PCH1-01-CART the Playchoice to NES Cart Adapter

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PCH1-01-CART the Playchoice to NES Cart Adapter

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Features:
1. Supports playing NES games on a Playchoice PCB (See Notes 3 and 4)
2. Supports PowerPak (See Note 5)
3. Supports Extra Audio Channel when used with the PowerPak. Some Famicom games supported extra audio channels that the NES counterparts did not support. Using something like the PowerPak, you can now play those extra sounds with this adapter. The Extra Audio Channel has it's own volume control on the adapter so that the user can tune to their liking.
4. Supports Playchoice games on the Playchoice PCB while using this adapter. (See Note 6)

Notes:
1. A modified BIOS is required to use this adapter.
2. The pitch on the Cart connector is slightly different compared to the NES. The NES used a 2.5mm pitch part, which I don't believe is made anymore, and this adapter uses a 2.54mm part. I haven't had any troubles to date. If there is enough interest, I have designed and can make an adapter, but the user would have to desolder a connector off of a NES Game Genie to use it.
3. Not all NES games have been tested. It is possible some don't work. A list of tested carts will be listed in another post.
4. Clean your carts before using this adapter. Dirty carts may not work and will transfer that dirt to this adapter.
5. The PowerPak is not perfect and not all PowerPaks, Playchoice Motherboards, or NES Units are the same. Finding the perfect mappers for your system is up to you. Just like on some NES Units, some chips may need to be replaced to increase compatibility with the PowerPak. A small capacitor is included in the kit for the PowerPak to increase compatibility with certain games. Some PowerPaks may not need this capacitor. The capacitor can also be installed on the back of this adapter if needed.
6. Not all Playchoice games have been tested while using this adapter. It is possible some will not work while using this adapter. The user may also need to set the PowerPak back to the PowerPak Title screen before playing other Playchoice games.

Installation:
1. Install the NES cartridge into the adapter securely
2. Install the NES cartridge and adapter onto the Playchoice PCB

Adjusting Volume:
1. Turning the Volume Pot clockwise increases the "extra sounds" volume. Turning the Volume Pot counterclockwise decreases volume.

Mounting:
1. The Adapter was designed so that the NES cartridge is slightly larger then the Cart Adapter on one side. This allows the user to install a screw or bracket onto the side of the Playchoice PCB holder to keep the Cart level which will lessen wear on the Playchoice NES Cart Adapter.

Other Notes:
1. During testing, one Playchoice Motherboard PCB required a component change for compatibility with some games when using a PowerPak.
2. The Playchoice PCB upgrade note from Nintendo will need to be done for Dual Monitor PCBs to use certain games.

As a last minute decision, I've decided to try and release a few of these in a DIY kit form before I go out of town. My goal is to get the adapter into a few more users hands and hopefully they will have some feedback when I return. Assembly instructions will be sent and it is a pretty easy kit to assemble. When I return I'll have a few more kits available. After the kits are gone and if there is interest in the adapter, I'll do a fully assembled run.

The kit is $60 shipped. I have 1 adapter that I assembled that I will sell at $65 shipped if you have some NES carts and a modified Playchoice BIOS already.

I'd like to sell the first few kits to people who are actually going to assemble the kits and try it out. If you feel like saving a few $$ compared to the fully assembled run, don't need a lot of hand holding, and/or can be a bit patient while I'm out of town for about a week then this may be a good solution for you. Also, I'm just one guy, not a business, and I don't offer 24 hr support. I don't always respond to PMs right away even if I read them, but feel free to PM again within a couple days as a reminder.

If there are any questions, typos, or things in this post that are unclear or potentially misleading please let me know.
 

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Very cool! Too bad I don't have a PC10. :p It still works w/ other games in the slots, right? IIRC others had problems w/ that.

DogP
 
so someone finally got the PC10 to start playing NES carts...now if they just had titles and instructions...
 
This is epic, if this came out a while ago I may have never got rid of my PC10. Powerpak compatibility is awesome.

NICE WORK on making this happen.
 
It still works w/ other games in the slots, right? IIRC others had problems w/ that.

I don't guarantee 100% compatibility on anything, but it does work w/ some other games in the slots. I have a limited number of NES and Playchoice games available to test with.

The PowerPak is a beast of it's own and doesn't always operate like most NES carts. When using the PowerPak the adapter works with other games in the slots, but depending on the game you are playing it is possible you may have to go back to the PowerPak title screen before playing the other games.
 
How do you know if you have the modified bias or not? Can this be purchased somewhere?

I am definitely in for one of these depending on this bias issue.
 
Count me in for interest in the fully assembled kit. Thanks so much for making this possible, I can't imagine the work it took to make this come together.
 
I want one!!!!!!

PM sent! I am so excited about this! I have a ton of games to test in it too! I can assemble my own.
 
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How do you know if you have the modified bias or not? Can this be purchased somewhere?

I am definitely in for one of these depending on this bias issue.

I'm not sure if you can tell if you have the modified BIOS. There are a couple of them. I use the v1.1 BIOS and you can have Steph at HobbyROMs burn you one. It's just one EPROM on the main board that needs to be replaced.
 
I'm not sure if you can tell if you have the modified BIOS. There are a couple of them. I use the v1.1 BIOS and you can have Steph at HobbyROMs burn you one. It's just one EPROM on the main board that needs to be replaced.

Payment sent, will you provide a link to information on upgrading the BIOS?
 
The 1 assembled adapter I have is sold pending payment. Only kits are available at this time.
 
How involved is the kit assembly. Will a cheap soldering iron do the trick or not?

The 1 assembled adapter I have is sold pending payment. Only kits are available at this time.
 
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