Fixing TurboPad Connector Plug

[septimus]

I somehow am in possession of a broken TurboPad. Specifically, the large DIN connector appears to have been sliced off.

Is there some way to fix this? Convert it into a USB HID device? Convert it into an NES pad? I'm open to suggestions

[CRTGAMER]

Ouch! Electronics stores will have replacement DIN plugs.

[septimus]

Not an uncommon part is it? I'll see if I can find one then.

[CRTGAMER]

Not an uncommon part is it? I'll see if I can find one then.

Should be able to find replacement, bring another good plug to match. The work will be tracing wires and soldering. Inexpensive fix though, Good luck

[Hobie-wan]

I somehow am in possession of a broken TurboPad. Specifically, the large DIN connector appears to have been sliced off.

Is there some way to fix this? Convert it into a USB HID device? Convert it into an NES pad? I'm open to suggestions

The pad I got with my TG-16 did this too. The console held tighter onto the metal ring and pins than the pad plug grip does and it would pull right off the end of the cord. I made extension cords since the pads have such short cables, so I just leave the extension plugged into the pad so it stays put.

If you get a C shaped 8 pin DIN plug (not U shaped) you could lop off the end, make the whole cable longer, then put a new DIN on the end. Open up the controller and check continuity between the holes in the end there and the colored wires on the circuit board end before you lop it off so you know what colors go to which pins when you add the extension.

I used some heavy duty cable I picked up, but some cat 5 cable would be fine. Here's a plug, looks like you just need to specify you want 8 pin. http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Pcs-3-8-Pin-DIN-P ... 2a03d933ba

[jfe2]

Post some pics if you do end up fixing this. I would be interested in seeing what you do!

[septimus]

I ventured to the local electronics component shop and found that they sold round DIN connectors just like the one you see in that ebay auction. The 8-pin variety has the same pin layout (7 pins around a central 8th pin) as the turbopad connector. However the round metal shell is 1mm in diameter smaller than the shell on the turbopad connector. Overall the connector is slightly smaller and does not fit into the turbografx controller port.

If there is an elegant way to fix this I will find it.

[Hobie-wan]

I ventured to the local electronics component shop and found that they sold round DIN connectors just like the one you see in that ebay auction. The 8-pin variety has the same pin layout (7 pins around a central 8th pin) as the turbopad connector. However the round metal shell is 1mm in diameter smaller than the shell on the turbopad connector. Overall the connector is slightly smaller and does not fit into the turbografx controller port.

If there is an elegant way to fix this I will find it.

The plug on the end of that cord is ruined. You need to just check that the DIN plug fits into the TG-16, then check continuty from the holes in that plug to the colored ends of the wire you can see inside the controller at the board end. Then chop off the busted plug and attach the new DIN with the wires to the correct colors as checked previously. Even better if you add some more cord so that its not ridiculously short. Or you could check the colors to pins and put the new DIN on a completely new piece of cord and attach that inside the controller.

This was what I ended up with. Left to right is the console end of my extension which is the DIN plug you need, center is the plug bit you're missing with the pin side that fits into the controller plug, and the busted controller plug.


If you don't feel up to the fix, I could do it for you. It would probably be better to just make a whole new cord instead of splicing to make it longer. I have heavy duty cable that I used for my extensions, it is just tan instead of black. Or if you don't want to mess with it, I'll buy the controller off of you for a few bucks and fix it for my own use. Just don't toss it.