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Bally Astrocade controller with StellaAddapter


scotty

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OK.... Before You write, and say that yes, they have the same 9 pin connector, but they are not compatable, I already know this, thus, this is why I am posting this question.... According to the Bally Astrocade Faq, it is possible to re-wire the Astrocade controller to work as a 2600 Compatable stick. It does mention the Potentiometer in the bally controller is different then what Atari uses, however if you put an Atari pot in the Astrocade controller it will work (on real hardware). My question is, if I change the pot (I have a set of dead paddles) will the dial controller work with the Stellaadapter???

 

Below is the info from the Astrocade Faq:

 

 

Joystick Rewiring

 

 

There are 2 ways to do this. 1) remove the existing cable and use a joystick extension cable to rewire.(Ok if you don't need to use it with the Bally any more) or 2) make a translation plug or "Gender Bender" of sorts.

 

Those wishing to keep the knob function should note that the Bally uses a different restive value for the pot than Atari/Commodore. To this end I actually removed the resistive board from the Bally pot & replaced with 1 from an Atari Paddle. (Tricky but doable)

 

It's also possible to wire an Atari/Commodore joystick to replace a Bally/Astrocade one. However I'm not sure how to include the Knob function. In anycase the important wiring chart is Below.

 

Bally/Astrocade Atari

 

Controller port Joystick port

 

1. Trigger 1. Paddle B

2. Right 2. Right

3. Left 3. Left

4. Down 4. Down

5. Not Connected 5. Up

6. 50K Pot (Knob) 6. Paddle A

7. Ground 7. Ground

8. Pot end 8. +5v (Paddle end)

9. Up 9. Fire Button

 

As per Bally Manual

DB9

1 2 3 4 5 (Looking at Plug end)

6 7 8 9

 

The numbering above is reverse to the industry standard. This has made it difficult

when working with pre-numbered DB9 ends.Below is the matching pinouts.

 

Bally/Astrocade Atari Standard

Controller port Controller port

 

1. NC (No Connection) 1. Up

2. Down 2. Down

3. Left 3. Left

4. Right 4. Right

5. Trigger 5. Paddle Potentiometer B

6. Up 6. Fire Button

7. Potentiometer end 7. +5v (Paddle end)

8. Ground 8. Ground

9. 50K Potentiometer (Knob) 9. Paddle Potentiometer A

 

DB9 Male Port: DB9 Female Plug:

1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1

6 7 8 9 9 8 7 6

 

An Atari-Bally controller converter may be constructed.

The connections are listed here:

 

A1-B6 A2-B2 A3-B3 A4-B4 A5-NC B1-NC A6-B5 A7-B7 A8-B8

A9-B9

.... where (A)tari (B)ally.

 

Thus adapters can be made to connect an Atari compatible controller to the

Bally/Astrocade or vice versa.

 

Please note that the Bally/ Atari/ Commodore paddles use different value

potentiometers and additional work is necessary to make one controller

work with another console. Adding A resistor in parallel will help if the

sweep (Max turn) is too long. Other?

 

Also note that the Bally/ Astrocade port does not provide voltage. Thus

autofire circuits will not work when plugged into the port. But the

ambitious tinkerer may build an autofire circuit tapping the light pen port.

 

Light Pen (Back of arcade)

1. Ground

1 3 2. LP

2 3. +5

 

Controller Maintenance

----------------------

 

Opening the controller: 4 screws hold the two black clamshells together.

Be careful not to lose the trigger parts or screws when opening.

 

Joystick and trigger contacts may be cleaned with a cotton swab soaked in

isopropyl alcohol. Also the potentiometer may be cleaned with two or three

drops of alcohol into the casing then twist the knob vigorously about 30

times.

 

A frayed / broken cable may be replaced with a Genesis or other 9 wire cable.

 

A broken black casing may be glued with plumbing glue.

 

Be careful to put the clear plastic wrapping back in place when

reassembling.

Edited by scotty
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