23 Feb
2012
23 Feb
'12
8:51 p.m.
--- On Thu, 2/23/12, Jules Richardson <jules.richardson99 at gmail.com> wrote:
What's the parts availability like for Atari
CX-2600A
consoles? I've been offered one locally which the owner says
"has a missing knob" - at the moment I'm guessing that means
one of the four control levers on the top has been snapped
off (but I'm awaiting clearer info). I'm totally unfamiliar
with these machines; if that is the case, I don't know if
that also means there's likely to be PCB damage or if it's
more of a cosmetic issue?
The tops of the switch handles usually just break off. The PCB is single sided, and really
simple, especially where the switches are. Chances are, the switch body is still there,
with just the silver part on the top snapped off. You can substitute any switch that will
fit, but the "right" switch might be hard to get.
They also say they can't find "a
connector" to hook it up in
order to test it - that's a bit light on detail, too! Again,
I'm totally unfamiliar with these critters - do they have a
built-in RF modulator and just use a standard co-ax cable to
the TV? Or are they composite video output? Or something
else entirely? What about PSU; is this internal, or an
external brick?
The power supply is a simple unregulated 9v DC wall wart, supplied with a 1/8" mono
headphone plug (tip positive). Internally it feeds a 7805 voltage regulator, so you can
supply it with just about any DC voltage from 7 volts up to 35 volts, and it will work -
just, you know, it'll get real hot at higher voltages :)
Internally, the Atari runs on 5 volts DC.
Connection to the television is through an integral coaxial cable, terminating in an RCA
plug. This is an RF TV signal, on channel 2 or 3 (switch setting dependent). You need an
old style "switchbox" to connect it to the VHF terminals on the back of a
television, or you can use a simple F connector to RCA adapter to connect it to the cable
input of a newer set. The latter is preferable, the cheap tin switchboxes leak RF
interference like a sieve. The newer type automatic switchboxes intended for a Nintendo or
Sega Genesis won't work, as the Atari's signal is too weak to trip them.
I expect its value in current untested state is
peanuts
(which might end up being a problem if the seller equates
age with value) - even tested, complete units with a similar
amount of games don't seem to sell for very much. It'd be
nice to get a handle on cost to fix any external issues
though (setting aside any electronic problems which might be
lurking - are there any gotchas in terms of these beasts
being known for bit-rot?)
The consoles are worth very little in general. Don't pay more than $20 for one in
working condition. Unless, of course, it's the very early "heavy sixer",
made in Sunnyvale, which is worth a bit more simply because it was the first model. But
the common 4 switch versions are worth very, very little. Especially broken.
There's not much in an Atari to break, usually it's bad solder joints at
controller ports and switches, occasionally a bad 7805. Bad power packs are common because
of the cheap nasty wire they used. There are three chips inside, the most common failure
is the RIOT chip, which handles the controller ports.
The Atari 2600 is a fantastic machine, and a wonderful game console. It's very simple,
and very reliable. Happy gaming!
-Ian