View Full Version : colecovision question about controllers
I have gotten back into playing colecovision but I am having trouble getting controllers that last long enough. Are coleco controllers easy to fix or is there good 3rd party ones?
christianscott27
05-19-2004, 05:12 PM
best bet is to get a coleco super action controller, they're pretty solid and the joystick is much better than the standard knob. there are some third party controllers out there but not a lot, i like to use the amiga powerjoy, theres also a wico controller.
john_soper
05-19-2004, 06:10 PM
If you like to solder, I got a couple adapter circuits you could do.
The first lets you use genesis controller (and joysticks) with both fire buttons supported. Still need the standard controller plugged in for keypad stuff.
The second is for playing with a jaguar controller including keypad and SAC button support:
http://www94.pair.com/jsoper/
doubledownon11
05-19-2004, 06:28 PM
The original controllers are very easy to repair if you have the ability to solder on 80's circuit boards. Disassemble the controller, and at the top of the board you will see the 4 directional dome switches. Desolder the 4 domes and clean or burnish the contacts and the bottoms of the domes. Coat them with a conditioner such as pro-gold and re-install. Usually the side fire buttons can be cleaned by spraying a fast drying contact style cleaner into them while they are still installed, and repeatedly press them both 10 or 15 times immediately after they have been sprayed. i've never seen the number pads go bad, but i guess it's possible. Also just check to make sure all 7 or 9 color wires are connected to the board and in the correct order. Ususlly the boards have a small letter near the contact to indicate which color goes with which contact.
tyranthraxus
05-19-2004, 10:10 PM
For many of the one button games you could use a 2600 controller in
port 1 and have CV one in port 2 for using the keypad to select level.
best bet is to get a coleco super action controller, they're pretty solid and the joystick is much better than the standard knob.
Seriously? I've never found a working SA controller, and they're impossible to fix. Just my bad luck, maybe?
Flack
05-22-2004, 09:44 AM
The original controllers are very easy to repair if you have the ability to solder on 80's circuit boards.
Bah, anyone can solder on 80's electronic stuff :)
Try soldering a mod kit on a newer PS2 model. You'll want to throw your soldering iron in the trash @_@
And if you're not good at it, your PS2 will follow.