Re: A2 Joystick Maintenance

[grent@comcast.net]

Polymorph wrote:
> As an update to the story, I did some more testing last night and it
> would seem that the pots are still operational (yay!). It is the
> connection from the resistive material to the terminals (correct
> terminology? the things the wires are soldered to) that is a bit dodgy.
> If I apply pressure to the contacts (ie. push them onto the resistive
> material, I get fairly good readings from both pots. One gets the full
> range of 0-255, the other 0-222. The second pot may require further
> cleaning (and yes I will stick with contact cleaner from now on!).
>
> I am thinking that if I apply a little solder between the terminals and
> the resistive material to improve the connection, the joystick might be
> operational once more. Maybe the WD-40 didn't kill the pots, but
> somehow reduced the conductivity around the terminals?? Does this sound
> likely, and does my proposed solution sound feasible?
>
> thanks,
> -p

 I do not think that soldering will add any more contact or better
conection to resistant material. But  It should not hurt. But if that
connect is loose or high resistance, then there is a problem.  Not sure
how the connection is made to the terminal. May just crimped or riveted
to the carbon pad. Just not sure. If soldering make a better connection
by making tigher then it should help.
 You might be pushing on the resistive material and making  a better
connection on the wiper contact.

Solder and clean the pots and see what happens. Still may have WD40
resedue left.

Take Care