nathaniel.lockha

Converting the video signal to NTSC would require the Signetics 2622 sync generator IC and an NTSC video mixer IC, the NE549. Both of these are basically unobtanium. HOWEVER - if all you want is to get them running off of US mains and connected to a digital display looking decent, that's definitely possible.

Let me do a little poking around some datasheets and I'll see what may or may not be possible.

Are these PAL systems? If so, getting them to work on NTSC is a whole other challenge that may or may not be possible.

It's in the github 😊 I've got a pic in there where it's mounted. I designed it though so you could go either way; installing it internally or leaving it on the outside and grafting an original power cable (or newly made one) onto it. I just wanted folks to have the option, and also to keep the cost down. The use of linear regulators is also down to cost - of course, you can use newer, more efficient DC-DC converters (in fact, I did for my first successful build), but it didn't take away from the current needs of the CV.

Ah yes, the oft overlooked Coleco expansion module, the Engine Block

I came into a couple CVs lately that were lacking controllers and power supplies. Luckily, I had the PSU and controllers already so I could test them, but it annoyed me that I didn't have PSUs to go with them. The current solutions are a bit expensive for my liking, plus I wanted to have something that could run off a normal 'ol 12v supply with a 2.1mm x 5.5mm barrel plug. So here it is: a ColecoVision power supply that runs from a single 12v 3a power supply. The 12v is regulated down to 5v with a 7805, and the -5v is achieved with a charge pump inverter. The charge pump is only capable of supplying 100ma of current, but for the VRAM, it's plenty. I gave it some preliminary testing; leaving it on for a few hours and playing some games of Donkey Kong. Would love to know if it plays nice with some of the other expansions, especially the Roller Controller, given that it uses the power port. Anyway, here's the github. Would love to have some thoughts/comments/suggestions on this thing.