The point of a game console is CARTRIDGES... right?
Look at those nuts!
This instalment will be a short, but important one: our ColecoVision clone will get a cartridge slot! The part you need is available from mouser.com, like most parts:
J1 395-030-520-202 or 345-030-520-202
Important: read on before soldering!
Before you solder the card edge connector, make sure you tighten it to the printed circuit board! Because if you don't, each insertion or removal of a cartridge will put an excessive strain on the copper traces on the board, and we don't want that! Coleco used rivets to achieve this, but most people will not have the equipment to do this. Instead I recommend:
2 M3 screws
2 M3 self-locking hex nuts
2 plastic washers
The soft washers are very important, because they prevent damage to the circuit board and keep the nut from scratching it (even if it's just ground). Tighten both screws/nuts, but don't over tighten them! Then, solder the connector.
Donkey Cart...
Now you can finally insert a cartridge, nothing keeps you from inserting it backwards, so please have the cart label face forward before turning the power on!
After power on you should see the familiar "Colecovision presents:" game title screen, and you'll wish you had a controller to press "1" to play, but you'll need just a little more patience, because next time we'll look at the controller section.
But... I don't have a cartridge...
Fear not, just go to the files section, there you'll find not only the Gerber files to have your own cartridge PCB made (hint: it's a great idea to order a few of those along with the main PCB!), but you'll also find a link to the (free) STL files on Thingiverse to 3D-print your own cartridge housings!
All you need is a 74LS21D (SO14), a 100nF 0805 capacitor, a 28 pin socket and a 27C256 EPROM, and the party can begin!
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