How do I preserve a prototype from electrostatic charges?

Discussion in 'Repair, Restoration, Conservation and Preservation' started by Paolo, Jun 30, 2018.

  1. Paolo

    Paolo Member

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    Hello, I'm here for asking how to better preserve my prototype.

    I own a Nintendo 64 prototype and I'm a bit worried about the conditions since I don't want it to be damaged in the years. This prototype has its own shell, so no circuit board is exposed to the external.
    My worries are about
    1) UV light
    2) electrostatic charges

    I bought a PMMA box that is made to protect it from UV light even though I will not expose it directly to the light but I will put it in a closet.
    My idea is to put the proto in a Mylar D sleeve (the one that's used for the comics that are acid free) and then in the PMMA box. Do you know if there's a risk of electrostatic charges? I know that sometimes it's unuseful to put the cart in an antistatic sleeve if it doesn't have board parts on the external. I also heard that sometimes those antistatic sleeves can damage the boards.
    Maybe I'm too meticulous talking about that but I don't want to occur risks.
    I'm happy if someone can help me. I know some of you are expert about preserving old rarities.
    Thanks again
     
  2. -=FamilyGuy=-

    -=FamilyGuy=- Site Supporter 2049

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    Antistatic bags do exist, I think those would be preferable to the mylar.

    I'm no expert though.
     
  3. Paolo

    Paolo Member

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    That's right but I really don't know how those bags work. I would use them if there are no risks in using them. I don't know if they are useful because there are no chips or part of the board on the external side. Maybe the plastic shell is a protection itself so it woudl be unuseful. It would be the first time I read someone use those bags for Nintendo carts.
     
  4. -=FamilyGuy=-

    -=FamilyGuy=- Site Supporter 2049

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    They have a conductive layer that stop the plastic part of the bag accumulating charges. It should be just as safe as a plastic bag, plus the added benefit to protect against electrostatic discharges. No downsides except it's more expensive.
     
  5. rama

    rama Gutsy Member

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    If you're protecting against ESD then you need to know that plastic covers do nothing to protect the electronics.
    If you have high voltage, a discharge goes right through it.

    To protect against that, the ESD bags are a good start.
    You don't want your container for the item to be potentially lethal to that item ;)
    Make sure it's a real ESD bag though:
     
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  6. Paolo

    Paolo Member

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    Thank you so much for these info. Do you think that's possibile to use a ESD bag to put the cart inside and then put everything inside a PMMA box? In this way I can cover electostatic charge and UV
     
  7. Paolo

    Paolo Member

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    Can you also link a good type of these bags? I'm not an expert so I'm totally inexperienced in these subjects. Electronics is so hard for someone never studied it :/
     
  8. -=FamilyGuy=-

    -=FamilyGuy=- Site Supporter 2049

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    Certainly.
     
  9. rama

    rama Gutsy Member

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    Yeah, it would be well protected.
    I don't usually buy these bags so I can't recommend a seller.
     
  10. Nully

    Nully Dauntless Member

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