FOR SALE - Williams Robotron/Joust/etc. NVRAM module PCB's

[philmurr]

Hi all -

Not wanting to spend £20+ per module importing them from the US, I've designed a PCB for an NVRAM board for Williams Joust, Robotron, Sinistar, Splat, Bubbles, etc. (NOT Defender)

It uses the Dallas DS1220AD nonvolatile RAM (which have had a fair bit of bad press but are great to use, and will also work with the MK48Z02).  It has a jumper to select 2 sets of high scores and settings, and pads to connect the additional data lines for Bubbles which uses 8-bit RAM.  You'll also need a socket for the CPU board, socket for the NVRAM, PCB headers, a resistor, optional capacitor and a jumper.  Takes about 15 minutes to assemble.

I've a load of PCB's left over so selling them for £2.70 per PCB (plus postage from UK).

You can get the Dallas module on ebay for less than £10 so you should have a fully working module for much less than bringing one in from the US.

[level42]

Or you simply install a CR2032 battery....

[Wurstkopp]

Wish it was that easy. My Robotron keeps resetting the highscores after 10+ plays...

[philmurr]

Wish it was that easy. My Robotron keeps resetting the highscores after 10+ plays...

Measure the voltage at the RAM (across pins 9 & 18) during the game and with the game powered off.

Usual suspects are power, battery, RAM or blocking diode

[level42]

May not have been too clear in my post, I'm not out here to bust this product....it's a great alternative and the price is excellent if installing a battery directly to the PCB isn't your thing

[philmurr]

May not have been too clear in my post, I'm not out here to bust this product....it's a great alternative and the price is excellent if installing a battery directly to the PCB isn't your thing

No problem.  Just to add that this module will also survive the fitting of a switching PSU that often creates problems when used with Williams games.

[Wurstkopp]

I'm in for one.