Quicks or soldering ?

[PedroSilva]

Hi,

I've talked to a guy that owns a company that builds and maintains arcades. When I asked him what was the best thing to use for the button contacts, he told me soldering. I asked why and he said "because of oxidation ... if you don't solder them, you will have to replace them every year or at least clear all the oxid from the contacts"

Any comments on this ?

[Minwah]

I would've thought in an arcade (& especially home) environment oxidisation wouldn't be too much of an issue...but what do I know  

That said I do prefer solder joints generally, they do give a more solid reliable connection.  But I used quick disconnects for my sticks / buttons in case I ever need to disconnect the switches...I'll let you know in a year if they have stopped working due to oxidisation  

[Stingray]

I really doubt oxidation is a real issue. Cars are full of quick disconect connectors, though mostly of a different style. I don't know of anyone who has to have all of the electrical connections in their car replaced every year.

-S

[Ken Layton]

I've built hundreds of control panels over the years for video game conversions. I have always used quick connects. Maybe this person you talked to can't make good crimps and that's why he said to solder them. Personally I prefer quick connects as it makes it easy for game route personnel to change a bad microswitch or broken joystick without having to call us techs out.

[Stingray]

Also if you do really think that corrosion might be an issue for whatever reason you could put a little dab of dielectric grease on the tabs before you slide on the quick disconnects, but I really don't think this is necesary for something that's going to be used in a home environment.

-S

[Ken Layton]

The only oxidation problems I have encountered are the contacts INSIDE the microswitch getting oxidized. That would require replacing the switch.

[Stingray]

The only oxidation problems I have encountered are the contacts INSIDE the microswitch getting oxidized. That would require replacing the switch.

And about ten seconds of work assuming you used quick disconects and not solder.  

-S

[mahuti]

Does your friend run an open air arcade across from the beach?

There's not one spot of rust on my year old panels.

Even the 10 year old QDs from one of my converted machines doesn't have corrosion.

[PedroSilva]

Thank you all for your comments and for sharing your experience ...

This guy ins't really a friend, just a supplier for some parts ...  

Quicks it shall be then ...