2600 Composite Mod issue - very dark video

[cma2032]

Hi all,

 

I recently did a composite mod on 4-switch Vader and was pretty disappointed with the results. The video came out incredibly dark, and on games like Demon Attack you can barely see anything.

 

The mod I used was of this variety: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-2600-7800-A-V-Composite-RCA-Audio-Video-Mod-Upgrade-Kit-Fully-Assembled-/311640119064?hash=item488f32d718:g:nfMAAOSw9NdXtCW-

 

I saw another topic with someone having a similar problem, and he had a few things he tried to remedy the issue, some of which did not apply to me, but I tried the ones he suggested that I could do (like removing the resistor to the left of the one you attach the audio to and jumping it instead, and removing the 3.3k resistor) and it didn't help at all. Here was that topic: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/215175-2600-composite-mod/

 

And finally, here are 2 photos I took of my console:

 

http://i.imgur.com/Q6WySxf.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dLsvK50.jpg

 

Does anyone have any guidance or suggestions on things I can do to make this usable?

[R.Cade]

Unfortunately, there are so many revisions of the 2600 board that I have to start over every time I look at one. The resistors are labeled differently, the values are different. It's crazy...

Basically I had to hand tune the half dozen of them that I've modded over the years.

[allann1]

I have the same board and issue. All I did was remove the 75 ohm resistor on ground and video.

[allann1]

 

Unfortunately, there are so many revisions of the 2600 board that I have to start over every time I look at one. The resistors are labeled differently, the values are different. It's crazy...

 

Basically I had to hand tune the half dozen of them that I've modded over the years.

Did you ever get a rev 14 board fully working?

[R.Cade]

I'm sure I have, but I usually end up selling them. I know I have a vader I just did recently- I'll look at it and take pictures.

[Neuronic]

I have the same board and issue. All I did was remove the 75 ohm resistor on ground and video.

I found that my mod board from e-bay had the same issue with my black 4 switch Vader console

 

I removed this small resistor from the circuit (banded with colors: violet 7, green 5, black x 0 multiplier, silver) found between the ground (black) and the video (yellow) wires on the "out" side of the little red PCB. I just snipped one end and pulled it away a bit and boom much better!!!!

 

Always, the best help comes from AtariAge members!