Atari 2600 audio capacitors direct replacement.

[arkleyjoe]

Hi,

 

I am looking to replace the audio capacitors in my Atari 2600.

 

The existing ones are 820pf Polystyrene and I am trying to find a direct replacement I can order from RS or Mouser here in the UK. Can anyone give me a some guidance on what I can use to replace them?

 

I have been told I can use 820pf MLCC but do not know any more about the specs / datasheet in order to decide which to order.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Alternatively does anyone in the UK do these kits like console5? https://console5.com/store/atari-2600-total-refresh-kit-new-capacitors.html

 

The postage to the UK just makes ordering from those guys way too expensive.

 

Joe

[+Stephen Moss]

It is always best to replace like for like if possible so for a polystyrene replacement try this, you will need to check their T's & Cs but as far as I know they will still accept phone orders paying by card without having to have an account, postage for orders under £30 ex vat is £3.50.

 

For ceramic try the AVX "skycap" series, or any AVX series, I would go for the X7R dielectric over the NPO but either will probably do and any voltage of 16V should be fine. You will more likely get a 10-20% tolerance on a ceramic cap than the 1% you will get from the polystyrene, although there are some ceramic that are 5%, it is unclear if the wider tolerance and therefore value range of the ceramic will have any noticeable effect on the sound.

[arkleyjoe]

Stargunner thank you very much. TBH i did not think it was possible to get a direct replacement any longer. I will order the ones you have suggested.

 

Thanks again.

 

Joe

[Hidden0]

On 4/26/2018 at 10:53 PM, arkleyjoe said:

Hi,

 

I am looking to replace the audio capacitors in my Atari 2600.

 

The existing ones are 820pf Polystyrene and I am trying to find a direct replacement I can order from RS or Mouser here in the UK. Can anyone give me a some guidance on what I can use to replace them?

 

I have been told I can use 820pf MLCC but do not know any more about the specs / datasheet in order to decide which to order.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Alternatively does anyone in the UK do these kits like console5? https://console5.com/store/atari-2600-total-refresh-kit-new-capacitors.html

 

The postage to the UK just makes ordering from those guys way too expensive.

 

Joe

 

I am not able to find the exact one in my or near my country other then this will that work instead of 820Pf

They have 1000PF

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32829905371.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.355643e9pE13DT&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.169870.0&scm_id=1007.13339.169870.0&scm-url=1007.13339.169870.0&pvid=67f18d97-5331-4938-a74e-1517ba9e456d&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller,scm-url:1007.13339.169870.0,pvid:67f18d97-5331-4938-a74e-1517ba9e456d,tpp_buckets:668%230%23131923%2312_668%230%23131923%2312_668%23888%233325%2310_668%23888%233325%2310_668%232846%238113%231998_668%235811%2327181%2346_668%236421%2330831%23928_668%232717%237563%23564_668%231000022185%231000066058%230_668%236808%2332773%23449_668%233468%2315615%23682_668%232846%238113%231998_668%235811%2327181%2346_668%236421%2330831%23928_668%232717%237563%23564_668%233164%239976%23873_668%236808%2332773%23449_668%233468%2315615%23682&&pdp_ext_f={"sceneId":"3339","sku_id":"65017202460"}

 

 

[+Stephen Moss]

You could try 1000pF (1nF) but it may be a bit too far from the intended value to give the correct results...

If you can get 470pF and 330pF then connect them in parallel to get 800pF, two 470 may be more cost effective as you often have to purchase them in at least a multiple of 5 but is a bit further off the desired value at 940pF. 

Alternatively if you can get a 1600pF (1.6nF) and a 1800pF (1.8nF) and wire them in series that will give 847pF.

[Electric-Dreams]

I buyed some original 820pf poly caps from Best Electronics.

 

https://www.best-electronics-ca.com/2600_Tech_Tips.htm (search for "820pf" on the page to find it)

 

I took the opportunity to buy some others spares (4th gen CX40 Gold PCBs, original PAL TIAs and RIOT Chips, switches, sockets amongst other things...) in order to make shipping costs profitable (i'm European too).

 

I know ... Best Electronics web site can be a little disturbing, but with the help of google you will find any original spare you want. After all, Bradley's site is way newer than ours good old VCS consoles  

[ChildOfCv]

On 8/20/2021 at 8:40 AM, Hidden0 said:

I am not able to find the exact one in my or near my country other then this will that work instead of 820Pf

They have 1000PF

What country are you in?  820pF MLCC axial lead capacitors are easy to obtain in most places.

 

Though radial mica capacitors would probably be a better choice for the audio circuit.

Edited August 27, 2021 by ChildOfCv