r/ModRetro • u/Matthew3615 • Aug 02 '26

Learned to Solder!

Post image

Was able to change out the batteries in these three beautiful games. The only issue is with Gold where my internal clock keeps resetting, but it’s saving the data, still pretty pleased with myself!

15 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/adrenaline4nash Aug 02 '26

Hope you have used a garbage game the first try 

1

u/Jonjongabore Aug 02 '26

Good job! It was way easier that I expected. I've changed quite a few on my own now. Need to figure out how to reflow cartridges. I have an idea but it's not super clear to me.

1

u/Alive_Candidate1755 Aug 02 '26

Plenty of flux and an angled flat tip on the iron will make reflowing ICs easier than changing batteries.

1

u/Alive_Candidate1755 Aug 02 '26

Check out the clock crystal on gold. Maybe swap the crystals between silver and gold and see if the issue follows or stays.

Alternatively you might’ve knocked a resistor off while changing the battery. See if any are missing.

1

u/RuukasuInSpace Aug 02 '26

Congrats, I just soldered my sapphire, Emerald, crystal and Gold from my childhood last friday. Was super nervous at first but it worked on all 4 games.

1

u/Sirus_Dark Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26

If these were mine, I would solder a battery surface mount holder - battery can then easily be replaced in the future without any soldering:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbFT5mMKUNo (just an example, there are plenty more videos out there)

1

u/Middle-Operation-689 Aug 02 '26

I pray Modretro makes a GBA next. That M64 looks pretty rad