8 replies to this topic

[bigbroobs]

I recently purchased an atari system and the paddle controllers are jumpy. They'l move even when i don't touch the dial.
help it's driving me nuts.

[moycon]

Ive heard talk of people opening the paddles and giving them a shot of WD-40. Give that a try. if not you can probably find a new set online pretty cheap.

[Skatepunk60]

NOOOOOOOO dont use WD-40 man that ruins it , spray some elecronics cleaner in the top and bottom of the potentiometer then give it a few turns works well for me

[charin]

Use rubbing alcohol (isopropylic alcohol) to clean the potentiometer.

Greetings,

Sergio

[Atari-Jess]

yeah DO NOT USE A GREASE what ever you do. even rubbing alcohol is better than wd40

[Nukey Shay]

I've been cleaning the same pair of controllers that I've had since I was a wee lad, and here's what I do.

Remove the back cover screws. Pull the paddle dial up and off of the pot stem. Use a pliers to loosen the nut and remove it. Remove and hold the pot at the threaded metal (just below the stem)...and gently pry the four tabs back just far enough to open the casing (use the front teeth of the pliers or a small flat screwdriver). Slide the board off the stem and clean it with alcohol. Put it back in the casing and use the pliers to bend the tabs back down.

[Ian Primus]

Yeah, taking the paddle all the way apart to clean the pot really, really, cleans it better. You can also replace the pot itself with a new one should you damage it. I can't remember the value on it, but you should be able to get that info from someone else here on the board.

Ian Primus
ian_primus@yahoo.com

[ATARIPITBULL]

I have cleaned about four sets for paddles with rubbing alcohol and they all work great for me.

[Nukey Shay]

1 megaohm, though finding them is kinda tricky.