EZ-Flash III (3) Help!

[perkydwarff]

Hello!

Posting this question here in case anyone has any clue, because I don't!

I have two EZ-FLASH III's from 2005, not sure when they were last used but I know they both used to work as we would often use them.
I want to say at some point in the 2010's I also pulled em out and used them, however now neither cart is recognized by multiple systems.

They are in good condition, stored well- absolutely no dirt or grime they are fairly pristine. I did a full cleaning with ISO even though it really didn't need it, but contacts are as clean as can be on both units.
Poking around with a multimeter did not yield any surprising results... the 3v rechargeable cell batteries still hold a charge, but those shouldn't matter for it to boot im fairly certain.

Does anybody have any ideas? I chalked it up to boards dying over time on the carts, but its not just one but two, and im not quite ready to give up on these yet

 

[perkydwarff]

 

[master801]

The solder for second flashcart's positive battery leg looks sketchy as fuck. Damn near touching that resistor.

I say to replace the battery on that sketchy one and see if that changes anything. Otherwise reflowing the legs on the ICs might help.

 

[perkydwarff]

The solder for second flashcart's positive battery leg looks sketchy as fuck. Damn near touching that resistor.

I say to replace the battery on that sketchy one and see if that changes anything. Otherwise reflowing the legs on the ICs might help.

Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely replace the battery on that sketchy one- but for the time being both actually seem to still charge when plugged into the gameboy and hold a charge surprisingly.

I will definitely look into re-flowing the legs on the ICs... I do have a hot air rework station I can use

 

[master801]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely replace the battery on that sketchy one- but for the time being both actually seem to still charge when plugged into the gameboy and hold a charge surprisingly.

I will definitely look into re-flowing the legs on the ICs... I do have a hot air rework station I can use

I would not recommend using hot air on something like this as that can potentially cause the PCB to warp.

 

[perkydwarff]

I would not recommend using hot air on something like this as that can potentially cause the PCB to warp.

Noted, good call. Hmm... maybe these boards have just seen better days then...

 

[SylverReZ]

I would not recommend using hot air on something like this as that can potentially cause the PCB to warp.

Yes, use a soldering iron to do this with. Something like a chisel tip is what I use, but a conical one should be fine, as well. Hot air can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing and there's nearby components like resistors that can fly off if they haven't been covered over with kapton tape.

 

[KidIce]

Do you have a Pentel Clic Eraser or a Pink Pet eraser? Those are often better than chemicals to clean the contacts of carts. That has often worked for me after contact cleaner has failed.

 

[perkydwarff]

Do you have a Pentel Clic Eraser or a Pink Pet eraser? Those are often better than chemicals to clean the contacts of carts. That has often worked for me after contact cleaner has failed.

I did try cleaning them with an eraser, but didnt use it too much as the contacts didnt look that dirty... but Ill give that another shot! I have some other rubber erasers I can try maybe they will work better

 

[KidIce]

Yeah, your contacts look pretty pristine. Just suggesting a possible solution that has worked for me and that a lot of people never think of. Also it's cheap

Oxidation and other filth can be good at hiding sometimes, so it's worth a shot at least.