Vectrex: weird behavior w/ 3D Glasses & VecVox

[jasonbar]

Howdy-


I have 2 Vectrexes:

#1 - nice case, nice monitor, nice text, buzz-quieting fix, poor VecVox & 3D performance

#2 - beat case, wiggly vectors, slightly slanted text, buzzy, excellent VecVox & 3D performance


I've had #1 for quite a while & done some work on it.  Just got #2 on craigslist on Thursday.

The VecVox & aftermarket Madtronix 3D glasses (not the original Vectrex model) use controller port 2.  There seems to be some synching problem with Vectrex #1, which manifests as the VecVox voices being quite unintelligible & only 3D Minestorm working (3D Crazy Coaster & 3D Narrow Escape don't run--they use a wheel different from 3D Minestorm's, by the way).  These items all work fine on Vectrex #2.


On Vectrex #1, I've recently swapped all of the capacitors that lead to the controller ports, & I also swapped the AY-3-8912 sound & I/O chip (to fix a phantom stuck button problem).


I'd really like to get these items working on Vetrex #1 & then I can sell/trade Vectrex #2.


Any ideas on how to tackle this fix?  The only thought I had was to swap all socketed chips, but that's really grasping at straws.  I've already reflowed the solder on every single darn joint on Vectrex #1 (to chase down a monitor horizontal sync issue).


Thanks,
-Jason

[HaRuMaN]

Hmm...  I don't have any info on your problem, but could you share your buzz-quieting fix?  I have a Vectrex, and I'd like to eliminate that buzz...

[ChadTower]

Google it, the buzz is a sound grounding flaw.  You'll find it.

Wish I could help on the jasonbar's problem but I don't have the VecVox or recent 3D glasses.  I only have the original goggles.

[jasonbar]

2nd link from the bottom at this page: http://www.playvectrex.com/vectech_f.htm

Works great.  Not hard.


It's actually not a grounding fix--I tried the cut-the-ground-wire buzz fix & it didn't work.  This fix that I used has a preamp to increase the signal to noise ratio.  The bottom link on that page discusses some grounding/shielding/antenna/feedback etc theory behind the buzz.


Thanks,
-Jason

[ChadTower]

Oh nice, I'll read up on that, I have a shelf of Vectrexes here that still buzz a little bit.   

[HaRuMaN]

Ehh, blocked at work.  Thanks for the link, I'll check it out when I get home.   

[jasonbar]

Fixed!

Swapped the AY-3-8912 Sound & I/O chip.

Oddly, the brand new one that I got in January was not working properly, but the original one from the other Vectrex was working fine.  Wonder if the chip design changed in the last 20+ years...?

-Jason

[ChadTower]

What are you doing with the beat Vec?  They make good monitors for ZVGs.

[jasonbar]

I'm not sure what a ZVG is.

The beat-ness of the spare Vectrex was exaggerated.

It plays & works fine.  I took apart the controller & wound a new torsion spring for up/down self-centering out of a piece of .0185" wire, I cleaned the buttons, I machined a new bat handle for the stick, & I cleaned it up.

It'll be available for trade/sale shortly.

Thanks,
-J

[ChadTower]

A vectrex guy without a ZVG!  My man, you need one!

 

[HaRuMaN]

Too bad it's out of stock...   

[jasonbar]

Dang, that's cool!!!

But I'd never use it, so I'm not sad that it's out of stock.  :]

Thanks,
-Jason