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Post by steel76 on May 7, 2014 10:48:28 GMT -5
I got a problem with my Vectrex controller. Button nr 4 isn´t as responsive as the other ones, and I have to press harder for it to fire. But I have been holding off from fixing it for a long time, since I don´t want to ruin the controller overlay, as it is in superb shape. At the moment I can´t afford to get another one, and I don´t wan´t to get a hacked gamepad either, as I wan´t to play it the original way. Is there anyone who makes replacement overlays? Cause I know it will be completely messed up afterwards. Even if you only heat up and loosen the edges where the screws are. I just don´t understand why the hell they didn´t put the screws under the rubber feets on the back instead. Has anyone succeded with NOT messing up the overlay, when fixing the controller? Maybe the aftermath pics and videos I have seen, is the result of just rushing through it? Oh well, I really need to get it fixed now, before my new games arrives, so I guess I just have to give it a try, even though it gonna hurt like hell, when destroying that overlay  Wish me luck!  |
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Post by Rapetou33 on May 7, 2014 11:37:21 GMT -5
Yes you can use a hair dryer and much patience! I have already done it successfully. I have also seen a controller overlay seller (both European and US version)on ebay France. And I wish you "luck" but should be ok  PS you will also find an overlay on "vectrexmad" site (documents). I don't know if it is possible to download and use it. www.vectrex.co.uk/ |
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Post by jasonbar on May 7, 2014 11:43:35 GMT -5
I don't have the patience to do the hair dryer & overlay trick. I've tried & not done such a good job...
An alternative is to cut small neat round holes at each screw location, leaving the overlay attached. I know, it's a shame to cut the overlay, but, for me, this approach resulted in a better-looking controller when all was said & done.
Just another option to consider.
Thanks,
-Jason
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Post by steel76 on May 7, 2014 11:49:25 GMT -5
Yes you can use a hair dryer and much patience! I have already done it successfully. I have also seen a controller overlay seller (both European and US version)on ebay France. And I wish you "luck" but should be ok PS you will also find an overlay on "vectrexmad" site (documents). I don't know if it is possible to download and use it. www.vectrex.co.uk/Thanks! I was able to download the document  I will also take a look at Ebay, if I mess it up too bad, for a replacement overlay. But I will use the patience and skills of a Ninja tonight |
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Post by steel76 on May 7, 2014 11:52:49 GMT -5
An alternative is to cut small neat round holes at each screw location, leaving the overlay attached. I know, it's a shame to cut the overlay, but, for me, this approach resulted in a better-looking controller when all was said & done. Yes, I was also thinking about doing that instead, I just have to find out the exact positions of the holes. I will consider that alternative tonight |
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Post by jasonbar on May 7, 2014 11:55:42 GMT -5
Take your fingernail & rub/scrape along the overlay--you'll feel when you pass over a screw hole. Quick Google search turned up this page: www.playvectrex.com/shoptalk/vecjoyrepair/vecjoyrepair_f.htmBe sure to click on the picture link. This shows the screw locations. Ya know, now that I look at this, I see that you need but peel up only very small portions of the overlay--I believe my hair dryer peel-up efforts involved pulling up most/all of the overlay. If I'd known to just pull up 5 little regions, I would probably have been more successful! -Jason |
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Post by Rapetou33 on May 7, 2014 12:03:41 GMT -5
I don't have the patience to do the hair dryer & overlay trick. I've tried & not done such a good job... An alternative is to cut small neat round holes at each screw location, leaving the overlay attached. I know, it's a shame to cut the overlay, but, for me, this approach resulted in a better-looking controller when all was said & done. Just another option to consider. Thanks, -Jason Can be a good alternative and quite better for nerves integrity ! I may be trying it one day... thanks for the piece of advice |
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Post by shaky99 on May 7, 2014 13:02:17 GMT -5
Does anyone have a link to the seller on ebay.fr for the controller overlays? Mine was in a bad state when I got it and no amount of TLC seems to improve it.
My controller also had a very unresponsive 4 button. All the conductive contact seemed to have worn off (or was rubbed of by the last owner during a bodged repair). I resorted to gluing a small piece of foil to the contact inside the button and it is now super responsive. I expect I'll have to repair it again at some point but for now it performs great.
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Post by kokovec on May 7, 2014 13:31:18 GMT -5
If the foil repair ever stope working you can try conductive ink
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Post by Rapetou33 on May 7, 2014 13:41:16 GMT -5
Does anyone have a link to the seller on ebay.fr for the controller overlays? Mine was in a bad state when I got it and no amount of TLC seems to improve it. Seems that it 's listed no more for the moment. Sorry. |
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Post by Mayhem on May 7, 2014 14:01:09 GMT -5
I got a problem with my Vectrex controller. Button nr 4 isn´t as responsive as the other ones, and I have to press harder for it to fire. Do you have another controller or another Vectrex? My button 4 is occasionally "off" on my European Vectrex, but it's the console at fault, NOT the controller, as other controllers I have exhibit the same problem when plugged into it. |
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Post by Luitoine on May 7, 2014 15:15:24 GMT -5
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Post by steel76 on May 7, 2014 15:21:19 GMT -5
SUCCESS!! I started by beginning to try to cut a hole, where the lower right screw was. But then I changed my mind and thought "Hell, it can´t be THAT hard to heat up and lift the overlay. And sure enough, within about 5 minutes, the glue started to loosen up, and I could easily lift the corners by using a razorblade, and get to the screws. I cleaned the contacts on the PCB, tested it, and now button 4 works perfect again The overlay survived it all, and you can barely tell that the corners have been lifted. The only small damage, is in the lower right side, where I began to make a hole, but it´s not really noticable. Began to dig in after the heating:  No problems to get to the screws:  Forgot to take more pictures, but this is the result. I marked the damage I made when I tried to cut holes for the screws:  Took about an hour total. Should have tried this a LONG time ago |
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Post by VectorX on May 7, 2014 15:30:49 GMT -5
^Glad to hear it My button 4 is occasionally "off" on my European Vectrex, but it's the console at fault, NOT the controller, as other controllers I have exhibit the same problem when plugged into it. I guess you've tried using some commercial electronic connector cleaner for it? |
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Post by shaky99 on May 7, 2014 16:31:22 GMT -5
Great, thanks for that. I'll see if I can remember enough French to navigate ebay.fr and contact the seller. |
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