Tech Talk: Replacing Dead Cart Batteries

[Melf]

There's nothing worse than plugging in your favorite RPG or adventure title only to find that your game save has been wiped out due to a dead battery. In the past, you had to toss those dead cartridges and start from scratch. Necessity breeds invention, they say, and over the years people have found ways to replace those dead batteries and give their games a new lease on life. For the newbie to such Sega tech, Sega-16 contributor Zebbe has compiled a little guide (http://www.sega-16.com/2007/11/tech-talk-replacing-dead-cartridge-batteries/) to help out with keeping those classics in top shape.

[Joe Redifer]

Zebbe, you forgot the option where you change the battery while it's connected to the Genesis and running so you don't lose your saves! :)

[synaesthesia]

Great article. My Phantasy Star IV battery recently died. I wanted to battle the Profound Darkness again only to find my saves were gone. I'm just glad it died after I beat it, unlike with my Super Metroid and Act Raiser carts (well actually I'm not terribly mad at those, being SNES and all)

[InternalPrimate]

Another fantastic article by Zebbe! It's like he knows EXACTLY what I want to read about.

I was stuck with a few "dead" NES games around a year ago, and I searched all over the internet for a decent tutorial on how to replace the battery. While I came across maybe two decent explanations, I didn't see ANY for the Genesis. Again, great article that will be a big addition to this already amazing site.

[Jules Walter]

I was concerned about that when I bought my Landstalker cartridge recently, but thankfully the battery worked long enough for me to finish it (and still does) but I've been thinking about buying Uncharted Waters II, and knowing how much time I can spend on a game like that, I'd definitely want to change the battery to be sure.

[Joe Redifer]

The only battery I have ever had die on me is Exile. I wonder why my original Phantasy Star (SMS) and other batteries still work?

[Jules Walter]

Happened with the battery of a used D & D-Warriors of the Eternal Sun I had bought years ago. Hell, it was probably around '99 and the battery was already dead. Now I don't care enough about the game to replay it.

[Melf]

I liked D&D. The visuals take some time getting used to, but the gameplay and dungeon crawling are fun.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah, the graphics were "sideways" (for lack of better description). Very odd.

[kylera]

Very informative article. I'll be sure to refer to this every time something doesn't save anymore.

[Mr Smith]

Well played Zebbe on a potentially very useful article - I'll let you know just how useful it is when I lose a battery. Also, I love the numbered image.

[Zebbe]

Wow, thanks for the awesome feedback everyone! :) I will return with another entry in this feature series soon.


Zebbe, you forgot the option where you change the battery while it's connected to the Genesis and running so you don't lose your saves!

No, I actually left that one for you, Joe. :p


I wonder why my original Phantasy Star (SMS) and other batteries still work?

So does mine. I think it is largely based on how often you play the game. RPGs are usually played a lot for a few times until beating it, then put on the shelf for some years until you play it again. My Elitserien 95 cart had probably been used for a game or two a lot of more times compared to how often a RPG is put on. That takes more battery power than playing longer sittings fewer times.

Jules Walter: What a coincidence that my friend's Warriors of the Eternal Sun cartridge battery had died too :D.

[grittykitty]

nice article! i replaced my beyond oasis battery early this year but rather than solder the battery to the little bracket (battery + heat = i was scared of it going KABOOM) i used copious amounts of electrical tape. this failed several times, but by shear stroke of luck it worked finally - the battery and saves even withstood some crazy cart shaking, meaning the battery held in place just fine. but next time i may just go ahead and solder :daze:

[Zebbe]

I read about using tape in another guide. The guy said it wore off after some time. I haven't tried it myself.

[InternalPrimate]

Dugg the article Zebbe ;)

[acdc]

somebody help me

i can buy

panorama with teacup for 280 euro s is that a normal price
and snow brothers for 150 euro

anybody nows if that s a good price for these games

thanks

[Zebbe]

InternalPrimate: Thanks :)

acdc: Nice prices, buy them NOW!

[megabomberman]

Aw great article zebbe, that'll help ease some of the worry in me that some day all my carts will have dead batteries, I guess I don't need to worry anymore now!

[Zebbe]

Thanks, pal! Btw, when is your article on the Mega Drive battle against the English coming?

[acdc]

thanks zebbe

i bought them included twinkle tale for 75 euro

say if you still interested in shinobi 3 usa compleet i willsell em if you really wan t it that bad

also got adams family valeus compleet pal version if you are interested

can anybody tell me how i can make a new page here where i can put my trading stuff in

thank you

[Groblek]

If you replace your cart batteries yourself, I *strongly* recommend that you either use a battery with solder tabs already connected to it, or you modify the cartridge to add a battery holder so that you can just pop in a replacement battery. Trying to solder directly to the battery can be very dangerous - I've exploded a battery doing this before, and feeling the top of the battery bounce off my closed eye was pretty frightening. Another safety tip, wear safety goggles when doing this. Also, if you do explode a battery, *don't* wash the stuff that spills out off with water - it reacts violently, and you get some impressive burns. Put some baking soda on the residue, and wipe the mixture off with a dry cloth. Then go over the area with vinegar or something else acidic.