Paddles.

Modding and Technical Issues

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Tepic
Vic 20 Devotee
Posts: 209
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:47 pm

Paddles.

Post by Tepic »

I have a pair of CBM paddles that are very unreliable. The inputs are all over the place and it makes games unplayable.

I was thinking about using some switch cleaner on the variable resistors, but they look like sealed units. Is it possible, or should I just try replacing them? Does anybody know what resistance they are?
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Jeff-20
Denial Founder
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Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 6:00 pm

Re: Paddles.

Post by Jeff-20 »

Welcome to the joy of analog paddles. There are several discussions on the matter here, but I will start you with this thread. You may want to use search to see older threads as well.
High Scores, Links, and Jeff's Basic Games page.
Tepic
Vic 20 Devotee
Posts: 209
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:47 pm

Re: Paddles.

Post by Tepic »

Ack, thanks for that. It seems it's not such a simple issue. For shame :(
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Jeff-20
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Re: Paddles.

Post by Jeff-20 »

My solution (perhaps a shared one) is to keep hunting for a single good pair of paddles and hold on to them. I suspect over time all paddles will degrade, but working ones do exist.
High Scores, Links, and Jeff's Basic Games page.
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akator
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Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 6:01 pm

Re: Paddles.

Post by akator »

My approach to working paddles has been a combination of buying several sets over the years and using spray contact cleaner on the pots. Some of the paddles were DOA and the contact cleaner did nothing, whereas others were helped by the contact cleaner.

Maybe in the 80s I had paddles that didn't need some kind of work, but in recent memory I've always had to do something to at least one out of the pair.
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