New mod by Arcade Works permanently replaces NES ZIF socket

[BazookaBen]

So with the latest update from the Kickstarter page, I'm allowing myself to get hyped and make a thread about "Blinking Light Win" from Arcade Works:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/11 ... ts/1214335

Overview video showing how easy it is to install:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iGRN-Q8kKU

It basically gives the front-loading NES the same sort of connector as a top-loader. No more springs, no more ZIF socket. Apparently this has been iterated multiple times to have the best level of friction when inserting/removing carts. If this works as advertised, you will never need to replace your cartridge connector again.

This should also allow those of us with Famicom converters to use oversized carts. The creators are developing their own Famicom converter as well for those of you who haven't hacked an old copy of Gyromite or Excitebike yet.

Here's the store page. Back ordered at the moment, and they're doing some thorough QA on the first hundred or so units, so it may be a while for non-kickstarter backers to get their hands on it.

http://www.arcadeworks.net/hardware/blw.html

I hope they change name

[CkRtech]

All of the media makes it look really awesome. I replaced my connector circa ...eeeh. 1999? 2001? The replacement definitely has the deathgrip. It has lasted me, but I would like a more universal solution. I wondered if someone would attempt something like this after seeing some of the work Ben Heck did a few years ago - I believe he glued a 5.25" floppy drive ribbon cable's plug to the back of the cart tray.

Hopefully it is really easy to insert/remove (video made it seem that way - at least with the top cover off) and the longevity will cause it to eventually be a no-brainer NES mod for all toaster fans.

[BONKERS]

I was in for 2 with the kickstarter. I am eagerly awaiting my package!

[Einzelherz]

All of the media makes it look really awesome. I replaced my connector circa ...eeeh. 1999? 2001? The replacement definitely has the deathgrip. It has lasted me, but I would like a more universal solution. I wondered if someone would attempt something like this after seeing some of the work Ben Heck did a few years ago - I believe he glued a 5.25" floppy drive ribbon cable's plug to the back of the cart tray.

Hopefully it is really easy to insert/remove (video made it seem that way - at least with the top cover off) and the longevity will cause it to eventually be a no-brainer NES mod for all toaster fans.

I talked to them about this on digitpress and their response was that the main concern in its design was that the removal be as easy as possible due to the lack of purchase you get on the cartridge with a front loader.

[ApolloBoy]

due to the lack of purchase

???

[Xan]

Hopefully it is really easy to insert/remove (video made it seem that way - at least with the top cover off) and the longevity will cause it to eventually be a no-brainer NES mod for all toaster fans.

It's not much of a toaster anymore after doing this mod, now is it?

But really, I could see how the lack of pushing down on the game wouldn't appeal to some purists. There aren't many alternatives though... the replacement connectors are fine for an Everdrive and fixed the lockup issues for me, but aren't suited at all for real carts. It's either this or refurbishing the original connector, which sounds a bit tedious. Cutting the CIC chip also never seemed like a good idea to me.

[CkRtech]

Well, if I could go back in time and keep my original connector...I guess I would just boil it and be done.

[bobrocks95]

My replacement cartridge connector doesn't work when I push the cart down anyways. Wish I had known about this kickstarter sooner, thanks!

[Ed Oscuro]

due to the lack of purchase

???

Synonym for "leverage" or "surface area."

[RocketKnight]

Although it's a little bit off topic, I would like to put my question here, because it doesn't deserve an own thread.

Since I don't want to mod my original toaster NES, I recently bought a second one for the NESRGB mod. Unfortunately, its LED blinks and the screen switches between black and grey, so the cartridge connector doesn't detect the (clean) games correctly anymore. Neither cleaning it with contact spray and a tooth brush nor slightly bending up the pins did help.

Since I want to keep the original ZIF socket, I would like to know whether there is something else I can do to get the connector working again. If not, is there any replacement connector of good quality that will last reasonably long and doesn't damage the cartridge boards? Should I look for a certain producer or seller?

I would be glad, if someone could help me with that.

[bobrocks95]

There's a guide posted earlier in the thread, that should do it. People also boil them on a stove to clean them, though I don't know the exact science of it.

On topic, did anybody ever get one of these? Do they have a good grip that's not too tight?

[BONKERS]

Either, boil it (It on it's own will only do so much. You WILL likely have to still bend a lot of the pins up to make proper contact. I had mine set for a while where games worked better without being toggled down).

Or buy a BLW when more are available.

I've got two, but I haven't used either of them.

[RocketKnight]

Thanks for the boiling tip! It really worked! I couldn't believe boiling it could remove the dirt even better than a contact spray but voilà...

[BazookaBen]

My BLW finally came in, and it works great! I can totally drum on the top of my NES without the game resetting or freezing. It used to freeze if just sneezed near it. The guy recently revised it to not grip so tightly, so games are pretty easy to get out. Highly recommended.

I think the guy is all caught up on orders now, too, so wait time shouldn't be bad at all now.

[leonk]

Is it true that it has the grip of death on the cart as shown in many YouTube videos?

[Voultar]

The grip is terrible. You better have the hand of Darth Vader if you ever intend on removing a Tengen cart from the Toaster.

Or a pair of channel locks, that'll do it, too..

[BazookaBen]

No, the grip is fine now, they've released a second revision.

And for kickstarter backers thought bought the original version with the insane grip, they're offering exchanges:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/11 ... ts/1398560

[the_crayon_king]

30 bucks is way too much IMHO. The 15-20$ range would be much more appropriate.
You can get the same results by the aforementioned boiling and bending. [I recommend bending with a needle or a thumbtack.]
If you bend enough you can get the cart to work in the up position for a good while and it will cost you nothing.
Between bending/cleaning the 72 pins and disabling the lockout chip will fix 90% of issues on the nes.
Capacitors and 7805 replacement fixing most of the other problems.

On the rarest of occasions the PPU or CPU will go bad but that's pretty much all I have seen so far in the process of modding 30 plus NES toasters.

[BazookaBen]

I think $30 is a good deal, and this is a way more elegant solution than boiling and arduously bending 72 pins with a flat head jewelers screw driver.

[CkRtech]

30 bucks is way too much IMHO. The 15-20$ range would be much more appropriate.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Apparently MCM still sells the connector I bought 17 years ago. It has a tight grip, but hasn't given me issues. $13. http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/D ... O-/83-3785

[Guspaz]

I think $30 is a good deal, and this is a way more elegant solution than boiling and arduously bending 72 pins with a flat head jewelers screw driver.

It took me 5 minutes of bending and then the boiling to restore the 72-pin connector on my NES to go from working 0% of the time to working 95% time, and unlike the BLW, I can still depress the cartridge normally. I wouldn't take a Blinking Light Win even if it was free, since it destroys such a iconic aspect of the NES.

If you don't want to use the ZIF socket like it's meant to be used, you can just get a toploader.

[BazookaBen]

30 bucks is way too much IMHO. The 15-20$ range would be much more appropriate.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Apparently MCM still sells the connector I bought 17 years ago. It has a tight grip, but hasn't given me issues. $13. http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/D ... O-/83-3785

I bought a 3rd party ZIF like this years ago and it wore out after a couple years. Apparently you're not supposed to leave them in the down position when you're not playing? Or maybe some are better quality than others. It's definitely a hassle to have to remember release the cartridge every time you're done playing.

Anyway, in my mind, the BLW is way better than shelling out whatever the toploader goes for on ebay (which I would have to mod for composite video). It works so flawlessly, and should last decades like sockets in most other cartridge-based systems

[Taiyaki]

Have that many people encountered this blinking light issue? I still have a front loader, taken great care of it and it's worked flawlessly since birth. Great kickstarter though for those who have had issues with this.

[bobrocks95]

It's true what they say- the Game Genie absolutely wrecked my cartridge connector over the years. As I said several months ago, the replacement connector I bought requires you to not push it down anyway. I went through so much of my childhood popping carts in and out and blowing on them that I wouldn't call pushing the cart down iconic, more like PTSD-inducing. I'll probably get one of these.

[leonk]

Not sure why someone ^^^ blamed the 7805. Replacing it might be required only if you do serious modifications to the console.

That being said, the best solution for me is to play on my top loader.

If you prefer the astetics of the front loader, then there is a small advantage of BLW over boiling: full size famicom carts with adapter will fit and play. They don't on standard connector (Lagrange Point, Just Breed, etc)

[mvsfan]

I backed the kickstarter for 2. This is way better than messing around with an original 72 pin connector.

I have no nostaliga at all for pushing the game down. none.
I remember spending more time messing with the nes than actually playing games.

when the genesis came out it was a relief to not have to mess with it.

The first revision of the BLW was way too grippy. not only that but i couldnt get my fingers underneath the cart to get it out. Arcadeworks realized that after seeing the complaints, and they have come out with another revision thats not grippy.

the second revision should be fine. I havent got mine yet though.

this is an excellent product that fixes everything that was wrong with the nes.

Im really surprised someone didnt come out with this sooner.

I want to buy some more of them.

[leonk]

I'd be interested to hear from someone that actually has V2 about the grip.

For the last few front loaders I've restored, I've been buying refurbished original 72 pin connectors from eBay. They're cheap ($10 I believe) but the guy does a really good job. Not only are the pins nice and tight like new again, but he also polishes them; removing all the grime.

And yes.. they are original. I know how to tell the difference between nintendo made and 3rd party made.

[BazookaBen]

Mine is V2, the grip is basically as good as it can be. It's tight enough that you know it's not going anywhere, but still easy to pull out carts. The fact that I can now drum my fingers on the top of the system without games freezing/resetting blows my mind.

[BONKERS]

Even if you have V1, you can't go wrong with the BLW.

[mvsfan]

they just started an exchange program on these. If kickstarter people have a V1 blw they will exchange it for v.2.