How to make AA Cartridge boards fit into Coleco and Imagic cases. (Instructions)

[PacManPlus]

Hi:

 

Just thought I'd share what I found out about Imagic and Coleco cases. You can put the AA Cartridge boards in them, with a little modification to the cases themselves (not to the boards). Everything involves removal of plastic. Nothing to be added.

 

The Imagic cart case is easier, just for the fact that the two screw posts act as the anchor that holds the cart board in place. This is not the case for the Coleco case.

 

 

I will start with the Imagic case.

1) Once you have removed the label, taken out the two screws, and removed the original board, remove the dust cover opener like you see in picture 1.

2) There is a short 'wall' of plastic between the two screw posts (See the large white circle in picture 1). Remove it, as it interferes with the Bank Switching chip on the opposite side of the eprom. (I have used pliers - doesn't need to be pretty)

3) The two smaller white circles in picture 2 show (hopefully) where the front wall of plastic needs to be shortened. That area where the Cartridge board rests needs to be widened, the AA boards are wider in that spot than the Imagic boards. They need to be shortened up to the perpendicular walls come out from the screw posts (shown by the teal circles in picture 2).

4) Finally, there is a capacitor on the AA board that just so happens to be exactly where that front wall is (see the large white circle in picture 2). So, you must remove a small part of the front wall in order for the board to lay flat (you will see what I mean when yo do this).

5) The AA board's notches on either side fit perfectly in between the two screw posts, locking it into place. Don't forget to put back the dust cover opener!

6) The last thing to do is to the top part of the case. The solder points of the capacitor mentioned in step 4 interfere with the top resting comfortably on the board. Remove the two little pieces of the wall as shown by the teal circle in picture 3.

 

That should be it!

 

Next post will cover the Coleco Cases.

Edited June 24, 2006 by PacManPlus

[PacManPlus]

Ok - Coleco Cases. This one is slightly tougher. You need a screwdriver, and possibly a hammer

 

1) After removing the label, and the screws, and the original circuit board, remove the plastic wall, or plastic circles (depending on the revision of the case) as shown by the red circle in picture 1.

2) Also, if you look closely at picture 1 at the far screw post, you will see a red out line of where the notch should be left in the case. The 'notch' in the case is normally much larger, so it must be shortened to fit in the notch on the AA board. I used a screwdriver and a hammer to chisel out the rest of the plastic. PLEASE BE CAREFUL!.

3) Picture 2, the opposite screwpost. Again, look closely and see the red outline. This notch can be a little bigger as it is more lined up with the notch on the AA board.

4) Picture 3, the front view. Red circles show the modifications to the board. Please note that fitting the board in this case will be VERY snug (because you have to basically bypass the screwposts), so be careful not to break the board or the case. I try to put one side in, and the push down on the other side.

 

Have Fun!

 

Bob

[Albert]

Awesome pictures and writeup, thanks! Do you mind if I create a page using them that I can link to from our store?

 

..Al

[PacManPlus]

By all means - go right ahead

 

 

I also figured I should include some pictures of the boards fitting inside the case, for reference:

*NOTE - I have sockets shown in the pictures below, but the cases WILL NOT CLOSE if you use sockets.

Edited June 24, 2006 by PacManPlus

[Albert]

By all means - go right ahead

Thanks!

 

I also figured I should include some pictures of the boards fitting inside the case, for reference:

*NOTE - I have sockets shown in the pictures below, but the cases WILL NOT CLOSE if you use sockets.

The pics look great. Btw, what's the mod you did to the board sitting in the Coleco case?

 

..Al

[PacManPlus]

lol

 

It was my first attempt at a SARA add on. That one didn't work, but at least it was reversable where I could use the board again. I didn't feel like fishing that wire out from underneath the socket, so I just cut it.

 

My second attempt did work, but it was WAY too time consuming to do again.

 

Bob

Edited June 24, 2006 by PacManPlus