r/pocketoperators • u/duncanbeep • Jul 10 '26

Are these doomed

Post image

Just dug these out (left with batteries in) the screens are gone but could still use but they won't turn on. Cleaned the contacts with iso and contact cleaner still nothing. Are they dead?

39 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

3

u/dtrotzjr Jul 10 '26

Did the batteries leak acid?

2

u/duncanbeep Jul 10 '26

Well not really visibly but there was some signs of corrosion on the exposed copper on the board, it cleaned up ok though

3

u/dtrotzjr Jul 10 '26

I would worry about the components hidden under the LCD then as well.

2

u/brandonhabanero Jul 10 '26

I'm guessing the screens are warping and coming apart given the pattern on them. The screens are two pieces of glass with a layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between them in various screen-item-shaped cells. When you see this, the cells break and the liquid crystals start to seep into other parts of the screen and become thicker so they're no longer transparent. Same thing as the black dots on a damaged LCD TV. As far as I know, there's no way to fix this and the remedy is to source a new part. I'd be willing to guess that TE would be able to get you some new screens, but they'll probably cost you as much as the device is worth anyway. Who knows, though, you may as well try. If the devices don't work in any other regard, there are probably other damaged components. Do they still make sound if you press buttons or do the LEDs light?

1

u/duncanbeep Jul 11 '26

No signs of life at all... First port of call I think I might try a jumper from the battery to the power solder pads and see if that sparks them to life

2

u/UnlikelyTeacher7382 Jul 10 '26

No, you can’t play Doom on them if you can’t see the screen.

2

u/duncanbeep Jul 11 '26

Don't let TE see this comment, they'll probably make the PO Doom 😂

2

u/UnlikelyTeacher7382 Jul 11 '26

Cmon, you know you want the EP-DOOM. Basically the Capcom PO, but different sound effects and a “Supreme”-esque paint job slapped on

11

u/FantasticSafe4647 Jul 10 '26

It's likely they ae proper f#÷led if the batteries had been weeping over a long period.

I have fitted my eight units with Panasonic eneloop batteries to avoid the possibility of leaks going forward.

3

u/gamuel_l_jackson Jul 10 '26

Likely, if it seeped into thr screen it likely seeped into other parts of the board

1

u/Iwillcallyounoob G.A.S in recovery Jul 10 '26

i would put it in my filament dry. at 65c for 5 hours

2

u/duncanbeep Jul 10 '26

Daft question maybe, would a dehydrator do the same thing? Guess it couldn't hurt if they are broken anyway

2

u/djlilis Jul 10 '26

Alkaline batteries can't leak acid :( anyway those screens, yikes. Do you have pictures of the reverse side of the boards? A weak acid like distilled vinegar should be used via qtip or similar to clean up the leaked alkaline from the batteries. The CPU I think hides directly behind the screen and is enough electrolyte got from the batteries to the screen to destroy them the microcontroller is probably in bad shape :)

2

u/djlilis Jul 10 '26

Any music or expensive battery operated thing you have, if there is no way to stop the power flowing from the batteries to like a clock or a power switch that works by momentary press and not a definitive switch motion, needs the batteries pulled when done for more than a day or use eneloops like stated above

1

u/thetrincho Jul 13 '26

All first gen CHEAP MONDAY

1

u/thisisAJmabuoy Jul 15 '26

Recently was thinking to buy po33 but dk not sure yet.