Latest Images

Modded Colecovision, my first Pause mod installed

Tue, 06 May 2014 02:28:31 +0000

This Colecovision has 5 mods:

1) Yurkie's AV mod

2) Heavy Duty Rocker power switch

3) Pause Mod

4) Red ON indicator LED

5) Custom Reset button

I'm going to take a break from this and see if I can figure out the Speed boost switch mod.

Colecovision ON/OFF indicator

Sat, 19 Apr 2014 14:55:55 +0000

This is an alternate and I think best indicator I've used so far. It is Radio Shack part #276-0068. It comes in a pack of 2 and is called Subminiature Red LED Assembly. My camera's flash drowns out the brightness, but it is plenty bright.

Colecovision Red power switch LED indicator 3/3

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:59:18 +0000

My camera doesn't do the brightness of the led justice. I figured it makes more sense to put the led right beside the word "ON" instead of the left side of the switch like most mods have. I chose a red color LED to match the color of the Power switch.

Colecovision Red power switch LED indicator 2/3

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:58:54 +0000

Colecovision Red power switch LED indicator 1/3

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:58:33 +0000

Colecovision ON/OFF indicator LED or Power Switch LED

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 17:32:27 +0000

When the Colecovision is OFF but plugged in, it still draws power. This can be a problem if you have an illuminated Switch you want to install in place of the old Power switch. The problem is that the led will stay on even when the switch is turned off. The location indicated in this picture near the expansion slot seems to be a good point to use for a led (remember to use the correct resistor with the led or it might burn out).

Power switch mod wiring 2/2

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:09:32 +0000

I actually now use 16 gauge threaded wires for this mod. They are stronger and actually more flexible than these smaller wires.

Power switch mod wiring 1/2

Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:09:13 +0000

I actually now use 16 gauge threaded wires for this mod. They are stronger and actually more flexible than these smaller wires.

Colecovision Fire Button Fix Mod

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 13:35:26 +0000

If all else fails with your Colecovision Fire button and it still won't work, try this way out. I thought of the idea at 2 in the morning!

Assuming you have already opened your controller:

1) Solder a wire to the board 3rd pin in under the button's switch.

2) Make an aluminum foil sandwich with the wire in the middle using super glue (foil / wire in middle / foil).

3) Glue foil to the inside of the button so it covers the hole.

4) Puncture the hole in the foil with a needle or paperclip. Test to see that the button slides like normal.

NOTE: Make sure the wire you use is a threaded wire (not solid) and that you give it some slack by putting some inside of the button.

Try it out and let me know if it works for you.

Colecovision Controller Fire Button Mod / Fix (2 of 2) (NOTE: I have a newer fix using aluminum foil instead)

Sat, 29 Mar 2014 23:43:49 +0000

(NOTE: I have a newer fix using aluminum foil instead)

http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/image/10312-colecovision-fire-button-fix-mod/

My right fire button would not work on my Colecovision controller. I flipped the board of the controller over and, during a game of Mr.Do's Castle, I touched a wire to 2 points under the switch to see if it activated the fire button. It did!!! That means the wires and board are fine, but the switch is messed up.

I heard that this type of switch can get dirty and you may have to de-solder the switch, pry the metal that holds it together back, clean the switch and re-pry the metal things back and re-solder the switch together just to get it to work.....That is way too much for a switch that my stop working again in another 3 years.

My Controller Mod/Fix:

1) Find a piece of metal that won't get in the way of the little black square piece that holds the grey plastic button on.

2) Solder a piece of wire to the piece of metal. Make sure the wire has some slack so it be tucked into the button a bit. (use skinny threaded wire) Test to make sure the wire you are going to use is small enough so it doesn't get smooshed when the button is pressed.

3) Hot glue the metal to the inside of the plastic button so that you don't cover the hole for the black square piece (so the grey button can still go on fine). My piece of metal wasn't the best choice....it would be best if you find a piece that goes all the way across the inside of the grey button to keep it even when pressed. You could just glue the wire itself on, but I'm not that great with hot glue as you can see from the pics.

4) Finally, solder the other end of the wire to the back of the controller board under the switch. It should be the 3rd pin towards the middle of the board. (see pic 2 of 2)

Put it all back together and try it out. Surprisingly, the Box of the switch itself can be touched with the metal and complete the switch. I thought I would have had to solder 2 wires, but nope, just 1.