The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Consoles => Topic started by: jasonbar on September 14, 2009, 02:39:44 am
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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
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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...
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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.
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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
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Oh nice, I'll read up on that, I have a shelf of Vectrexes here that still buzz a little bit. :cheers:
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Ehh, blocked at work. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out when I get home. :cheers:
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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
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What are you doing with the beat Vec? They make good monitors for ZVGs.
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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
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A vectrex guy without a ZVG (http://www.zektor.com/zvg/ZVG.html)! My man, you need one!
:cheers:
(http://www.zektor.com/images/vstarwars_s.jpg)
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Too bad it's out of stock... :'(
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Dang, that's cool!!!
But I'd never use it, so I'm not sad that it's out of stock. :]
Thanks,
-Jason