desoldering the cartridge connector

Includes but not limited to: SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Game Gear and I guess the Virtual Boy.

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chronomitch
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Joined: Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:01 pm

desoldering the cartridge connector

Post by chronomitch »

Hi. I'm trying to remove the cartridge connector from an SNES mini motherboard, but I'm running into some problems. I removed as much solder as I could from the pins on the bottom of the board using a solder sucker. When I try to remove the connector from the board, the pins are staying connected to the board (the pins are separating from the connector).

How should I proceed from here? Is it worth it to separate the connector from the pins completely and reconnect the pins afterward?
vomitsaw
Posts: 106
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Re: desoldering the cartridge connector

Post by vomitsaw »

chronomitch wrote:Hi. I'm trying to remove the cartridge connector from an SNES mini motherboard, but I'm running into some problems. I removed as much solder as I could from the pins on the bottom of the board using a solder sucker. When I try to remove the connector from the board, the pins are staying connected to the board (the pins are separating from the connector).

How should I proceed from here? Is it worth it to separate the connector from the pins completely and reconnect the pins afterward?
I'd highly suggest against doing that. You're doing to have an awful hard time reinserting those pins, trust me. Do you have any solder braid? I'd try using the solder braid to absord up any last bit of solder around the pins that might be holding it into place. But yeah, I know from experience that removing SNES connectors is the exact opposite of fun.
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vb_master
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Re: desoldering the cartridge connector

Post by vb_master »

vomitsaw wrote:Do you have any solder braid?
Solder braid is very effective in removing solder from joints in these types of situations. However, I like to "refresh" the solder by heating up each joint, and adding some more. It seems to make the solder flow a little bit better that way.

Good luck with your cartridge removal, otherwise.
tysonDS
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Post by tysonDS »

Solder braid is the way to go.

The braid seems like it even attracts the solder.

Normally, I just lie a long strip along all the pins, and run the soldering iron up and down the strip, all the solder will be gone within seconds.
I am a case modder trying to be a portablizer. Will get there one day. :)
hailrazer
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Post by hailrazer »

A heat gun is the easiest way.

Heat up all the pins at once and the connector pulls right off :)
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tysonDS
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Post by tysonDS »

^ haha, I'm poor. I wish I could afford a heat gun, maybe if I didn't break so many consoles. :lol:
I am a case modder trying to be a portablizer. Will get there one day. :)
eurddrue
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Post by eurddrue »

tysonDS wrote:The braid seems like it even attracts the solder.
that's because it has powder flux on it
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Kyo
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Post by Kyo »

well, the easiest way is either using a heat gun, or getting a second cart slot and just breaking the original one in the process of removing it. I can sell you a SNES cart slot, if you want, I have a couple.
chronomitch
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Post by chronomitch »

Kyo wrote:well, the easiest way is either using a heat gun, or getting a second cart slot and just breaking the original one in the process of removing it. I can sell you a SNES cart slot, if you want, I have a couple.
Thanks for the info everyone. As for cartridge slots, I have an extra one that I might use.
Kyo
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Post by Kyo »

Well there you go
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