PkK Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 The power supply is, IMO, the main weakness in ColecoVisions today. Often, power supplies no longer supply a sufficient voltage on the +5V line, and the graphics chip doesn't tolerate voltage drops on that line. Out of multiple old ColecoVision power supplies I've seen, only few worked well. Personally, I often used an old power supply with the +5V line supplied from a programmable power supply instead. However, apparently someone has new power supplies for the ColecoVision. They seem to consist of a power supply capable of supplying the voltages needed by the ColecoVision, and an adapter plug to attach the 5-pin din connector on the power supply to the ColecoVision. Who is making these? Do they work well (I've seen forum posts of people who have them, and there are no complaints so far)? What are the voltage / current specifications? Apparently, a German shop was selling these (but they are curently sold out there). Any other places to buy them? Philipp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitleSeventeen Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Not much help, but the original brick for mine died a few years back, I opened it up... had to literally cut it open. I remember a bad transistor that I replaced to get it back alive. Granted I had to glue it back together which was not very pretty. I wouldn't mind transplanting it into a generic project box at some point and put a proper line cord on it. But they can be repaired, most of the components are regular old parts that can be had for very little. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmack36 Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 There may or may not be something in development for this (different implementation though). 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_rm_1970 Posted February 9, 2017 Share Posted February 9, 2017 This really needs a sticky, because, if like myself, you have a PSU that died or didn't come with your ebay purchase then you are totally screwed. My only option, for now, is to either buy a 74942 Canadian brick PSU and a Step-down converter. Problems then arise such as costs for both the PSU, shipping, and step-down converter. And, the risk of the converter burning out due to heat from only short usage. Or, build a internal modded PSU. I lack soldering and electronic skills so that is out of the question. What were Coleco thinking ? The Atari 2600, 5200, 7800, Intellivision, NES, etc.. all had pretty-much standard PSUs which could be replaced with modern equivalents. The TI-99/4a, is another machine with the stupid same connector as the Colecovision, but is also completely different regarding volts and amps. I ended up buying 3 of the things just to get a working TI with a PSU. So now I have 3 TI's with one PSU. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted February 11, 2017 Share Posted February 11, 2017 Way too many power supplies dying. I am bringing back a power mod. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 I got one of Yurkie's Power Modded CVs (uses a modern power transformer with a barrel plug) and can't say enough good things about it. When he starts offering the Power Mod, I highly recommend that everyone considers it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towmater Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 After I had an F18A installed, I removed all of the CV ram - the only thing in there requiring negative voltage, and now power my CV from a 5v 2amp wall wart that's about the size of an iPhone charger. Come to think of it, the phone charger would probably power it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_rm_1970 Posted February 13, 2017 Share Posted February 13, 2017 The above 2 posts are not solutions to everyone, especially the Power Mod since you would either need to send your CV to Yurkie (Not helpful to those of us who live outside the U.S.), or know someone with tech skills. And the F18A, to me, just takes away the "retro" in these classic old machines and makes them look a bit like some emulator running on a modern TV/Monitor. The CRT hides the technical shortcomings of these old machines, while the F18A exposes them. Plus, not everyone want to de-solder their ram. I want to keep mine in it's original form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NIAD Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Modding options are never a be-all-end-all solution for everyone, especially when shipping expenses both ways are factored in, but it's nice to have options. I agree with you considering the F18A, but there are many others that absolutely love it. Funny thing is, I bought one for my Adam, but have decided not to install it and keep the system stock. I might change my mind in the future, especially if there aren't any software compatibility issues that are reported, but for now I can live with the Composite output and sprite flicker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mortari Posted February 22, 2017 Share Posted February 22, 2017 Can one not just use a computer PSU to get the required 12v, 5v and -5v needed? Or am I missing something? Switching power don't hurt. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vectorman Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Can one not just use a computer PSU to get the required 12v, 5v and -5v needed? Or am I missing something? Switching power don't hurt. Yep. If you don't buy someone's special CV/ADAM power supply, how will they make money? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I have parts for 4 power mods if anyone is interested. $50 + return shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ten-four Posted February 24, 2017 Share Posted February 24, 2017 Hi. I used a PC power supply for my ColecoVision from 2010 to 2017 -no problem. I now trying another power supply from China. This is an: Min Dong MD-9916A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H454 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 (edited) AT spec power supply have -12 and -5 with a hard on off switch. ATX BEFORE 1.2 revision have -5V(pin 18 white wire), but have been made for about 10 years. Need to wire jumper switch for power. I know this from apple IIgs power supply projects, but i never did because I didn't want a huge psu sitting next to it. Note: if you look for these psu for projects - good luck - there hard to find for cheap. Try used computer palaces. Edited March 1, 2017 by H454 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jess Ragan Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 Hi. I used a PC power supply for my ColecoVision from 2010 to 2017 -no problem. pc-power-for-colecovision-2010.jpg I now trying another power supply from China. This is an: Min Dong MD-9916A. arcade-power-for-cv.jpg That's neat, but... uh, you didn't just add woodgrain to your ColecoVision, did you? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonie Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 My CL CV came without a working PWS. I just hacked the cord onto an old PC power supply. It has all the voltages you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ten-four Posted March 4, 2017 Share Posted March 4, 2017 That's neat, but... uh, you didn't just add woodgrain to your ColecoVision, did you? Well, then you'll "have to go back, way back, back to the troglodyte". No not that far, but it was something that was inspired from the old VCS 2600 and IntelliVision. So I think in that time around 1984 ColecoVision also need this. By the way, it is self-adhesive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WispFollower Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 My CV power supply has had some issues over the last few years, or at least I have come to believe it's the culprit. I have an rgb mod which I use with the xrgb miniframemeister, and sometimes the fantastic colors can be muted, dark, or just wrong. Wiggling the power cable where it connects into the CV can help or cause it to shut off altogether. I have seen power supplies sold online claiming to work for multiple systems, but have been nervous to try them for years, worrying about the fragility of my modded system. Can anyone chime in about newly made power supplies, or should I just send my CV back in to get the $50 power mod? I've been putting off a solution to this for a while since my system still works, but it can make me sad sometimes to see my CV, which I have put decent money into, not perform as well as it should. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradhig1 Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 My CV power supply has had some issues over the last few years, or at least I have come to believe it's the culprit. I have an rgb mod which I use with the xrgb miniframemeister, and sometimes the fantastic colors can be muted, dark, or just wrong. Wiggling the power cable where it connects into the CV can help or cause it to shut off altogether. I have seen power supplies sold online claiming to work for multiple systems, but have been nervous to try them for years, worrying about the fragility of my modded system. Can anyone chime in about newly made power supplies, or should I just send my CV back in to get the $50 power mod? I've been putting off a solution to this for a while since my system still works, but it can make me sad sometimes to see my CV, which I have put decent money into, not perform as well as it should. I have the same issues and I am on my second power supply. If you think Colecovision power supplies are bad Commodore 64 power supplies can kill a Commodore 64 because the voltage outage suddenly goes bad and they can't be fixed because the components are covered in epoxy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rey Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I think Bmack also does these mods and I've done the power mods for both the coleco and the adam. I am not able to do any kind of mods right now but between Yurkie and Bmack you'll be set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonie Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Looking at this one. Anyone know the definitive current capabilities needed? http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/RT-50A/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMt24PW2WNEtLx0fkH8QuiAx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DHos Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 Looking at this one. Anyone know the definitive current capabilities needed? http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Mean-Well/RT-50A/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMt24PW2WNEtLx0fkH8QuiAx THis looks like a good fix that could even fit inside the console, is there an issue with this component? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonie Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 I just got them today, so I'll let you know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rey Posted July 4, 2017 Share Posted July 4, 2017 THis looks like a good fix that could even fit inside the console, is there an issue with this component? I don't think so. Take a look at the dimensions of this supply under specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shabazz18 Posted July 12, 2017 Share Posted July 12, 2017 (edited) I just rebuilt my original. New caps and regulators. Pretty easy fix if you have basic soldering skills. I'm still pretty new at it. Console5.com has a kit that includes everything for like 7 bucks for both the power supply and console, although I didn't cap the console or change the chips inside the PS. Edited July 12, 2017 by shabazz18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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