/a couple on Amazon to consider? Not looking to spend a ton, but willing to invest a little.

I'm hoping these projects will be early steps in me digging more into similar projects and eventually get my kids tinkering with stuff in the future.

[Ziggy]

https://www.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40 ... 506&sr=1-3

The WLC100 is tried and true. It's the best priced (name brand) soldering station. It's been around for a long time, and it's very popular, so tips are easy to find for it (be sure to stick to name brand tips, and be careful of counterfeits).

Next stop after this would be $100+ for a Weller WES51 or Hakko FX888 (preferably the digital versions).

[racketboy]

Perfect! Thanks so much!