Gameboy Pocket Repair Help Please

[fiatbravodriver]

Hello. Does anyone have experience with repairing a Gameboy Pocket. I have just obtained one and its brilliant condition but does not power up.

Upon taking the back case off it became clear it has been subject to a battery leak sometime in its life.

I'd really like to get it all going again.





Where should I start? I should note my electrical repair skills are very poor.
(Apart from send it to Wiggy   but he must be far too busy changing nappies).

[Arseen]

It might as simple as cleaning the battery contacts.

[fiatbravodriver]

Thanks Arseen, I am on the case now with a cotton bud and some acetone.

[Arseen]

Thanks Arseen, I am on the case now with a cotton bud and some acetone.

Might need bit more abresive (stop when you see clean metal).

[wiggy]

x2 on a cleaning likely solving the issue./

[Dravenae]

I have seen people using que-tips and rubbing alcohol, yielding great results. Might be worth a shot.

x3 on cleaning.

[Polygon]

To clean off corrosion like that I've always used a mixture of baking soda and warm water. I'd would suspect that will cover your issues. That is a good deal of corrosion. At least it looks like it hasn't made it's way into the PCB.

[palmer6strings]

One of mine had the same problem. Mine loomed a wee bit worse I unfortunately ended up having to use a dremel on mine...

Stick with those other cleaning methods suggested first though.

[wiggy]

There are a million different things you can use.  I sometimes use a soft wire wheel on my dremel to get the hard to reach stuff, steel wool can do the job most of the time, CLR works well, as does Tarn-X, and so on.  Start with the least abrasive/corrosive options then move on from there if they don't do the job.

[irvgotti452]

Brasso or its equvalent is perfect for that situation. I've cleaned and restored all my gameboys that had the same issue with it.

[Dravenae]

I also heard a white vinegar and water mix works pretty well. Apparently there's some science behind it. If you did that though definitely clean it with alcohol after and maybe a spot of WD40 to prevent further corrosion. I know some vinegars have sodium in them, not sure about white vinegar.

[wiggy]

Vinegar = acid
Alkaline = base

They interact and the battery "acid" dissolves (even though it's a base, not an acid)

[fiatbravodriver]

It Worked. It Worked. It Worked.   



Thanks to everyone.

[Dravenae]

Awesome sauce!

[wiggy]

Awesome, congrats! 

Now just come over here and help me cleanup my pile o' crusty portables (many with the same issue).