Atari 2600 (sears Video arcade II)console not working right.

[mvsfan]

Its actually A Sears Video Arcade II system i picked up for $20. I can start the game and it plays and i can kind of make out missle command, but the whole screen has a green tint to it.




I was thinking about putting an 2600RGB in it but i need to fix this issue first.
is there a particular chip or component thats bad that could cause this?

I tried bypassing the RF box with a comosite jack i soldered in but the picture still shows up the same way in composite.

ive never had to fix one of these before.

[ApolloBoy]

Have you tried checking voltages yet? I've worked on one of these before, it's really not too different than a regular 2600.

[mvsfan]

no i havent got into it much. i just got it today.

also the select switch doesnt seem to work. I havent tested it yet though.

[mvsfan]

The Output on the voltage regulator is 6.4v.

Im using an known good Nes power supply with it.

[ApolloBoy]

The Output on the voltage regulator is 6.4v.

Im using an known good Nes power supply with it.

That's pretty high, you could try replacing the 7805 first.

[mvsfan]

I replaced the voltage regulator. no luck its still doing the same thing. Although i did switch to space invaders and i cant see the game at all under the green, but i can hear it running.

apparently the system is mostly functioning but theres something wrong with the video.

since everything is socketed My next step would be to swap chips one at a time from my 4 switch 2600, except i cant find it. i havent seen it since before i moved.

[mickcris]

The Output on the voltage regulator is 6.4v.

Im using an known good Nes power supply with it.

You aren't using an original NES supply are you? Those are AC not DC.

[zakruowrath]

You could always check the capacitors being they are getting close to 35 years old.

Also Isn't there a pot somewhere that controls something with the TIA?

The Output on the voltage regulator is 6.4v.

Im using an known good Nes power supply with it.

You aren't using an original NES supply are you? Those are AC not DC.

That could explain the wavy video, I would think the voltage regulator would blow thou if it was fed AC instead of DC, friends MegaDrive did that, it stunk horribly

[mickcris]

nevermind. oddly it uses AC. I thought the NES was the only system that used one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/141290200685

but I would try a Genesis 1 supply and see if there are different results.

[mvsfan]

yeah it uses AC. i found that a bit odd too. most consoles have dc power supplies.

[mvsfan]

i might try adjusting that pot and see if the green goes away.

But Im thinking that it wont, unless someone else "adjusted" it before i got the system.

i dont have any of those big caps on hand.

[mvsfan]

Well, I found the 2600 today, and i swapped the TIA into the Sears arcade II

it went from this.



To this.



...and it works Great. Theres nothing wrong at all. its in attract mode.

Here is the system.



now I just need another TIA to put back in the 2600.

[CkRtech]

You could probably get it from these guys - http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/2600 ... .htm#based

[mvsfan]

I just ran across best when i was searching for one. they have tias in stock for $11.50.

thanks.

[CkRtech]

I bought a bunch of parts from them circa 2008. They are definitely well-known in the Atari community.

[Guspaz]

That's... a very mid-90s website.

[zakruowrath]

That's... a very mid-90s website.

Yea it is, if I was a web developer I'd create an up to date website for them, just all the code bleh

Well, I found the 2600 today, and i swapped the TIA into the Sears arcade II

it went from this.



To this.



...and it works Great. Theres nothing wrong at all. its in attract mode.

Here is the system.



now I just need another TIA to put back in the 2600.

So glad to see you fixed it, so TIA's can go bad, nice to know

[mvsfan]

Im just glad i fixed it. this is a semi hard to find console, and I liked the look of the 7800 as well as all of the leds that this console has. Im planning on replacing them with Blue and Green Leds.

Main difference between this and the 7800 besides not playing 7800 games is that I can use a 2600RGB In this one.

Im also planning on running the cables out the bottom where the original one was so that this could easily be put back to stock if someone wanted to.

Also, I did not find any service info for this one. The closest i got was the service info over at console5 for the 2600.

This console extra chips at the bottom that the standard 2600 doesnt have. I guess they control the Led and switch system that this one has.

[CkRtech]

Main difference between this and the 7800 besides not playing 7800 games is that I can use a 2600RGB In this one.

Im also planning on running the cables out the bottom where the original one was so that this could easily be put back to stock if someone wanted to.

I am interesting in seeing how this system turns out if you proceed with the 2600RGB with a noninvasive install.

[zakruowrath]

Main difference between this and the 7800 besides not playing 7800 games is that I can use a 2600RGB In this one.

Im also planning on running the cables out the bottom where the original one was so that this could easily be put back to stock if someone wanted to.

I am interesting in seeing how this system turns out if you proceed with the 2600RGB with a noninvasive install.

Same here, I wanted my Vader 2600 to have a SCART cable running out of where the RF cord used to be, now I'm considering getting the Sears Video Arcade II since it does have a nice aesthetic look to it

[mvsfan]

I bought a TIA from Arcadecomponents.com today. it ended up costing me $15.49 with shipping.

not bad.

[mvsfan]

I got the Tia today and put the 2600 back together. It works good again.

I also put the top cover back on the sears arcade II.

[vasteel_original]

I know its been a year now but did you ever attempt the RGB mod on your Sears Video Arcade 2? I was considering doing the same thing...

[mvsfan]

yeah, I did do the sears arcade, Eventually. It works great. Heres whats different from the other instructions that Tim provides.

to prepare the motherboard and get the 2600 RGB to fit, your going to take out the orange coil, Lay the Crystal on Its Side and solder it back in, and replace the Big green capacitor with the small yellow one that comes with the kit. Nothing else needs to be done, it will now fit.

I also noticed that the 2600 RGB Will fit in the TIA socket, and Clear everything without any of Tims adapters. No adapter is needed. you can Build the 2600RGB Board according to Tims NTSC Instructions and put it in the Console. You can also use the Chip sockets in the KIT, they will fit and clear everything.

This console has a Decent Size heatsink In it. I Believe you could leave the original Voltage regulator be in this console, or you could replace it with the switching one in the kit. Ive been testing mine for a few days now and it seems Fine.

This console has 4 control ports. For the Remote Reset and palette controls, you want to hook the kit up to Control Port 1, and Select and reset buttons.

Theres a certain way i Ran the Wires and Ribbon cable, to Avoid the switches and the possibility of the console not closing. If you run them close to that, it will close fine.





I guess thats About it.

Btw, what does that Potentiometer in the top left corner Do?

[mvsfan]

I havent quite worked out where to put that video connector yet. Ill probably take it out and run a cable out the original RF spot like I was originally going to do.

It doesnt quite fit in the top left corner where I have it now so i havent mounted it yet.

[vasteel_original]

Oh the irony, I literally just finished my S-Video mod for my Sears Video Arcade 2 this morning when I got the email regarding your post on this thread. After talking to Tim I gave up on my RGB mod for this as he said there probably would not be enough space but he didn't know for sure. That all said I am glad to hear this actually does work! I might still try this mod. My soldering ninja skills have leveled up quite a bit after this S-Video mod and I am eager to start my third mod (NES RGB or HiDef NES). Considering I barely have any understanding of circuity (I rely on lots o' pictures online) I figure if I can pull off a RGB mod on a NES then I can do anything This stuff is so much fun to do! I think I like it more than actually playing the games.

[ApolloBoy]

Btw, what does that Potentiometer in the top left corner Do?

That's normally for the tint adjustment but it's pointless now with the 2600RGB.

[mvsfan]

Sounds like i can take it out then. Good. Ill put my video connector there.

[mvsfan]

You can consider this project done.

one thing i wanted to add though, for people who would like to use a gamepad, The extra buton as well as the Diode board for the controller, will fit in a master system controller with the wire that comes out the top, if you put it within a half inch or so of the wire.

thats what i did and it works great.

[mvsfan]

Does anyone know how to get 2 different color LEDS to be the same Brightness?

Im thinking about using Blue and Green leds in the Atari, For the difficulty level buttons.

But unlike my Saturn which ive never really been happy with because the leds are NOT the same brightness,

I want to do this one right (and then fix the saturn too.)