Denial

I am delighted to say I finally have in my possession a working VIC20 - thank you eBay!!

Everything seems to work except the spacebar. The keyboard could probably do with a good clean - some keys only work so-so. This is a later model, cost-reduced.

Before I tear the keyboard apart and perhaps break it, does anyone have any special hints for spacebars on CR keyboards?

Well you can just pop in complete in the dishwasher. I have done this before. But this is not going to fix your space bar.

You will need to desolder the shift lock. Keeping the keyboard face down and propped up (ie not lying on a table top pressing the keys) Remove the 30 or so tiny gold screws. Remove the pcb and clean the gold contacts with iso propyl alcohol. Take a few drops of IPA and some graphite powder and mix in a tiny vessel with a q-tip. With this q-tip wipe every pad at the back of the key peg. Repeat this wiping 2 or even 3 times once you completed this. Replace the pcb, all screws and solder your shift lock again. Connect keyboard and test.

Sounds like a good project for a rainy weekend!

(Anyhow the dishwasher method is right out - I don't have a dishwasher!)

Good that I don't need spaces in BASIC
However it is going to be hard to play Blitz until I fix the spacebar.

Bobbi wrote:Sounds like a good project for a rainy weekend!

(Anyhow the dishwasher method is right out - I don't have a dishwasher!)

Then the same way you wash your dishes. Warm soapy water and a brush. At this stage it is best to do it like this:

. remove all keycaps & springs (keycaps in a bowl of warm soapy water, springs in a plastic bag)
. spray WD40 onto the springs in the bag
. remove PCB
. remove key pegs (optionally in a bowl with soapy water - but this is not usually needed)
. wash the black keyboard tray

OK - did a quick clean / reburb of the keyboard and all the keys work now, even space!!

Thats great new, another Vic joined our forces

In a previous thread I remember reading a warning that the keyboard contacts were so delicate that every kind of solvent/cleaning agent would wipe them off, and that the only way to reahaul the keyboard was to wipe them with dry paper.

Now I read that the keyboard can be slammed in the dishwasher and that WD-40 can be sprayed abundantly.

So? I am "a bit puzzled", to say the least...

Well I said spray WD40 on the springs that you have put into a (plastic bag).

And yes, you can put the keyboard complete in the dishwasher. No harm is done, even at 65 degrees C with a 7-in-1 tablet. I have now done this many times and no issues. However a more valuable/collectable keyboard (say Microgramma font). I would still do this the 'hard way' by hand. You can put the case and mainboard in there too. Remove the fuse 1st as it will take in water.

Regarding the pads on the keypegs I have suggested 'revitalizing' them with IPA and graphite powder. I think Eslapion uses a silver base product, if I understood correctly.

The mainboard? With all chips and everything? You kidding?
(sorry, but it's absolutely new for me)

I would be worried about getting the board 100% dry before applying power!

For my keyboard, I did the following:
- Unsolder the shift lock wires.
- Remove 3583 tiny screws
- Separate board from underneath keyboard
- Clean copper pads with alcohol wipe
- Vacuum upper part of keyboard to remove any loose dirt
- Reassemble, replace screws, resolder wires, burn finger!

Test

It was awful before but it feels almost like new now.

mrr19121970 wrote:I think Eslapion uses a silver base product, if I understood correctly.

See:
Chemtronics CW2605

here:
https://www.chemtronics.com/p-713-circu ... r-kit.aspx

http://www.alliedelec.com/chemtronics-c ... hgodjZwD6A

http://www.newark.com/chemtronics/cw260 ... nsku=false

highinfidelity wrote:In a previous thread I remember reading a warning that the keyboard contacts were so delicate that every kind of solvent/cleaning agent would wipe them off, and that the only way to reahaul the keyboard was to wipe them with dry paper.

You can safely use 100% pure alcohol or preferably (more expensive but does a better job) flux remover then gently wipe with Q-Tips or any soft/gentle wipes.

NEVER use anything that contains a good amount of acetone, such as nail polish remover.

Now I read that the keyboard can be slammed in the dishwasher and that WD-40 can be sprayed abundantly.

So? I am "a bit puzzled", to say the least...

A dishwasher uses high temperatures to dry dishes and this can permanently damage some plastics.

WD-40 is a hydrocarbon and therefore semiconductive and it contains powerful solvents that can even melt some plastics. I don't know who came up with this one but this is an absolute NO NO !

Springs are ok, as mrr19121970 said, in a bag, completely separate from the rest and let them sit on an absorbent wipe at least one hour before putting them back in service. The solvents in the WD-40 will slowly evaporate leaving the rust proofing oil on the surface of the springs.

Bobbi wrote:- Reassemble, replace screws, resolder wires, burn finger!

Yaa... me too...

The burning of the finger is an essential offering to the Commodore gods. Otherwise they will not smile upon the keyboard repair!

orion70 wrote: The mainboard? With all chips and everything? You kidding?
(sorry, but it's absolutely new for me)

No kidding.

mrr19121970 wrote:

orion70 wrote: The mainboard? With all chips and everything? You kidding?
(sorry, but it's absolutely new for me)

No kidding.

You're getting trouble from your wife