Please view this document in a maximized window to prevent word- wrapping. Description: The Atari Trackball CX80 has 2 modes. (A switch on the back changes the mode.) In Joystick Emulation Mode it acts like an 8 direction joystick . In Trackball Mode it acts like a true trackball, providing both direction and speed of movement. The adapter described in this document allows an Atari CX80 Trackball in Joystick Emulation Mode to be used as an 8 direction controller on the Vectrex. Hyperchase is the only Vectrex game that will not work with this adapter. (Hyperchase requires an analog controller.) = Risks: This is my first ever electronics project. All I know is that using this adapter has not burned-up my Vec or my trackball . . . YET! = Build it and use it at your own risk. Background: I saw the Atari Trackball in a close-out store, and I bought it with the intention of using it on my Vectrex. I then started surfing the net and posting notes on various user- groups to figure out how to do it. = After finding my answers, I built and tested it on a breadboard. I had it working 2 hours after I started. I thought I was home free. Then I tried building it on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) by soldering. Two days and several ruined circuit boards later I was still trying. That's when I switched to Wire Wrapping. Wire Wrapping is tedious, but it's easy to correct mistakes without chucking the whole project and starting over. (After testing, it is very easy to solder the Wire Wrapped connections.) Credits: Jay Tilton: = The circuit described here is designed by Jay. People experienced with electronics can find all they need on Jay's page: = http://fbox.vt.edu:10021/J/jtilton/games/tech/index.html See the design for the "Vectrex Digital Stick Adapter". = Bojay: = I posted a note on the Atari User Group asking for a wiring diagram for the trackball. Bojay gave me the trackball's original factory service manual. He wouldn't even let me pay the $3 postage. = Tony Price: = Tony gave me a break on a damaged Vectrex controller that I had intended to use for parts. = Brian Holscher: = Brian sent me a copy of his plans for building an adapter to use a Sega Genesis Controller on the Vectrex. Please Help: Send any corrections and suggestions to lshaker@flash.net I'll re-post this document after including any improvements. = If you have a Vectrex Webpage, please include this document. = If you can manufacture these adapters, you have my permission. Please get Jay Tilton's permission. You assume all risks. Note: I am NOT trying to push Radio Shack. Their prices range from reasonable to rather high. But, they are national and they have most of the parts.(Parts with a catalog number starting with RSU must be ordered.) Parts & Supplies =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Source = Item Qt Catalog Number Notes y (Qty) Price =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Atari 1 MPJA The Atari Trackball CX22 Trackball (800) 652-6733 should also work. But I do CX80 www.mpja.com not have one to test. Catalog: 6465MI = (1) $1.95 MPJA has a $15.00 Minimum Order. American Science & They had 1293 in stock as Surplus of Jan 30, 1998. (847) 982-0870 = www.sciplus.com American Science has a Catalog #: 27407 $10.00 Minimum Order. They (1) $7.50 had 30 in stock as of Jan 29, 1998. = ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Project Box 1 Radio Shack Pro: Circuit 1 270-283 Ideally sized project box. Board 2 (1) $3.99 Custom fit circuit board. Board Built-in board mounts. Standoffs = Black plastic matches Vectrex & Trackball. = Con: Requires reinforcement behind 9-pin connectors. Bigger box would be easier for beginners. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Scrap Sheet Only required if using Metal plastic project box. Used inside box to reinforce walls that have been cut to mount the 9-pin connectors. I cut-up an aluminum project box I had purchased as an alternate. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- D-sub 9 Pin 2 Radio Shack = Male 276-1537 = (1) $0.99 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- D-sub 9 Pin 1 Radio Shack = Female 276-1538 = (1) $1.29 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- 9 Conductor 1F Electronics Supply = Cable t (1 Ft) $0.35 = = ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Machine 6 Radio Shack = Screws 64-3011 = (42) $1.49 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Machine Hex 6 Radio Shack = Nuts 64-3018 = (30) $1.49 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- PCB Terminals 9 Radio Shack The adapter requires 9 276-1388 terminals. (8) $2.29 The Radio Shack product has 4 stackable 2 terminal blocks. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- 1 Inch long 9 Wire like that at the ends Uninsulated of resisters. Wire Will be used to convert PCB Terminals to "Wire Wrap PCB Terminals". I got the wires by raiding my breadboard jumper wires. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- 16 Pin Wire 2 Radio Shack = Wrap Sockets 276-1994 = (2) $1.69 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- 4052 IC 2 Radio Shack = RSU 11392198 = (1) $1.29 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- =BC Watt-10K 6 Radio Shack = Ohm RSU 11346061 = Resister (5) $0.99 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- =BC Watt-4.7K 2 Radio Shack = Ohm RSU 11345949 = Resister (5) $.099 ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Rosin Core 1 Radio Shack Enough solder is included Solder 64-006 in the Radio Shack Basic Soldering Kit (64-2802)for this project. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Wrapping Wire Radio Shack 1 Spool is more than enough Red 1 278-501 for this project. But the White 1 278-502 variety of colors makes Blue 1 278-503 checking your work a lot (50 Ft) $2.99 easier. ------------- -- -------------------- --------------------------- Sega Genesis 1 Toys-R-Us or The Vectrex Controller Port Controller WWW.SEGA.COM is a standard 9-pin male Extension (1) $9.99 connector, but it is in a Cord deeper than standard socket. The Genesis Controller Extension Cord's head can be easily trimmed to fit the Vectrex. Some other cords may also work, but I know this one will. (This info found on the Jay Tilton's webpage.) =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Tools =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Source = Item Catalog Number Notes Price =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Wire Wrapping Radio Shack = Tool 276-1570 $7.49 ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Soldering Radio Shack = Iron 64-2802 $7.99 ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Desoldering Radio Shack = Bulb 64-2086 $2.79 ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Helping Hands Radio Shack A stand with moveable arms and 64-2063 alligator clip hands. A $9.99 necessity if using solder-on 9- pin Connectors. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Multi-Meter Radio Shack I bought a no-name meter at a 22-166 local store for $20. I've seen $39.99 'em for $10. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Wire Radio Shack = Stripper/Cutt 64-1952 er $4.59 ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Screwdrivers: Radio Shack = #0 64-1959 Phillips $4.79 1/8 Slot ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Drill + = 1/8 & 3/8 Bits ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Small File or Used to enlarge drill holes for Nibbling Tool Radio Shack mounting 9-pin connectors. 64-823 Small Course File will work $10.99 fine, Nibbling Tool will speed up work on Sheet Metal. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- IC extractor Radio Shack Optional: A small flat blade 276-1581 screwdriver can be used to $7.49 remove ICs. Be gentle, pry the IC up a little at time from the ends. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Breadboard Radio Shack Optional: Get only if you want 276-169 to verify you understand the $21.99 wiring before building the adapter. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Jumper Wires Radio Shack Optional: Get only if you want 276-173 to verify you understand the $5.49 wiring before building the adapter. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Pin Crimping Radio Shack Optional: Get only if you use Tool 276-1595 crimp-on $9.99 9-pin connectors rather than the solder-on connectors listed above. After using this tool I had to use a pliers to finish each crimp. Solder-on connectors are easy to use if you have the Helping Hand tool. ------------- -------------------- -------------------------------- Pin Insertion Radio Shack Optional: Get only if you use & Extraction 276-1426 crimp-on Tool $2.99 9-pin connectors. = = =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D Note: These instructions assume that you are using Radio Shack Project Box/Circuit Board 270-283. 1. Prepare Project Box = The 9-pin connectors must be mounted from the outside. I mounted them as shown: = Top View: +-----+ Female 9-Pin | | (Vectrex) +------------------------------+ | | | | +-| |-+ Male 9-Pin | | | | Male 9-Pin (Buttons) | | | |(Trackball) +-| |-+ | | | | +------------------------------+ = To allow maximum clearance for the components, mount the connectors close to the top of the box. (The metal side is the bottom.) = a) Cut out holes for 9-Pin connectors. Holes should be just large enough for the back side of the plug to fit though. Drill a 3/8" hole and enlarge with a small file or nibbler. = b) Cut 1 piece of sheet metal to fit inside the box against each side with a connector. They should slide between the mounting posts and the sides of the box. When pushed into place they should not extend beyond the circuit board mounting posts (the shorter posts). = c) Cut holes in sheet metal parts to match the connector mounting holes in the project box. = d) Use the connectors as guides to drill the 1/8" holes for the machine screws in the project box & sheet metal parts. = 2. Wire 9-Pin Connectors = Vectrex Controller & Port Connections: = Pin 1: Button 1 Pin 2: Button 2 Pin 3: Button 3 Pin 4: Button 4 Pin 5: Joystick: Horizontal Pin 6: Joystick: Vertical Pin 7: +5V Pin 8: Ground Pin 9: -5V = Trackball Connections: = Pin 1: Up Pin 2: Down Pin 3: Left Pin 4: Right Pin 5: ---- Pin 6: Fire Button Pin 7: +5V Pin 8: Ground Pin 9: ---- = The 9-Pin Connectors' solder connectors are numbered. (You may need a good light and a magnifying glass to see them.) Remember that the pin numbers on the male and female connectors are mirror images. = a) Cut the 9 conductor cable to get 3 - 3" segments. Use a small screwdriver to poke-out the inner wires. = b) Assign a wire color to each pin number & WRITE THEM DOWN!!! = Here's the colors I used, but your wire colors may vary: = Pin 1: White Pin 2: White Stripe Pin 3: Red Pin 4: Red Stripe Pin 5: Green Pin 6: Green Stripe Pin 7: Blue Pin 8: Orange Pin 9: Black = Wire your connectors using your color chart. = Strip about 1/8" from each end of the wires before soldering. (I know: Duhh!) = After soldering check all connections. If you have spare connectors: plug in a mating connector then use you multi- meter to check the connection from the wire to the spare connectors matching solder terminal.) = c) Solder a wire to every pin on the Vectrex Connector (9-Pin Female). = d) Solder wires to the following pins on the Trackball Connector (9-Pin Male): 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 = e) Solder a wire to pin 8 of the Button Connector (9-Pin Male). = f) Mount the Vectrex Connector and Trackball Connector in the project box and fasten with machine screws and machine nuts. = g) Pull the Vectrex Connectors wires 1, 2, 3 & 4 and Trackball Connector's wire 6 through the hole for the Buttons Connector. = h) Cut the Vectrex Connectors wires 1, 2, 3 & 4 and Trackball Connector's wire 6 just so they are just long enough so that you can solder them to the Buttons Connector from the outside the Project Box. = i) Solder the wires to the Buttons Connector as follows: = Pin 1: Vectrex Connector Wire 1 Pin 2: Vectrex Connector Wire 2 Pin 3: Vectrex Connector Wire 3 Pin 4: Vectrex Connector Wire 4 and Trackball Connector Wire 6 = Wiring the Trackball Fire Button (Connector Wire 6) in with the Vectrex Button 4 (Connector Wire 4) will allow the buttons on the Trackball as additional Button 4s. = j) Mount the Buttons Connector in the project box and fasten with machine screws and machine nuts. = 3. Make a Wire Wrap PCB Terminal = I could not find PCB Terminals made for wire wrapping, so I adapted the standard PCB Terminals. = 9 Terminals are needed. The terminals I bought were in blocks of two that attached to each other by a "sliding dovetail joint" (I may not know much about electronics, but I know my woodworking terms!) = a) Slide terminals together to make a strip of 10. = b) Bend each of the 9 1-inch stiff wires into an L. = c) In each terminal: insert a short leg of the "L", with the long leg sticking down and tighten the screw. = 4. Mount the components on the circuit board. The circuit board has copper solder rings around each hole on one side of the board. For soldering: the components should be mounted on the side opposite the solder rings. For wire wrapping: the components should be mounted on the side with the solder rings. (This will reduce the chance of a loose first wire wrap loop from shorting out to a neighboring wire wrap post.) = I fooled around for an hour to figure out a layout that spaced the components as widely as possible and did not bump into the connectors when the circuit board was installed in the circuit board. Here's my layout: = +-----------------------------------+ | +-----+ . . -=3D=3D4.7K=3D- . . +-\_/-+ | +--------+ | | . . . . . . . . . | | +--------+ | | . | . | 4 | . . -=3D=3D10K=3D=3D- . . | 4 | . | . | | | |1|.|1|. | 0 | . . . . . . . . . | 0 | .|1|.|1| | | |0|.|0|. | 5 | . . -=3D=3D10K=3D=3D- . . | 5 | .|0|.|0| | | |K|.|K|. | 2 | . . . . . . . . . | 2 | .|K|.|K| | | | |.| |. | _ | . . -=3D=3D4.7K=3D- . . | | .| |.| | | | | . | . +-/ \-+ . . . . . . . . . +-----+ . | . | | | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | | . . .+--------------------------------------+ . . | | . . .|0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | . . | | . . .+--------------------------------------+ . . | +--------+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +--------+ | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | +-----------------------------------+ = The notch on the 4052's sockets represents the top of the IC. = The Wire Wrap PCB Terminal is represented by the long component numbered 0 - 9. Mount the terminal strip on the circuit board with the long legs of the "L"'s extending down through the circuit board. The PCB Terminals wire holes should be mounted pointing away from the other components. After mounting the components, tuck the wires up in the project box and test fit the circuit board into the project box. (The Wire Wrap Posts and leads will stick out the bottom of the box, they will be trimmed later.) 5. Wire Wrap it. = a) The remaining 9-Pin Connector Wires will be fastened to the PCB terminals at the end of the project. Now it's time to assign a function to each of the PCB Terminals and WRITE THEM DOWN. Here is my list: = Terminal 0: Vectrex Joystick: Horizontal Terminal 1: Vectrex Joystick: Vertical Terminal 2: Vectrex +5V and Atari +5V Terminal 3: Vectrex Ground and Trackball Ground and Buttons Ground Terminal 4: Vectrex -5V Terminal 5: Trackball Up Terminal 6: Trackball Down Terminal 7: Trackball Left Terminal 8: Trackball Right = b) Wire Wrap the circuits. = The circuit design is by Jay Tilton. Jay designed the circuit to use an Atari 2600 Joystick on the Vec. I found that it also works the Atari Trackballs. = I E-mailed Jay to request permission to reproduce his design, but he did not reply. = You can find the component wiring design on Jay's page: http://fbox.vt.edu:10021/J/jtilton/games/tech/index.html See the design for the "Vectrex Digital Stick Adapter". = Before wrapping trim the resistor leads so that the Wire Wrap Tool can reach lead's bottom. = Use the different wrapping wire colors to distinguish the circuits. I had three colors, so I wrapped the Ground Circuit with white, the +5 V Circuit with red, and everything else with blue. = Multiple connections are made on one wire wrap post or lead by stacking one wire wrap connection on top of another. In this design, it is never necessary to wrap one post or lead more than twice. = To make the circuits, chain the connections together. If A, B & C must be connected to ground. Wrap a wire from the ground PCB terminal to A, a second wire from A to B, and a third wire from B to C. = When wiring the sockets, remember that you are working from the bottom. Depending on how you flipped the circuit board, the connections are flipped either upside-down or side-to- side. = After each circuit is completed (EX: All ground connections), use the multi-meter to verify that electricity flows and check for shorts. (+5V and -5V ARE connected through 29.4K Ohms of resisters.) = 6. Connect It = The Vectrex Controller Port is a standard 9-pin male connector, but it is in a deeper than standard socket. Trim the Genesis Controller Extension Cord's head with a utility knife to fit the Vectrex's port. = End View: Before: After: +-----------+ +-----------+ | ------- | | ------- | | \ / | | \ / | | ----- | \ ----- / +-----------+ \--------/ = 7. Test it! a) Using your Connector Wire Color Chart and your PCB Terminal Function Chart, connect the 9-pin connector wires to the PCB Terminals. Where there is more than 1 wire connected to 1 PCB Terminal, twist the wires ends together. = b) Plug the ICs into the sockets. Be sure to orient the ICs correctly, the little dimple at one end of the IC marks the top of the IC. = c) Make sure the Trackball is in Joystick Emulation Mode. The switch is located on the back of the trackball next to the cable. = d) Hook-it up! = If you have a Multi-cart, use the TEST program to check out it's operation. If not, use a program that uses all 8 joystick directions. = Good Luck ! ! ! = 8. Solder it Note: Soldering is not required, but it is highly recommended. a) Remove the ICs from the sockets. = b) Disconnect the 9-pin connector wires from the PCB Terminals. = c) Use a wire cutters to trim the Wire Wrap Posts and leads just above the wrapping wire. = d) Solder all the connections by holding the soldering gun to one side of each Wire Wrap Post and the solder to the opposite side of the post. You will get a good connection if the solder is melted from the heat of the component, not by direct contact to the soldering iron. 9. Box It a) Trim the 9-pin connector wires so they are just long enough to connect to the appropriate PCB Terminal. Then re- strip the ends and reconnect the wires to the PCB Terminals. = b) Remount the ICs in the sockets. = c) Mount the circuit board in the project box. = d) Verify the Wire Wrap Posts and leads will not contact the metal bottom of the project box. Trim or bend any offending posts or leads. = e) Attach the project box bottom. 10. Play it !!!