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Aussie Pinball Forums => Archived Threads => Homepin => Topic started by: Homepin on April 26, 2011, 10:22:39 PM

Title: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on April 26, 2011, 10:22:39 PM
Yes, After a hard day/night/day assembling the first two configurations of the replacement Bally MPU kit the boys at Homepin have successfully built the first two versions of this board!

We now have a fully working MPU running an original 6800 Micro with 2732 eproms and another running a 6802 micro with no oscillator chip and no 6810 RAM required!!!

We are mightily chuffed and are off to hit the piss!!

The first pic shows the 6802 version the second the 6800 board, those that know these boards will spot the differences - weirdly the camera captured them both displaying 333333 on the gas display in display test mode??


(http://www.homepin.com/pics/6802kit.jpg)


(http://www.homepin.com/pics/6800kit.jpg)

Most parts are still on the way so we have time to fine tune the manual and hope to have kits available in several configurations in a few weeks.
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: goodolddays on April 26, 2011, 11:52:06 PM
Top Work !  Well done  ^^^ ^^^
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Caveoftreasures on April 27, 2011, 12:36:19 AM
Mike, are u considering doing other boards, for other models, or any of the newer stuff as well.   !@#

Buying boards from overseas doesnt make sense if alot of us can scource them from u.  ^^^

Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: beaky on April 27, 2011, 01:02:07 AM
A big thumbs up on this one.  ^^^
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: humpalot on April 27, 2011, 08:03:09 AM
Mike, are u considering doing other boards, for other models, or any of the newer stuff as well.   !@#

Buying boards from overseas doesnt make sense if alot of us can scource them from u.  ^^^



Especially when they don't always work correctly.  A combo data east and system 11 cpu board would be good for example.
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on April 27, 2011, 09:40:14 AM

Good Stuff Mike.  ^^^
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Pinfan on April 27, 2011, 10:19:02 AM

Good Stuff Mike.  ^^^


Agree with Nino, awesome stuff !  ^^^
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Redback on April 27, 2011, 10:40:06 AM
Excellent work!,

Red

Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 03, 2011, 07:28:52 PM
A small update

The assembly manual is now finished (50 pages chocka with pictures and diagrams) as is all the other paperwork. As a point of interest we estimate assembly time to be 10~12 hours without rushing.

We are assembling the first batch of 20 kits right NOW! We are still waiting on a few parts to arrive and that could take another week or possibly two depending on the post.

I will assemble a third board in a day or so using 2716's and use it in my Bally Space Invaders as that is about the only configuration we haven't actually assembled and tested. I don't forsee any issues however.

We have decided the kits will include ALL small parts:

All resistors (including 2 of them upgraded to 1W and 2W)
All capacitors inc greencap, ceramic and electro
All transistors/diodes & LED
All 'hardware' parts such as connectors/turned pin sockets/test points/LED spacer/2W resistor spacer eyelets
Chokes/4 x 8 way DIP switches/CR2032 holder & batt/memory switch/reset sw/NEW test jumper lead

Basically EVERY part needed to assemble a fully functional PCB but less EPROMS and ALL I.C's

I have all I.C's in stock so they are available as people need them including the 'add-on' Oscillator board as a seperate 'mini-kit'.

OK - "how much" I hear you asking.............

This has yet to be 100% confirmed but I'm pretty confident it will be right:

1 X MPU kit as described above with instructions & inc post (in Australia) $129.00
add-on oscillator kit (when purchased with an MPU kit) $15.00


COMPLETE kit including all I.C's except EPROMS $185.00 in 6800 version or $170 in 6802 version.

EPROMS (programmed with software as requested) $14 each for NEW 2716 - $15 each for NEW 2732 or $10 each for used (either type).


(http://www.homepin.com/pics/mpu_assembled.jpg)

Note the NEW red test lead that we supply (new test points built in and supplied) - this lead makes it easy for bench testing to generate the seventh pulse.
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: ddstoys on May 03, 2011, 07:33:08 PM
That's a great price Mike well done
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: pinnies4me on May 04, 2011, 12:39:57 AM
Makes me wanna buy a dead Bally just   to be able to use one of these Mike!!
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on May 04, 2011, 02:23:36 PM

Amazing job Mike.

One question (as I seemed to have missed this) - The board has provisions for a single 5101 - looking at the pics, there's no provision for the second 5101 for MPU-200 boards ?
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 04, 2011, 03:30:16 PM

Amazing job Mike.

One question (as I seemed to have missed this) - The board has provisions for a single 5101 - looking at the pics, there's no provision for the second 5101 for MPU-200 boards ?

Yes, that is 100% my error. I didn't have a Stern board to check so we overlooked the second RAM.

So, obviously it won't do the job in place of an MPU200 as it stands but I am working on a plug in daughterboard for it.

I see most people using it for Bally - 35 replacement and we only have 100 boards so we can work that into the next batch



Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on May 04, 2011, 03:52:55 PM

Amazing job Mike.

One question (as I seemed to have missed this) - The board has provisions for a single 5101 - looking at the pics, there's no provision for the second 5101 for MPU-200 boards ?

Yes, that is 100% my error. I didn't have a Stern board to check so we overlooked the second RAM.

So, obviously it won't do the job in place of an MPU200 as it stands but I am working on a plug in daughterboard for it.

I see most people using it for Bally - 35 replacement and we only have 100 boards so we can work that into the next batch





I've heard of a 6116 being used in a vacant 24 pin socket to replace both 5101 CMOS RAM. I think I read somewhere that a MPU-100 can be successfully converted to a MPU-200 using a 6116. This would be a fantastic result, as MPU-200 need two 5101 CMOS rated at exactly the same speed to work properly.

Might be worth looking into for the next revision of your board ?

Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 04, 2011, 04:03:35 PM
Yes, we are probably looking at incorporating the mod shown here:

http://warpzonearcade.com/?p=392
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: radirgyman on May 04, 2011, 05:32:14 PM
+1
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 05, 2011, 03:14:29 PM
OK - I'm pretty sure we have resolved the "dual 5101 RAM" issues as used on a Stern MPU200.

We designed up two adaptors.

One allows the use of a 6116 RAM on any Bally board that has a single 5105.

The other board allows the use of a 6116 on a Stern MPU200 with 2 X 5101 RAMs.

Basically we took the info from here: http://warpzonearcade.com/?p=392

and tweaked it to suit our boards and made it a lot neater.

They both would plug directly into the empty "U5" position on the MPU and have 3 short wires coming from them.

Next board run we will knock up a couple and give them a try.

(http://www.homepin.com/pics/1_5101.jpg)

(http://www.homepin.com/pics/2_5101.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on May 05, 2011, 06:06:42 PM

Good one Mike !

So in theory, an Stern MPU-100 could be converted to a Stern MPU-200 with the 6116 adapter (and jumper settings etc etc) ?
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 05, 2011, 06:29:57 PM

Good one Mike !

So in theory, an Stern MPU-100 could be converted to a Stern MPU-200 with the 6116 adapter (and jumper settings etc etc) ?

Yes, very simple.
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on May 05, 2011, 06:38:54 PM

Good one Mike !

So in theory, an Stern MPU-100 could be converted to a Stern MPU-200 with the 6116 adapter (and jumper settings etc etc) ?

Yes, very simple.

This is a GREAT feature that will allow older boards that have not suffered corrosion to be used in later games. I'm pleased to hear that - well done !
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 08, 2011, 07:33:54 PM
I made up some daughter boards today to test out the 6116 RAM substitution and it works PERFECTLY!

I haven't yet plugged it into a machine but the MPU won't pass the RAM test if all is not well.

(http://www.homepin.com/pics/6116pcbs.jpg)

(http://www.homepin.com/pics/6116installed.jpg)

(http://www.homepin.com/pics/6116running.jpg)
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Retropin on May 08, 2011, 07:40:10 PM
REALLY looking forward to getting my hands on one of these Mike... is a great thing you have done here   @@* ^^^ @@*
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: ktm450 on May 09, 2011, 10:05:49 AM
Amazing work Mike!  ^^^
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Strangeways on May 09, 2011, 10:19:52 AM

I'm looking forward to the pricing confirmation with the changes (addition of the 6116 as an option).

Mike - what about the option to include a full set of .100 pins and connector housings ? J4 is almost always dodgy due to corrosion sometimes running up the connector and affecting the pins. Just a suggestion.
Title: Re: I'm wrapped! The Bally/Stern MPU project is now REAL!
Post by: Homepin on May 09, 2011, 11:09:48 AM

I'm looking forward to the pricing confirmation with the changes (addition of the 6116 as an option).

Mike - what about the option to include a full set of .100 pins and connector housings ? J4 is almost always dodgy due to corrosion sometimes running up the connector and affecting the pins. Just a suggestion.

I agree and I did enquire of my supplier about these housings. Problem is minimum order is 10K pins and bags of 5000 housings. I had to stop somewhere so at this stage there are no plans to offer the plugs. That may change in the future if my supplier has a change of heart or I can get them elsewhere in more sensible quantities.

The 6116 add-on won't cost much. the chips are pretty cheap and you don't need a 5105 so probably only about $15 extra??