coleco roller controller trouble

[Deadbolt613]

I am looking for some suggestions on how to get my roller controller functioning properly. It kind of works when the switch is set to joystick, the buttons work but the ball is very unresponsive to the point it is unplayable. When I flip the switch to roller is does nothing at all. I took it apart to look at the rollers and clean them up assuming it was very similar to an old mouse with a ball in it which always got funky, which it was similar so I wiped down the rollers and messed with the switch a little bit but that didn't help at all. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[nanochess]

First thing you should do is to test your Roller Controller with Slither or Victory (with switch in roller mode), you should be able to move your turret easily over the screen.

 

If the response seems weird but works both up/down and right/left it's possible that there is dust inside or some mechanical part is out of its place, just remove screws and clean the inside.

 

If this doesn't solve the problem, it is probable that the optical sensors are bad and unfortunately them are hard to find.

[Deadbolt613]

Unfortunately I don't own either one of them right now, I was trying to use it with centipede. I took it apart and it looked pretty clean inside.

[Pixelboy]

I don't think Centipede works in "roller" mode.

[+boxpressed]

Based on what I learned from Yurkie, it sounds like your optical sensors are shot. One way to test is to play a game like Slither and swipe the ball diagonally. If the character moves in that direction, your optical sensors are good.

[ColecoDan]

Centipede does not work in roller mode it was not designed for roller controller. Any game not specifically designed for roller controller has to use the joystick setting in order to be able to use the roller controller.

So no response in roller mode for centipede is what you should expect and not a good check of if the module works or not. You can usually get slither for a couple of bucks on ebay or Atari2600.com or some other places you can look.

I suggest doing that if you really want to know if it works or not.

[Deadbolt613]

Thanks for all the information. Greatly appreciated. I just got my coleco a couple months ago so im still trying to build up a good game library (up to 25 now). So my next purchases will be games designed for the roller controller. But even attempting to play centipede with it set to joystick, I shouldn't have to make the ball go 50 revolutions to get the thing to move an inch correct? Is that common?

[+boxpressed]

No, something else is wrong. I know that you opened up the case, but is it possible that the rollers were not reseated properly?

[Deadbolt613]

Everything looked good, I made sure the bearings were properly in their slots and everything and tested it without the top on it to make sure everything was moving as I spun the ball and everything looked good internally but it still didn't preform well on the screen.

[+boxpressed]

I can't remember, but can you operate the trackball without the top cover on? It might be worth checking just in case something to do with the top cover is knocking something out of alignment. I used 3-in-One oil to oil the bearings in mine, but I don't think that's your problem.

[Deadbolt613]

I tried it without the cover on and go the same results. How do these optical sensors work? And are they something that can be cleaned? I have done my share of controller fixing with my atari and even my xbox 360, but this is the first time I have encountered these sensors.

[Deadbolt613]

Could it have anything to do with the me not having a functional controller to plug into the second controller port? I only have one that works.

[+boxpressed]

Hmm. Not sure about that. Also not sure how the optical sensors work but I don't think that cleaning them will fix them. I believe they need to be replaced.

[Deadbolt613]

Alright, thanks again for the info. I'll have to tinker a little more when I get home from work...

[NIAD]

I would check the power adapter that plugs into the back of the ColecoVision and then the CV Power Supply plugs into this adapter. Give this adapter (both sides) a good looking over to make sure that none of the contacts inside the adapter have been damaged, come loose or are missing altogether. If all is well, then give the adapter a good cleaning with GOOD quality Isopropyl Alcohol.

 

You do not have to have two controllers hooked up the the DB9 connectors in the Roller Controller unit, one will suffice and one is required so that you can start a game.

 

The only games that REQUIRE the Roller Controller are Slither and Victory. Omega Race is recommended for use with it, but has built-in support for the standard Hand Controller. The switch HAS to be set to Roller Mode.

 

All other games in the CV library can be played with the Roller Controller's Trakball with the selector switch set to Joystick Mode... to varying degrees of success. The two best examples are Centipede and WarGames.

 

If the issue isn't the Power Adapter or possibly a CV Power Supply that isn't outputting the proper voltages, then the Optical Sensors are where the problem lays and your only option is to buy another Roller Controller. If your current Roller Controller is bad, don't throw it away, save it for parts or at the very least disconnect the Power Cord with the Adapter internally and I will pay the shipping and a small "Thank You" amount for sending it to me.

 

Here is a pic of the connection if you don't have the manual.

Roller Controller Hook-up to ColecoVision.pdf

[Deadbolt613]

Thanks for the help, I tried cleaning the contacts up for the cable with no success. I havnt given up on it yet, but if I do you will be the first to know. Idk if you would be interested in the cable because it has a splice in it, which I resoldered an checked with my multimeter to eliminate that as an issue.

[+boxpressed]

Even if the trackball isn't working, the roller controller has utility as a kind of arcade stick. It works great with the ball-top mod for the controllers. I created a thread about it awhile back. A good way to circumvent the side-action buttons of the original controller.

 

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/197983-roller-controller-arcade-stick/

Edited April 5, 2013 by boxpressed

[Deadbolt613]

That is a great idea, i'll have try that.