Step-by-step guide for NTSC ColecoVision Upgrade Kit.
These consoles do have large capacitors inside and they need to be discharged before doing repaires or upgrades. Otherwise, you may receive a slight shock. To avoid such a situation, please leave your ColecoVision game system’s On/Off switch at the ON position for at least 5 minutes with the power plug off the electricity source. Please do not skip this stage.
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer:
If you are not skilled with a soldering iron, please have this installed by someone experienced! I
cannot be held responsible for any harm you do to yourself or to your game console. This upgrade is for the NTSC ColecoVision console only!
Read this Awesome "Soldering is Easy – Comic" for Basic 101s of soldering click here.
Tools Needed
• Soldering iron, solder
cannot be held responsible for any harm you do to yourself or to your game console. This upgrade is for the NTSC ColecoVision console only!
Read this Awesome "Soldering is Easy – Comic" for Basic 101s of soldering click here.
Tools Needed
• Soldering iron, solder
• Wire Strippers (or scissors with patience and practice)
• Drill with 3mm 1/4” drill bit (for RCA jacks)
• Philips-head screwdriver
• Drill with 3mm 1/4” drill bit (for RCA jacks)
• Philips-head screwdriver
Step 1:
Unscrew the eight screws shown below (I forgot to highlight the 2 side screws). Then open the ColecoVision, separate the halves gently and carefully. It's not easy!
Unscrew the eight screws shown below (I forgot to highlight the 2 side screws). Then open the ColecoVision, separate the halves gently and carefully. It's not easy!
Step 2:
Remove the two screws off the shielding over the motherboard and remove it. You may also need to desolder the RF shield from the motherboard. Some revisions have the RF shielding solder to the motherboard & secured with screws.
Remove the metal cover from the RF box shown below.
Step 4:
Now, solder wires as shown below. These wires are for the (input) side of the amp kit.
Step 5:
I am lacking clear pictures for RCA jack hole drilling. This is a general guide for all RCA jacks installations.
- Placement of Jacks is personal choice. I prefer shortest wires possible and install the jacks near the amp kit and RF box as shown. Others prefer the Jacks near the Controller bay. It's your choice. If picking the location show, the RF shielding will need bending and modification as shown below.
- Spacing for most RCA jacks is 15mm center to center of jack.
- Measure and mark drilling area with a sharpie market.
- First drill a small 3mm pilot hole.
- Next drill the final 1/4" hole.
Example of RCA jacks installed.
The illustration below is a quick overview of the pin-outs and soldering points. View the image at max size and double check you installation.
Final Steps.
It’s wise to check the functionality before completely assembling the stubborn top shell. Just be careful and make sure nothing is shorted before plugging it in. Also, cleaning the cartridge port with alcohol and a toothbrush would be a great idea.
