CD32 Accelerator reliability ..

leonk · 22 April 2019, 05:50

I’ve now setup 4 TF328 for friends and wanted to talk about the overall reliability.

Don’t get me wrong. The TF328 makes the CD32 a usable computer and I’m all for it. But the overall reliability of the slot connector is just trash. I’ve used a ton of 99% isopropyl to clean with qtips (keep cleaning till no longer black)

Put it all together and it works for a day or 2. Then it stops. Most common symptoms is the CF LED is solid and system frozen.

I reseat the accelerator and it’s good again. for a day or so.

Does anyone have a good permanent solution to solve these problems?? I got so fed up I ended purchasing an A500 with 68030 accelerator and I find the CPU socket accelerators to just be a lot more reliable.

jlin_au · 22 April 2019, 18:00

Check and clean the edge connector on both the cd32 side as well as the TF328 side.

If they are made with certain differing materials then an electrochemical reaction between the differing metal contacts may be the cause of the issue. Many higher end electronic devices use gold plated contacts on at least one side to avoid this issue.

If the edge connector pads on the PCB are soldered and dull rather than shiny solder then you may want to use a desoldering wick to remove the old solder before resoldering them with a thin layer of fresh solder and fresh flux (to slow oxidation of the soldered surface).

Avoid soldering shiny or dull plated metal contacts; instead just clean these carefully with isopropyl alchol and then apply electrical contact cleaner/protector.

Glen M · 22 April 2019, 19:15

Haven't had a problem. My tf328 was in the machi e constant for well over a year and it never failed to boot. The TF330 in it now also is rock solid.

Maybe try cleaning inside slot on the riser card too. Perhaps if the cd32 expansion was dirty that dirt has transferring I side the riser card.

22 April 2019, 22:35

same here, no problems with either the TF328 or 330.
I did buy a longer IDE cable tho so i could have easy access to the CF card , as personally i don't think removing the card and putting it back in so many times can be good for the connector or the riser, as i often hook my cf up to the pc to update stuff,so its in and out quite often

Twiggy · 30 April 2019, 19:35

My TF328 seems to have suddenly died. Cleaning the connectors hasn't really done anything. Quite mysterious.

22 April 2019, 05:50	#1
leonk Registered User Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 12	CD32 Accelerator reliability .. I’ve now setup 4 TF328 for friends and wanted to talk about the overall reliability. Don’t get me wrong. The TF328 makes the CD32 a usable computer and I’m all for it. But the overall reliability of the slot connector is just trash. I’ve used a ton of 99% isopropyl to clean with qtips (keep cleaning till no longer black) Put it all together and it works for a day or 2. Then it stops. Most common symptoms is the CF LED is solid and system frozen. I reseat the accelerator and it’s good again. for a day or so. Does anyone have a good permanent solution to solve these problems?? I got so fed up I ended purchasing an A500 with 68030 accelerator and I find the CPU socket accelerators to just be a lot more reliable.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Are there any accelerator's designed that use a Ras Pi as the accelerator?	dommer	support.Hardware	0	15 June 2018 20:52
Amiga CD32 swap for A1200 Accelerator	l1dge	Swapshop	4	21 July 2017 13:20
can add a 1200 accelerator to cd32?	cpiac64	Hardware mods	7	19 December 2011 10:45
Wanted Accelerator + Black CD32 Keyboard	falken	MarketPlace	0	10 August 2010 07:40
For Sale: Amiga CD32 SX32 MKII accelerator!	mrluff	MarketPlace	11	07 May 2008 04:15

22 April 2019, 18:00	#2
jlin_au Registered User Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Fadden ACT Australia Posts: 128	Check and clean the edge connector on both the cd32 side as well as the TF328 side. If they are made with certain differing materials then an electrochemical reaction between the differing metal contacts may be the cause of the issue. Many higher end electronic devices use gold plated contacts on at least one side to avoid this issue. If the edge connector pads on the PCB are soldered and dull rather than shiny solder then you may want to use a desoldering wick to remove the old solder before resoldering them with a thin layer of fresh solder and fresh flux (to slow oxidation of the soldered surface). Avoid soldering shiny or dull plated metal contacts; instead just clean these carefully with isopropyl alchol and then apply electrical contact cleaner/protector.

22 April 2019, 19:15	#3
Glen M Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Belfast Posts: 750	Haven't had a problem. My tf328 was in the machi e constant for well over a year and it never failed to boot. The TF330 in it now also is rock solid. Maybe try cleaning inside slot on the riser card too. Perhaps if the cd32 expansion was dirty that dirt has transferring I side the riser card.

22 April 2019, 22:35	#4
xubidoo Posts: n/a	same here, no problems with either the TF328 or 330. I did buy a longer IDE cable tho so i could have easy access to the CF card , as personally i don't think removing the card and putting it back in so many times can be good for the connector or the riser, as i often hook my cf up to the pc to update stuff,so its in and out quite often

30 April 2019, 19:35	#5
Twiggy \m/ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Devon, U.K. Posts: 573	My TF328 seems to have suddenly died. Cleaning the connectors hasn't really done anything. Quite mysterious.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)