Who hates their ColecoVision On/Off Switch?

[doubledown]

"Does anybody know how to fix an on/off switch for a ColecoVision. Sometimes I get garbled graphics, but when I wiggle the switch it is fine for a moment."

 

Have you ever thought this? Can you re-build your ColecoVision's switch only to have to re-build it within a couple of months.

 

Well I DoubleDown have replacement switches for your ColecoVision Arcade Quality Video Game Console. Instead of a slide switch for the ON/OFF switch I have replaced it with a lighted Push Button switch, and the Reset switch has been replaced with a matching monentary Push Button Switch. The power switch can be lighted like I have used or black to match the Reset Switch. The lighted power switch is available in Red, Amber, Yellow, Green, Blue, or White.

 

Let me know what you think.

 

Overview of the Console:

 

Up-Close with Power Light off:

 

Up-Close with Power Light on:

 

Up-Close with Dust/Splash Boots installed and Light off:

 

Up-Close with Dust/Splash Boots installed and Light on:

[CPUWIZ]

Nice.

[diggs130]

I like it,whats the $ of that going to be?

[SimonTemplar]

I`d also be interested in those

[doubledown]

It depends on if you wanted a lighted power switch or not.

 

With a lighted power switch they're going to be $50.00 installed. With just a black non-lighted power switch they're going to be $45.00 installed. Those prices include the splash/dust boot which is removable per user preference. I know they definately seem pricey, but the switches are very high quality and are rated for over 1,000,000 cycles. Not to mention how hard it is to find a good looking switch that will fill/cover the existing switch holes in the top half of the console.

[+RangerG]

Looking good!

[Albert]

Those look great! Although I think I like them better without the plastic covers. Do those covers just pop off?

 

..Al

[doubledown]

Those look great!  Although I think I like them better without the plastic covers.  Do those covers just pop off?

 

..Al

884847[/snapback]

 

Yeah, they're just clear rubber splash/dust covers. They just pop into the black rubber mounting frame around the switch base. But the rubber mounting frames need to be there to cover up the original holes. The switches are the perfect width for the holes, but aren't quite long enough. So with the rubber mounting frames they completely cover the holes, and look pretty snazzy if I do say so myself.

[jetset]

Um...maybe a dumb question, but is the price to have the switch(es) installed on a CV we ship to you, or is that the price for the whole thing, system and all ?

Edited July 2, 2005 by jetset

[Bruce Tomlin]

Spiffy.

 

FWIW, the one I rebuilt four or so years ago is just fine. You have to re-pack them with grease to keep them from oxidizing all over again.

 

I really want to try a small-case mod someday.

[frank_c]

With a lighted power switch they're going to be $50.00 installed.  With just a black non-lighted power switch they're going to be $45.00 installed. 

884827[/snapback]

 

how much uninstalled?

[omne]

Pretty neat!

 

I'm a bit of a purist myself. I only like custom LED's on my consoles that *vanish* when powered off, like the ones I put into NEO GEO reset switches. When off, everything looks factory.

 

That said, your solution is really quite unobtrusive. Is it mounted to the shell, or to the PCB?

 

When I rebuild switches, they seem to last a very long time. However, re-assembly is an exact science. The original switch has very low tolerance for pressure from the shell. All in all, the original is not a great design.

 

Time to go pushbutton DPDT switch shopping at the local shop. Good idea! Maybe I can find a black, lit rocker type. Something close enough to original to satisfy my fussy purist tastes.

[doubledown]

Um...maybe a dumb question, but is the price to have the switch(es) installed on a CV we ship to you, or is that the price for the whole thing, system and all ?

884905[/snapback]

 

That is the price for them installed on a console sent to me.

 

Spiffy.

 

FWIW, the one I rebuilt four or so years ago is just fine.  You have to re-pack them with grease to keep them from oxidizing all over again.

 

I really want to try a small-case mod someday.

884923[/snapback]

 

I never re-pack them with di-electric grease. All it does is attract more dust and dirt. Just condition the contacts and you'll be fine.

 

With a lighted power switch they're going to be $50.00 installed.  With just a black non-lighted power switch they're going to be $45.00 installed. 

884827[/snapback]

 

how much uninstalled?

884944[/snapback]

 

My cost is $32.00 for a set of 1 lighted power switch, 1 reset switch and the splash/dirt boots.

 

Pretty neat!

 

I'm a bit of a purist myself. I only like custom LED's on my consoles that *vanish* when powered off, like the ones I put into NEO GEO reset switches. When off, everything looks factory.

 

That said, your solution is really quite unobtrusive.  Is it mounted to the shell, or to the PCB?

 

When I rebuild switches, they seem to last a very long time. However, re-assembly is an exact science. The original switch has very low tolerance for pressure from the shell. All in all, the original is not a great design.

 

Time to go pushbutton DPDT switch shopping at the local shop. Good idea! Maybe I can find a black, lit rocker type. Something close enough to original to satisfy my fussy purist tastes. 

884954[/snapback]

 

The switches are mounted to the console and wired to the PCB.

[Bruce Tomlin]

I never re-pack them with di-electric grease.  All it does is attract more dust and dirt.  Just condition the contacts and you'll be fine.

I took mine apart last year to see what it looked like after a few years, and it was just fine. Are you sure it attracts dust and dirt? How do you know? Did you take one apart a couple of years later like I did?

[doubledown]

Make an area on a test table or floor. Put a grease on one spot, and nothing on the other. See which one attracts more dust or dirt over the duration of the experiment.

 

It all depends on the environment that it's in too. Buy one new, play with it for a few years, put it away in a garage or basement or attic for 10-15 years and see how it looks. Or buy one, refurbish it and keep it in a clean living area and see the difference.

Edited July 3, 2005 by doubledown

[Vic George 2K3]

Pretty good modification idea.

[yuppicide]

You know I kept passing this thread by on purpose. Decided to finally stop in and I must say "Wow!". Good looking mod! I wish I had a Colecovision!

[doubledown]

You know I kept passing this thread by on purpose. Decided to finally stop in and I must say "Wow!". Good looking mod! I wish I had a Colecovision!

885384[/snapback]

 

I've got about 30 if you wanna pick one up.