Midnight Synergy Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Any opinions (or - I can dream - evidence based research) on whether it makes a difference in storing consoles to keep a cartridge in or out? I'm talking medium to long term. Sometimes a console may go into one of my plastic storage bins and doesn't get played for a year or longer. I always keep a cartridge in place, but would it be better (for the console or the cart) to not do so? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+5-11under Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 OUT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Synergy Posted March 12, 2016 Author Share Posted March 12, 2016 Answering my own question, looking at this thread, the jury seems to be out on this. Any new insights? http://atariage.com/forums/topic/125169-is-it-bad-to-keep-a-cartridge-in-your-console/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldSchoolRetroGamer Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 @Midnight Synergy I've nothing to add really but just wanted to say I love your avatar lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I would say out. The console connectors are bent pieces of metal. If you keep a cartidge in, there is a risk for the "spring" effect to lessen. Also, if you get moisture in your storage boxes, corrosion might "glue" the connector and cart, (especially since they are usually in different metals) meaning you'll damage the connector when pulling the cart off. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassGuitari Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsy Doodleheimer Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I keep all my consoles and cartridges out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaskenLander Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Does this also apply to cartridges left in consoles during infrequent use (say a few weeks to a few months)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enoofu Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Does this also apply to cartridges left in consoles during infrequent use (say a few weeks to a few months)? Should be just fine, just gets harder to predict when you are talking months to years in a storage container Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariLeaf Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 The best advice is always to pull out. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaskenLander Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So, if we're talking carts left in a consoles out on the entertainment stand in one's gameroom that aren't swapped out for several weeks to almost a year at a time they should be fine? Haven't played my Vectrex in many a moon but I leave a cart in it due to lack of a slot cover (same for my Jag). Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra Commander Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 If the console is on and your "storing" it with a game paused for a week or two or three. Then In. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Black_Tiger Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Normally out, but for some consoles which I only ever use a flashcart on, I leave them in. I also keep each console with its accessories in clear plastic boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 For systems that are open to dust (7800, Jaguar, etc), I don't see why having a cart in would be a problem. For all others, it's a matter of choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevEng Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I would say out. The console connectors are bent pieces of metal. If you keep a cartidge in, there is a risk for the "spring" effect to lessen. Indeed. Springs kept under load for long periods are known to lose their strength. Engineers refer to it as "creep". There was a discussion of this effect on console contacts here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbd30 Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Sometimes I get lazy and leave cartridges in. Probably not a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoshiChiri Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I would say out. The console connectors are bent pieces of metal. If you keep a cartidge in, there is a risk for the "spring" effect to lessen. Also, if you get moisture in your storage boxes, corrosion might "glue" the connector and cart, (especially since they are usually in different metals) meaning you'll damage the connector when pulling the cart off. This- I'd much rather have to clean out some dust than worry about my console fusing to a title. I will leave the cart in if I'm playing it, which usually involves the system being on at least every few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaskenLander Posted March 13, 2016 Share Posted March 13, 2016 I'm still confused on the details of this. I like to 'float around' between consoles in my gameroom, with just about every console having a game in it at any given time. If I change the carts at least every few months (most cases every few weeks/days) is this still a concern? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Every few days is okay. Every few weeks still is. If your consoel is going to sit unused for months, then it's better to remove the cart, but that's just my opinion. It's hard to define a rule here, because not all console are made the same, with the same quality and connector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Every few days is okay. Every few weeks still is. If your consoel is going to sit unused for months, then it's better to remove the cart, but that's just my opinion. It's hard to define a rule here, because not all console are made the same, with the same quality and connector. What about the folks that use flash carts and never remove them from the system? Can't even remember the last time I removed the Power Pak from my NES. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted March 14, 2016 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I bet it's fine till you switch carts Really most systems don't have suck ass cart ports like a front load nes and the metal isn't going to loose its.memory that fast I have 20-30 year old computers with cards in them since day one and you can swap them in and out at will... Same contacts 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Synergy Posted March 23, 2016 Author Share Posted March 23, 2016 Thanks all for the input! I'm going to keep more carts out from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I wonder if it depends on the console also. I have a few with multicarts and it's just a straight plug in (like my O2 and my 7800). I think of these almost like PC cards plugged into slots. I didn't worry about leaving my video card plugged into my PC. I tend to leave the multicarts in, so I'm not too worried about those. But I have an NES toaster (I don't do much NES stuff, only have a few games for it) that didn't work well when I got it. So I replaced the 72 pin connector, and it seemed to be better. I tried to remember not to leave a cart in it, but apparently I missed (or someone did) once, and it was a time when I didn't use it again for months. So months go by, I decide to try it and see there is a cart still in it. Ooopps.. Can't remember if it worked with the game that was in it initially, but I do know that its back to it's problems. Since that 72-pin connector is all spring, I assume leaving a cart in is really bad.. (It's also possible it was the cheap 72-pin connector or a combination of both..) desiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) The difference being that you don't usually need to remove a PC card daily. Most video game system connectors are standard industrial connectors at least in design, so you should be able to leave a cart in for long period of time. But other, like the NES one you cited, relies alot on the spring effect (and the NES even more since the pins are very long). EArly Aatri 2600 cart connectors are know to be prone to failures too. Edited March 23, 2016 by CatPix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desiv Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 The difference being that you don't usually need to remove a PC card daily. Yep, and since I'm talking a multicart in those that I almost never remove, I figured they were pretty on par.. Agree on the NES tho.. And didn't know that about the early 2600's.. Good to know.. desiv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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