Jump to content
IGNORED

Where to get replacement Atari joystick contact domes


acharris

Recommended Posts

Hi all, I need to know where I can get hold of some Atari Joystick contact domes to fix the controllers in the UK, as I have over the last few years picked up controllers really cheap, but some need the domes replaced on them. I bought some a few years ago on Ebay, but I seemed to have run out as I didn't buy that many at the time due to thinking I could get them when I needed them, and now I got some time on my hands to actually restore some, I got none left.

 

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Anthony

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You really should contact them. They do not list everything they sell on their website and have a massive catalog of items for sale not listed on the site. I would be surprised if Best couldn't get you those dome contacts as they manufacture a brand new designed dome for their replacement boards as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Farnell have low profile dome keys which might work, enter Part Number 877-4455 (4mm) or 877-4471 (5mm) into the search box, price is £6.66 for a sheet of 25 + VAT + about £4 P&P for non account card purchases.

Although not what you want but 16/32 Systems had some replacement PCB's for the old VCS joystick (square shape IIRC) which you could perhapse get some from if you don't want to replace the entire board.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best Electronics sells replacement 2600 joystick PCB's that of course are brand new, and guaranteed. And to replace the PCB no soldering is required. :) If your going to order the little domes it's probably not much more to get the whole new PCB after shipping.

 

I just fixed an Atari 2600 joystick I got off ebay, it was dirty, very sluggish, wouldn't go down or right, & required a lot a pressure to go up or left. I fixed it, without buying any parts at all; I opened it, and on the PCB I lifted up the clear tape at all four directions and the fire button (one at a time) just enough to get to them. The domes will stick to this clear tape, by the tops when you pull it up. I took a small knife and scraped up the entire area (center & edges) that the little domes contact, on the PCB copper circuit paths, till it looked like new fresh copper, then I scraped up the underside center area (PCB contact area)of each dome also with my little knife and after I did all five domes one at a time, I pressed the plastic tape back to the PCB, ensuring each dome was in it's place. Re-assemble joystick. I now have a totally fixed and very responsive joystick, that requires minimal pressure to use while playing games. :) Took about 15 minutes.

 

Now to do all my other 2600 joysticks like that. :ponder:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 14 years later...
On 2/11/2008 at 10:37 AM, ovalbugmann said:

Best Electronics sells replacement 2600 joystick PCB's that of course are brand new, and guaranteed. And to replace the PCB no soldering is required. :) If your going to order the little domes it's probably not much more to get the whole new PCB after shipping.

 

I just fixed an Atari 2600 joystick I got off ebay, it was dirty, very sluggish, wouldn't go down or right, & required a lot a pressure to go up or left. I fixed it, without buying any parts at all; I opened it, and on the PCB I lifted up the clear tape at all four directions and the fire button (one at a time) just enough to get to them. The domes will stick to this clear tape, by the tops when you pull it up. I took a small knife and scraped up the entire area (center & edges) that the little domes contact, on the PCB copper circuit paths, till it looked like new fresh copper, then I scraped up the underside center area (PCB contact area)of each dome also with my little knife and after I did all five domes one at a time, I pressed the plastic tape back to the PCB, ensuring each dome was in it's place. Re-assemble joystick. I now have a totally fixed and very responsive joystick, that requires minimal pressure to use while playing games. :) Took about 15 minutes.

 

Now to do all my other 2600 joysticks like that. :ponder:

 

Used to do the exact same thing with the contact domes on my VCS joysticks in the late 80s, I may have had an ST, Amiga and Megadrive by 1990 but I still looked after my VCS as it was a gift from the gods in my childhood!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have taken the top clear tape layer and contacts off the joystick board and soldered some thin tact switches onto the board.  The switches were less than a mm tall so I did not even end up trimming the prongs on the white joystick insert.  That stick is one of my favorites so you may want to consider eliminating the discs and going that route.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 hours ago, bah said:

I have taken the top clear tape layer and contacts off the joystick board and soldered some thin tact switches onto the board.  The switches were less than a mm tall so I did not even end up trimming the prongs on the white joystick insert.  That stick is one of my favorites so you may want to consider eliminating the discs and going that route.

@Osgeld used to sell premade drop in replacement PCBs with micro switches on them already for the standard CX-40 controllers. I think he posted recently that he might have some on hand still? That would be the best way long term.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have maybe 5 or 6 as I tend to keep some back just incase someone gets a dud. I did post that I am doing a huge batch but that's not until June at least as I have to secure funding and start prepping for long lead times 

 

and they use just stupid flat tactile switches not microswitches, which I used to use by soldering them on the OG board ... I just made the drop in's (to fund a computer build cough) so that the average joe doesnt need to fiddle with soldering switches on a board that was made for snap domes (as it can be fidgety) 

Edited by Osgeld
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...