[Vectrex controller repair]

Dear fdeschape01,

 

Can you describe exactly what is wrong with the controller?

The vectrex controller is in most of the times repairable.

Dirty contact give problems or a broken spring in the analogue stick.

Even if the front label is damaged there is a solution: order a brand new one from ebay!

I even fixed a cracked electric circuit board with some glue and soldering (see my post in this forum)

In worst case scenario you can also mod a sega genesis controller to work on the vectrex. ( i did this also )

[different fix button 4 vectrex controller]

Common problem at the vectrex controller: button 4 is not working.

 

3 things what can cause this problem:

 

dirty contacts rubber pad and circuitboard

Worn out rubber pad

cracked circuitboard

 

In my situation: the circuitboard cracked in the middle including the circuit.

 

the fix

 

- Gently remove the overlay sticker ( use a hairdryer and take your time )

- Remove the screws

- Open the controller and unscrew the circuitboard

- Clean contacts of rubber pad and circuit board with some alcohol

 

* now the tricky part! *

 

- Picture 2 is showing the crack and fix ( see the crack in the middle of the circuit circle )

- Heat up a soldering iron and gently wipe some solder on the tip of the iron ( not too much! )

- Heat up the circuit circle a little bit where it cracked and then wipe the solder over the crack.

- If done correctly the crack has been fixed, now we are going to fortify this spot

- Ad some glue over the crack ( front + back of circuit board but only on the board, not circuit! )

- after drying stick some tape at the back and fold a little over the board.

* Also you can place a tiny screw at the side of the board ( there is a small hole ) to give more strength

 

[Vectrex - Sound, Game Plays, but small white dot?]

For those who are struggling with the white dot problem, this was my fix.

I bought a faulty vectrex which didn't start up.

 

symptoms:

 

- white dot slightly off center in the middle

- no vectrex "buzz"

- light bulb from tube is glowing

- when touching the reset button the white dot moves

- Brightness pot behind vectrex is responding

- static and sometimes beeping sounds from speaker.

 

Solution:

 

- Checked voltages on the power board - 4.95 v, ground ,+ 4.88 v en -0.77 v ( aha! must be - 13v! )

- Checked voltages at the power switch: 1 of the 2 wires ( the wire going to -13v point at power board didn't have voltage continuity )

- fixed the switch

- Powered up the system and yes we have -13 v! , but still the white dot.......

- Switched the removable ic's from the logic board ( i have a second and working vectrex ), IC chip SY6522 was faulty.

 

Hopefully this will help out some with the white dot problem

In my case this was the solution.

The white dot problem is a common problem and many parts can be faulty.

 

Also good to mention:

 

- check the power and logic board for broken or bad solder points

- Swollen or leaking capacitors

- Clean the removable ic's and sockets and check for dust in sockets or corrosion (also check if they are firmly mounted )

- measure the 4 wire point on the power board

- check the x-y-z cable for correct voltages/ resistance

 

I,m not an expert in fixing Vectrex systems but every fixed problem is good to mention for the community!

Greetings,

 

Dennis

[Vectrex display problems]

I just ordered the 72 in 1 Multicart by Andy Coleman ( http://vectrex.playntradeonline.com/ )

He is also active at the atariage forum as pootle.

Unfortunately his responses on emails are not so fast.

But all the customers who had ordered his product did get it. ( so good hope for me! )

 

Just a question about the vectrex: are there reproduction overlays for sale anywhere?

[Vectrex display problems]

Good news!

 

The vectrex is working again after re-cleaning the socket of the first chip in the right corner near the adjustable pots.( logic board )

Also recalibrate the display by a electronic specialist with a multicard and fixed the on/off switch and also fixed the joystick button!

 

greetings,

 

Dennis

[Atari 2600 Heavy Sixer issue. Graphical and switch problem]

Maybe an option to do:

 

You can clean the game cartridges with some alcohol or degreaser.

First i polish the print of the cartridge ( car polish ) and cleaning it with some alcohol or something else for degreasing.

Also you can clean the game slot with a credit card and a cloth.

It did solved some of my problems related to dirty contacts.

 

Hopefully this will helps.

 

Greetings,

 

Dennis

 

[Vectrex display problems]

At first i want to introduce myself.

My name is Dennis and recently i own a vectrex.

The system dit work great but unfortunately the on/off volume switch failed after a while.

So i hardwired the wires to fix this temporarily and cleaned the vectrex inside carefully with air from a compressor.

After that fixed i have another problem:

 

The picture is all messed up and the vectrex startscreen only has the rasters lined out without the vectrex text.

Sound is working and i can hear the game playing.

 

Things that i have checked/done:

 

-removed dust and dirt inside the vectrex and boards

-measured the 4 wire connector on the main board ( 4.95V ,ground ,4.88 V ,13.32V )

-cleaned the 4 wire connector

-resolder the 4 wire connector points on the board

-removed chips from socket, cleaned the pins and socket and reseated them

-cleaned the x-y-z connector

 

 

Can someone tell me where to look for this problem?

(Pictures are taken from start screen en minestorm )

 

With kind regards,

 

Dennis