bszarek001

Hi Everyone, Wondering if I could get your expert opinions... I have a Sears Tele-Games Heavy Sixer I'm currently in the process of restoring. I'm getting +11-12 vdc at J204 (power plug) and it's disseminating just fine to the 7805 Voltage Regulator, where I'm getting exactly +5 vdc. Perfect. However, I'm getting no video output whatsoever. I test the voltage at the RF modulator, pin 2 (on a 3 pin RF board) and I'm getting nothing. So I trace it back to pin 11 of J101 (12 pin ribbon at the top). According to the schematics, this should be providing +5VDC to power the RF board. I tested all the points along the back of the board and I'm getting nothing. Yes, I know there is a capacitor there, but it wouldn't matter in this case because I tested at pin 11 at J101 and it's providing no power at all even though at pin 1 of J101 I'm getting +5VDC and at pin 2 of J101 I'm getting +11vdc or so (which is correct, according to the field manual). So it would appear that there is some kind of short or break in the PCB at pin 11 causing this issue. What I'm wondering is this -- can I jump pin 11 at J101 with another +5vdc power source, possibly even pin 1 of J101? I don't want to try it and potentially ruin this really beautiful heavy. If not at pin 1, where else could I jump from that would be safe? Maybe one of the points past the 7805 after the power has been regulated to +5? I did test continuity along the 12 pin ribbon J101 and there appears to be satisfactory continuity and checked for cold solder joints, re-flowing a couple but it didn't help. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Wanted to get an expert opinion before I try jumping this and potentially ruin the entire board. Thanks!

Ahhh ok.. I see that now.. My mistake.. That'll be a project when I get to that one, to be sure.

Hi -- this looks awesome.. Can I ask why you didn't go onto the 4050? Is it because you pulled out an existing mod with the wires already in tact?

Before and after pictures of Frogger on a light sixer I did a UAV rev D with audio mixing board mod to this evening. I didnt realize how bad the RF modulator was acting up until I pulled it back apart. But the install was easy thanks to the great instructions and the quality is unbelievable, even on this shitty work bench crt. Still have to drill the holes and put it back together, but wow! Cant wait to attack the 5200 and 7800 now! Thanks Bryan

Hi Bryan -- Now that I have my new UAV and audio mixer, I can't wait to get into my six switch. Question -- did you happen to do a "how to" for the UAV and audio board for the 5200 or 7800 by chance? That would be extremely helpful. Thanks a bunch! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey everyone, I'm looking to get my feet wet in the ColecoVision world with a basic starter kit - controllers, power supply, RF line, and potentially a few games. Not looking to spend a fortune. I can pay cash OR I have numerous 2600's to trade, including a nice AV modded 4 switch, a completely restored early "E" label Heavy Sixer, and an unmodded light sixer (but I have some UAV's coming and can mod it easily enough). Please shoot me a PM with what you have and how much you're looking for on it! Thanks Brian

Hi everyone - have a 5200 I love playing and the controllers have been rebuilt and work fine but ... are 5200 controllers. Id like to be able to plug in my Edladdin stick or potentially buy a Wico 5200 to better play my console. If anyone has one for sale reasonably, please hit me up. Thanks!

Do you still have the 5200 Wico stick? How much? Thanks!

I found these two at Michaels. $5 each. They look very close so Ill give it a shot. Cant look worse than it does not.

Thanks Bryan -- appreciate it. If you wouldn't mind PM'ing me your address, I'll send them back. Thanks!

Thank Bryan, I appreciate your time. I may take you up on that offer. Question - could the issue be a result of the small trace between the two pads on the +5 pads as Stephen suggested? If so, I'll cut the bridge and give that a shot.

Hi Everyone, I'm having some issues with power as it relates to the UAV. I've reached out to Bryan, but I know he's busy and I haven't heard back yet. I'm hoping someone here has run into this and can assist. I have a 2600A I'm trying to add a UAV to. The power in the unit is fine. I solder in my hookup power and ground wires and the power is fine (photo left- about 4.9VDC). As soon as I solder the other end to the UAV and test at the UAV solder points, I get about .8VDC. I also have a six switch I'm trying to add a UAV to as well. As you can see I drew power from R231 and ground it in the old RF board ground pin. Power is fine when i solder in the connection wires. Then I solder the other end to the UAV and I'm getting nearly zero VDC. I'm using 22 AWG solid core connection wire, which should be plenty to deliver 5V. I've also tried 20 AWG stranded connection wire that I have and get the same results. Am I missing something or could I potentially have some bad boards? Thanks everyone.

Very nice Jeremy. I, begrudgingly, might have to go there this weekend.

Right, to the best of my knowledge they are replacement sticks. Like I said, I know they changed the pack-ins at Some point, but based on the serial, I'm not 100% sure. And unfortunately I do not have the manual. It's one manual I don't have.

Hi. I never said the sticks were original. My understanding is that at some point they changed the included sticks, so I don't know based on the serial number if these were truly the pack-ins.

Ok, nope.. It appears to be their house brand. Shit. I'm going to have to bring the bezel into Michaels and see if I can find something similar.

This puts me at great odds with my conscience, as I absolutely despise Hobby Lobby and everything it stands for from a corporate perspective. It's one of those times I drew a line in the sand and said I would never go there again, much like Wal Mart. Someone else HAS to sell these things (Michaels does not, or so it would appear based on their website).

Hi Everyone, I am not a collector of Atari paperwork. I do appreciate it and know there is a market for it, but I'm personally not a CIB or completest collector by any means. I just enjoy playing the games on classic consoles. To that end, I'm selling off my collection of manuals and catalogs that I have. I have commons and some more rare ones, each one has been cataloged as best I could on the spreadsheet below. https://db.tt/Bd2iyisAfw PM me if interested! Willing to sell or trade! Thanks!

An ultrasonic cleaner. Interesting.. So you pull them off the PCB just to clean them then solder them back on? If I end up keeping this unit, that's definitely a consideration. The Brawny eraser sounds like the Mr Clean Magic Eraser. I've used that on my Super Pac Man cocktail joystick overlay and it worked wonders. That has a hard clear plastic covering, whereas the VCS i was worried about further discoloration, etc. What do you think of this marker for the bezel? I'm trying to get honest opinions and photos from people that have used it. There was a thread where people recommended it but never really posted the results.. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027622OM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=atariage&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0027622OM Thanks fiddle - appreciate it!

Hello everyone, Listed is a Sears-branded "Heavy Sixer" Atari VCS/2600 with beautiful original box, Sears-branded paddles, sticks and 2 games (Target Fun and 01 Combat, both Sears editions). The power supply is original to the unit and very rare to find together. I personally took this unit apart and cleaned everything and adjusted the color. The switches needed some work but they're perfect now. With the exception of an occasional small mark, and the small tear that's visible on the flap of the box, this set is beautiful. This is very much for the completist and I'm not that person. I was thinking of hanging onto it but already have two player units and don't know I'd use this that much. I'd rather see it go to a good home. I've researched and this is the lowest price you will find for a Sears Heavy Sixer of this quality with an original box in this condition (on ebay at least). Other listings have boxes that are pretty wrecked. This is a large package with the original box included. I can ship it however you like - with the unit in the box, or (my preference) the box separate from the console, which would be bubble wrapped separately. Obviously it's large and heavy (hence the name). Buyer to pay actual shipping costs - will ship it however you like with USPS Priority my preference. PM me with any questions you may have! Asking $350 or will trade for some systems I don't have, like Colecovision, Intellivision, Vectrex, etc. Thanks for looking

Hey everyone, I just finished refurbishing and cleaning this "light sixer" Atari 2600/VCS. It's a really beautiful light sixer. It has been completely cleaned with Iso 90, Deoxit and Contact spray where appropriate. Cleaned the entire case as well. I replaced the power switch, the power input plug, the voltage regulator, and cleaned/reflowed some points on the RF modulator board. The colors are brilliant now and everything lined up nicely with the Atari color diagnostics cart. Basic starter set with Keystone Capers, one controller, a brand new off-brand power adapter, and an RF to Coax adapter for plug in to your new TV. I have additional controllers, paddles, manuals, etc, for sale if interested. Buyer to pay for shipping costs. PM me with any questions. Asking $75 or will trade for some systems I don't have, like Colecovision, Intellivision, Vectrex, etc. Thanks for looking!

Hi everyone, I wasn't sure if this was the right forum for this topic, but there really isn't a general repair forum, so i figured here is as good a place as any. I've taken on a hobby of rescuing Atari 2600 units that are in complete disrepair. This particular one is a heavy sixer (obviously) that was non functioning and appeared to be covered in both white paint drops as well as possible bleach. The textured black surface seemed completely altered. I opened it up and it was covered in cobwebs and filth. I spent the better part of a day cleaning the inside of it. Of course the unit didn't work, so I did some troubleshooting. Replaced the 7805, the RF cable (completely destroyed), as well as a faulty RIOT chip. And yes, I had to replace the game select switch, as the spring was actually gone out of the switch and did not function at all. Replaced it with NOS from Best. The biggest issue I faced with this one was the black textured plastic on the top and bezel. As you can see in the pictures, it looks like either it was splashed with bleach or covered in some kind of orange paint. I tried Iso 91 and paint thinner and nothing came off, which leads me to believe it was bleached. I was able to get most of the white paint chips off with some elbow grease. I tried a little bit of Armor All to see if it could bring the black to the forefront, and on my first pass, you could tell it was starting to pull the black out. So I used the Armor All on the entire case, essentially, and it did an admirable job. Considering where this was and where it is now, I'm fairly happy on this $30 purchase that came with 25 games! I have a few questions for the experts here. First, is there any way to get the grime off the remaining original switches, or is that ingrained? I tried paint thinner and Iso with a toothbrush and it didn't budge. I suppose I could wait until I find another parts Atari console with similar wear and a working switch and swap out the new one with an old one, but I'm just wondering if anyone has ideas on how to clean that the old ones? Second, there is some fraying on the side of the bottom of the case. I tried a smooth buffing nail file and it started to make it worse. I'm guessing this just needs to be left alone? Finally, the color around the bezel. I know there was a thread about this but I couldn't find it off the top. Should I bother trying to repaint the trim around the bezel or just leave it? And if i should paint it, what is the color and how do i do it? Thanks everyone for your help!

I didn't know about that Stormfly thing until I watched the YouTube video. What a load of horseshit, even for 2013. If he is the creative director for the AtariBox, it's doomed.

I corrected my post.. Indiegogo. Ugh..