Jump to content



1

"dot trick" for controllers


11 replies to this topic

#1 metzger130 OFFLINE  

metzger130

    Space Invader

  • 42 posts

Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:15 PM

I have seen on here people talking about the dot trick for the controllers but I was curious as to where these go and what is best to make them with? I also wondered do you glue these to a part of the controller or do you put them there somehow and they stay?

Thanks a lot, mine work but sometimes don't work as well as I want them to, especially the fire buttons.

#2 AtariBrian OFFLINE  

AtariBrian

    Moonsweeper

  • 414 posts
  • Location:Toledo, Ohio

Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:55 PM

i dont know what the dot trick is but years ago i received a controller that has the tin foil glued to all the buttons and it works very well. so i will probably do it to all my controllers

#3 boxpressed ONLINE  

boxpressed

    Dragonstomper

  • 802 posts
  • Location:Wisconsin

Posted Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:13 PM

View PostAtariBrian, on Sun Nov 20, 2011 9:55 PM, said:

i dont know what the dot trick is but years ago i received a controller that has the tin foil glued to all the buttons and it works very well. so i will probably do it to all my controllers

Yes, you can use a hole punch with the foil to make the dots. Works okay, but the traces on the circuit still have to be good.

#4 Video_Invader OFFLINE  

Video_Invader

    Star Raider

  • 66 posts

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:57 AM

Lol, funny this was brought up. I've been using this method for years and it works just as good as the Best Electronics kit. Glue, foil, and a hole punch is all that's needed If anyone has some that were done this way, they might have came from me. I've done many this way.

#5 sdamon OFFLINE  

sdamon

    Dragonstomper

  • 758 posts
  • Location:York, PA

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 11:57 AM

To be specific, you glue the foil to the black carbon dots on the fire buttons and the Start/Pause/Reset buttons. Works great, unless as boxpressed warns, the flex circuit traces have been damaged. To avoid damaging them yourself, be sure to remove the Start/Pause/Reset bezel and buttons before unscrewing and opening the controller. I've seen a number of flex circuits damaged by failing to do this.

#6 Galeforcerm OFFLINE  

Galeforcerm

    Chopper Commander

  • 160 posts
  • Location:Detroit metro area, mi

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:38 PM

You can also use conductive paint. I use the stuff for fixing automotive rear window defrosters.

#7 metzger130 OFFLINE  

metzger130

    Space Invader

  • 42 posts

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:12 PM

What kind of glue do you use? Just regular ole elmers or does it have to be some specific thing to stick to the rubber and foil. I'm also assuming just regular Aluminum foil is what you are talking about.

#8 boxpressed ONLINE  

boxpressed

    Dragonstomper

  • 802 posts
  • Location:Wisconsin

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:13 PM

I used super glue.

#9 sdamon OFFLINE  

sdamon

    Dragonstomper

  • 758 posts
  • Location:York, PA

Posted Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:53 PM

Yeah, you'll need something stronger than Elmer's... tried that once, and it didn't last long. Yep, just every day aluminum foil works fine. I also tried a conductive paint pen once but found that it would flake off with lots of use. I've come around that gluing foil to the carbon dots is the best way to go (short of the gold dot buttons, but that's a seriously more expensive solution!) Also, note that you probably don't need to glue foil to the keypad dots... for whatever reason (lack of use?) they don't usually seem to get worn out the way the other buttons do.

#10 Official Ninja OFFLINE  

Official Ninja

    Stargunner

  • 1,561 posts
  • Location:NJ

Posted Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:14 PM

Hole punch, aluminum foil, super glue, and a tweezer. The tweezer makes placing the dots easy. Just give the foil a tap down after placing it. You don't want to press down and squirt the glue out all over. Even a little drop seems to make a mess if you press too hard. Also don't get glue on the side of the foil that will touch the flex circuit. The glue will stop it from working.

#11 cybercylon OFFLINE  

cybercylon

    Dragonstomper

  • 524 posts
  • Location:SW PA

Posted Tue Nov 22, 2011 6:40 PM

I have found the foil plus a gold plated flex circuit to be fairly reliable. Of course, I might discover in a few years that is not the case.

#12 Lord Helmet OFFLINE  

Lord Helmet

    AtariAge Anomaly

  • 9,628 posts
  • Location:Denver, CO.

Posted Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:19 AM

I use Elmers glue and powdered graphite. Put a use a q tip to put glue on the contacts then dust the flex circuit with the graphite. When gry, dust off the extra graphite. I did a couple of controllers like this a few years ago and they've been perfect ever since.




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users