noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 6, 2012 16:32:35 GMT -5
I bought a 32 in 1 multicart from ebay, and I need some help. It works fine, but the plastic cartridge case fell apart already.
Is it safe to use the pcb in the Vectrex without a case?
Also, what can I use to glue the pcb back into the cart, and seal the edges. It looks like he used some thick green adhesive on the bottom of the PCB.
Another weird thing, is that the cart uses some weird jumper switches to switch games. I thought that the multicarts just had all of the games built in with a menu. Is this uncommon?
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2012 17:38:19 GMT -5
Is it safe to use the pcb in the Vectrex without a case? Probably. Andy Coleman sells a "lite" version of his multicart with just the pcb. I can't say one way or another since I'm not a tech guy and don't know about the one you're referring to though. Another weird thing, is that the cart uses some weird jumper switches to switch games. I thought that the multicarts just had all of the games built in with a menu. Is this uncommon? No, there's several multicarts out there, and they're made in a few ways. Hopefully someone can answer your other questions. |
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noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 6, 2012 19:21:02 GMT -5
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2012 19:31:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if I could use hot glue to mount it back in the case. George of FURY on here might know a little about that, as he has his carts made by someone else, as he said he's not very good with a solder  I'd assume a solder or glue would work, but to be on the safe side I'd wait until someone said yay or nay first. Because I had a computer once where the battery was attached to the motherboard and the whole computer would go down once the battery went dead. A friend of mine said maybe a desolder would work, but as it turned out that would've ruined the motherboard, as a special tool had to be used to get it off. Cost $65 for a $12 battery, since they had to charge me for an hour's time, even though it didn't take that much time to replace the battery  |
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noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 6, 2012 19:50:00 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't want to take any chances with my console! It looks like the PCB was just hot glued (or maybe epoxy was used) in there, but it wasn't secure and came loose when I put the cart in my Vectrex. All of my carts seem to fit tightly, so I can see how it happened. I wish it was screwed down instead...
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Post by vectrexmad on Feb 6, 2012 19:51:53 GMT -5
I bought a 32 in 1 multicart from ebay, and I need some help. It works fine, but the plastic cartridge case fell apart already. Is it safe to use the pcb in the Vectrex without a case? Also, what can I use to glue the pcb back into the cart, and seal the edges. It looks like he used some thick green adhesive on the bottom of the PCB. Another weird thing, is that the cart uses some weird jumper switches to switch games. I thought that the multicarts just had all of the games built in with a menu. Is this uncommon? I believe your multicart is quite basic and does not use any static sensitive components, so there is minimal risk of damage when handling it. Nevertheless, when inserting, removing and handling the multicart take care to hold it on the PCB sides if the cover is removed. Avoid touching the components. I don't like this cart because it is expensive compared to the state of the art (e.g. 72:1 Cart lite). Your cart also makes you select the games by having to change the dip switches. On the other mulitcarts including the 72:1, Sean Kelly and VecMulti you have a Vectrex on screen menu which is much easier. Jumper switches are very old school. I'm not sure about the internal arrangement of this cart. But for gluing the cart back together I would use glue from a hot glue gun. If you must use glue to join the PCB to the case (i don't really like that idea) try to minimise the amount of glue (just use a few blobs say at the corners) and try to avoid putting the glue on the components. |
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noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 7, 2012 22:32:27 GMT -5
I think I have it fixed now. I used an adhesive called "Goop" to secure the PCB to the plastic, and then some strong glue for the plastic case. I'm not thrilled with the build quality of the cart, but now it seems really solid. I wish I would have known about the other multicarts out there that are menu driven...
Still, it's pretty cool to be able to try out all of the games that I know eventually I'll be collecting!
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Post by VectorX on Feb 8, 2012 0:01:01 GMT -5
I would ask if it works, but maybe you're waiting for Goop to dry...?
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noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 8, 2012 13:24:37 GMT -5
Yeah, it's working fine now. It's a pain to have to change the dipswitches, but at least I can try out most of the games.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 8, 2012 14:02:10 GMT -5
Well at least you know what you're getting into now, games- and multicart-wise.
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Post by gliptitude on Feb 16, 2012 0:24:44 GMT -5
I ordered the same multi-cart a few days ago and am anxiously awaiting it's delivery (shipping from france). I purposely ordered one with switches in spite of what is otherwise available. Using an SD card on my Vectrex seems very practical for developing and for playing stuff in ROM form, but it also kind of seems like a violation of the primitive experience that I value so much. The "pain" in flipping a switch seems like an appropriate approximation of the labor involved in changing out the individual game carts and overlays. I know not everybody agrees with this, but the overlays are half the game for me. Web Wars is the most impressive visual experience on the Vectrex for me and the difference between this game with the overlay and this game without the overlay is night and day. It looks three dimensional with the overlay. It looks vaguely interesting without. I don't expect any multi-cart to be the end all be all of Vectrex gaming.
... hard for me to imagine that there is not even one screw involved in the construction of this Vectrom cart. Definitely a design flaw. Is the board compatible with old GCE cartridge shells, that you could maybe swap it?
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Post by VectorX on Feb 16, 2012 1:20:42 GMT -5
Web Wars is the most impressive visual experience on the Vectrex for me and the difference between this game with the overlay and this game without the overlay is night and day. Pole Position is supposed to be pretty monstrous as well, looking like it's actually in color (can't say for myself since I don't have it). Don't know the answer to your question though. |
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Post by gliptitude on Feb 16, 2012 1:32:39 GMT -5
Pole Position is supposed to be pretty monstrous as well, looking like it's actually in color (can't say for myself since I don't have it). I had Pole Position until recently, came with the initial lot I bought, but I sold/traded it after I saw how much it was worth. Not my kind of game, but it has one of the best overlays, which is what gives it the colors. Most games just have an overlay of one color field and others have semi arbitrary color variations. With Pole Position the overlay is designed to line up so the road is one color, the mountains are another and the peaks of the mountain are a third color. It's a great effect. |
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noah98
Vector Runner
Posts: 21
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Post by noah98 on Feb 17, 2012 0:14:46 GMT -5
The pcb for this multicart definitely won't fit into a standard cart shell because it is quite big due to the dip switches. I agree that not having even a single screw is definitely a design flaw. I will say that the adhesive that I used worked remarkably well, and it is very sturdy now. In it's original form, it was flimsy and loose.
I've been on an overlay quest, but haven't had much luck. I've mostly been re-buying games I already own if they come with an overlay. Right now I'm trying hard to get one for Web Wars and Solar Quest.
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Post by VectorX on Feb 17, 2012 0:59:36 GMT -5
If you have a way to fix a broken overlay, I've got Solar Quest ;D
Probably not, but I just thought I'd point that out.
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