F18A ADAM Adpater and case mod

[phattyboombatty]

After many weeks of trying to find the right time to finish the mod, here are the results!

 

Initial testing. Had to check the F18A output. Hadn't yet figured out the case mod and audio jack.

 

Decided to utilize an existing port location for the 1/8 phono jack output. Engineered the correct location and marked it with a red Sharpie. Obvious sacrifice of the composite out jack.

 

A closeup of the new audio jack. Had to scrape away a bit of grounding solder using my Dremel with a tiny file-like cylindrical attachment. Connected mono audio from C88.

 

Expansion slots. Ran the +12v power cable through the data drive opening. This powers the CF card rig. Thanks to Rey and Jim (NIAD) for their helpful posts on this!

 

Tightening up the case. I wanted to have the 15-pin VGA port inline with the other ports. There was a glaringly blank and unused space among them, and I thought this looked the nicest.

 

Another rear view. I realized that I hadn't cut the interior center rear post down far enough, so I went back to do a bit more filing. Yep, I sacrificed one interior strut support in order to run the VGA cable to the correct locationworth it!! The case halves are seamless now, although not in this picture.

[Rey]

Very nice sir, great job!

[jfcarbel]

Very Nice! Wish to do the same to mine

 

Does anyone know someone local to Chicagoland area that can install the 40 pin socket for me?

 

I can do the mod but don't have heat gun to remove the VDP. Also seems they are out of stock on the F18, does anyone have any of these?

[matthew180]

Bmack36 might have still have some F18As available, but you will need the ADAM adapter and an F18A with low-profile pins (not sure if Bmack36 has those). I'm working on another run of F18A boards, but it will be Feb or March before I have them. I believe you sent me a message via my contact form and I have you on the list of people to email when I get the F18A in stock.

 

I'm willing to install a socket in your ADAM if you want to send me *just the motherboard* (it should fit in a USPS medium flat-rate box). Cost is $40 + shipping both ways. Probably cheaper / easier to find someone local though.

[Bmack36]

I do still have some F18as but I do not have any of the low profile pins or ADAM adapter boards. If you do take Matthew up on his offer, I could send one of the boards to Matthew to put on the low profile pins if that works for him.

[NIAD]

@ jfcarbel... I sent you a Private Message re. the F18A board. Check your messages and let me know if you are interested.

[JasonE]

On 1/8/2017 at 4:52 PM, matthew180 said:

Bmack36 might have still have some F18As available, but you will need the ADAM adapter and an F18A with low-profile pins (not sure if Bmack36 has those).

Any chance you have more of the Adam offset boards available? If not are you willing to share the drawing so I can get some madeup?  I've got an F18A coming from Hans.  Would have preferred to wait for V2 to be complete, but my Adam has a dead video circuit.

 

[crisalan44]

21 hours ago, JasonE said:

Any chance you have more of the Adam offset boards available? If not are you willing to share the drawing so I can get some madeup?  I've got an F18A coming from Hans.  Would have preferred to wait for V2 to be complete, but my Adam has a dead video circuit.

 

Is this what you are looking for, this one is on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175008061954?hash=item28bf4b1a02:g:mdQAAOSwsXRhOBJw

[JasonE]

16 hours ago, crisalan44 said:

Is this what you are looking for, this one is on ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175008061954?hash=item28bf4b1a02:g:mdQAAOSwsXRhOBJw

Thanks for the link.  Too bad with shipping to Canada it ends up being about $40 after exchange! I'll wait to hear from Matthew otherwise I'll draw up my own board.

[matthew180]

I shared the project on OSHpark so you can order the board.  You will also need a 40-pin socket and the PCB pins.

 

https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/LRw0l4ER

 

PCB PINS, Mill-Max: 3157-0-00-15-00-00-03-0 Press Fit, Qty: 23, DigiKey: ED90328-ND

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/3157-0-00-15-00-00-03-0/437069

or

Tall PCB PINS, Mill-Max: 342-10-164-00-591000 SIP header, break away 64-pins, Qty: 1, DigiKey: 575-641591

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/mill-max-manufacturing-corp/342-10-164-00-591000/357033

 

The large "pin headers" that are common in DIY kits and such will not work, since they are too fat for the holes.  A machine-pin socket is probably what you want to use, if the board Hans is providing uses the round PCB-pins.

 

[JasonE]

I am having 5 of these boards printed if anyone needs one.

[JasonE]

@matthew180 I finally got around to soldering up one of these offset boards to put my Adam cover back on.  I can't get the F18A to work in it, only the F18A boot screen.  I've checked all of the pins that are circled on the board for continuity.  Suggestions? It seems one of the signals is missing.

 

 

[JasonE]

Looked at the 9928 pinout.  Everything is there and connected but it just doesn't work in this adapter.  

 

Just made up another board and it works fine.  I'll throw the first one out.

Edited March 21, 2022 by JasonE

[matthew180]

@JasonE I'm glad to hear you got it working.  There is not much to go wrong with the adapter board, although it can be a PITA to solder.  I typically use a no-clean liquid flux on all the holes to help the solder flow all the way through, and to ensure good joints.

[JasonE]

23 hours ago, matthew180 said:

@JasonE I'm glad to hear you got it working.  There is not much to go wrong with the adapter board, although it can be a PITA to solder.  I typically use a no-clean liquid flux on all the holes to help the solder flow all the way through, and to ensure good joints.

It seems the machined socket I used was not a snug enough fit for the F18A. Some of pins on my F18A are slightly smaller than normal.  When I made the second board I used a double swipe socket and seems to have corrected the issue.