[sci.electronics] Atari VCS Paddle Controllers

sean@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sean P. Nolan) (11/30/89)

Hi ho...

I recently dug our old Colecovision system out of a closet, replaced its sick
parts (the job cost $.39 --- there is some merit in playing with electronics
all day instead of studying!), and plugged it into my TV here at school. One of
the "Expansion Modules" I have is an adapter so you can use Atari VCS
cartridges in it. However, I don't have the "Paddle Controllers" that came with
the Atari machine.

My question: does anybody know what the mechanism/pinouts of these doohickeys
is? It's certainly not worth my going out and buying anything over $10, but if
it's simple I might as well slap a pair together.

While I'm at it, if anybody has schematics and/or technical info on the
Colecovision system, I'd be interested for curiosity's sake.

Thanks!

--- Sean

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| Sean P. Nolan     | Net: Sean_Nolan@Mac.Dartmouth.EDU |  "Let's face it:   |
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kleemann@vms.macc.wisc.edu (Brad Kleemann) (12/01/89)

In article <17437@dartvax.Dartmouth.EDU>, sean@eleazar.dartmouth.edu (Sean P. Nolan) writes...

>Hi ho...
> 
>I recently dug our old Colecovision system out of a closet, replaced its sick
>parts (the job cost $.39 --- there is some merit in playing with electronics
>all day instead of studying!), and plugged it into my TV here at school. One of
>the "Expansion Modules" I have is an adapter so you can use Atari VCS
>cartridges in it. However, I don't have the "Paddle Controllers" that came with
>the Atari machine.
> 
>My question: does anybody know what the mechanism/pinouts of these doohickeys
>is? It's certainly not worth my going out and buying anything over $10, but if
>it's simple I might as well slap a pair together.
They are simple.  The paddle controllers use two player boxes
for each DB-9.  Each of these little boxes contains a pot and
switch.  I'd have to open mine (again) for details.  The joystick
boxes use one DB-9 per player.  They contain 5 switches.
5 volts is also available (either pin 7 or 8 I think).
I think the pots go to pins 5 and 9, but I can't remember if they
are tied high or low.  Atari computers also use these.  I've
used them to control my direct digital synthesis signal generator
from my atari 400.  I bet you can find some old paddles at a
garage sale, probably with a cheap VHS too.
--Brad