Robotron joystick switches

westal_sage

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I'm having trouble with some diagonal maneuvers in my Robotron. In particular, firing down/left is troublesome. I just can't seem to get the switches adjusted right.

I'm wondering if putting small caps across the switches might help - to slightly lengthen their pulse.

Has anyone tried something like that, or have any other suggestions on solving my problem?

Thanks!! -Wes
 
Usually that means that the contactor plate (the little metal plate under the leaf closest to the joystick shaft) is too far away. Gently bend that back toward the shaft and then adjust the top leaf so that the spacing is the same as on your other leafs.

ken
 
I'm wondering if putting small caps across the switches might help - to slightly lengthen their pulse.
People have good suggestions about adjustment. Personally I'd install brand-new leaf switch because on a 30 year old game, they're usually old enough to justify replacing.

But I say "no" on this capacitor idea because the switch operates open/closed, not with a pulse. The entire time you're holding down, the down switch is closed. The entire time you're holding diagonal, both the down and left switches are closed. Adding a capacitor might be appropriate if you want to slowdown the reaction time, to reduce mechanical effects of the switch bouncing. For example if you hit a button but game registered several separate hits. Adding a capacitor would not be appropriate if you're holding a joystick and it's not moving in that direction.

Your description sounds more like your switches aren't making electrical contact when you push in that direction. That's adjustment or new switches.
 
Thanks guys! Yep it turned out I should've heeded the age old advice - when in doubt, clean it. The switches look relatively new (they're clearly not the originals), but they still had started to get a little buildup on the contacts. I cleaned them really well and now everything is working perfectly.

LOVE this game!! Still haven't quite broken a mil, though. 929K is my high.
 
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