Famicom Disc System Question

[Mathius]

Does anyone here know if an original model FDS will hook up to a Sharp Twin Fami??? My disc drive side is dead (arrived that way).

One of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-Entertainment-Famicom-Disk-System-Game-console-/140503074341?pt=Video_Games&hash=item20b6a2c625

[RR1980]

I think so but I have never tried that myself tho. What's wrong with the disk side on your twin fami? broken belt?

[Mathius]

See the f'd up spring towards the center? That, along with the belt, needs repaired/replaced.

[RR1980]

aww that sucks those famicom disk systems just weren't built to last :S

[SignOfZeta]

I don't understand your question. The Famicom Twin already has a disc drive, why would it allow you to hook another drive up do it?

That rubber belt is what craps on all FDS systems. There has to be someplace out there to get a new one. The spring...you can figure something out with that. Its just a spring.

[SuperDeadite]

You can buy FDS belts on ebay for $10.  A normal FDS will work with a Twin, though it defeats the purpose of owning a Twin.  You can plug the RAM cart in the slot like a normal Famicom.  In "cart mode" a twin is just a standard Fami.

[Mathius]

Yeah, the belts are crap on all Disc Systems. I have already sent the system out for repair before and the spring couldn't be repaired. Zeta, I am figuring if I can get a regular Disc System on the cheap it'll save me some cash compared to getting a new Twin Fami.

[SignOfZeta]

You're going to buy an entire disc system and leave yours unused because you can't replace that stupid little spring?

It can't be that hard to find a spring like that. Don't give up!

[Mathius]

The last guy I talked to about replacing the spring made it sound like it was a big deal. Maybe not???

[SignOfZeta]

Its just a spring! It isn't not like its some fancy proprietary video chip. Maybe you can't easily find the exact same thing, but it doesn't have to be. There have to be thousands of things that would substitute. I'd look in junked out automatic turntables, CD/LD players, etc. With some TLC you might even be able to replace that very spring. It doesn't have to be all that precisely calibrated.

[ccovell]

Honestly, replacing the spring is a bit of a big deal, as it can't have too much tension (or too little), or else the head will spring back too quickly or too slowly, messing up the timing.  The belt & gear positions inside also screw up the timing if you disassemble the whole thing.  I hate the FDS.

Anyway, if you have a working FDS drive, yes, you can just replace the whole drive in the Twin Fami.

[Mathius]

Honestly, replacing the spring is a bit of a big deal, as it can't have too much tension (or too little), or else the head will spring back too quickly or too slowly, messing up the timing.  The belt & gear positions inside also screw up the timing if you disassemble the whole thing.  I hate the FDS.

Anyway, if you have a working FDS drive, yes, you can just replace the whole drive in the Twin Fami.

That honestly never occurred to me to actually take the old drive out and swap it in with an original model's guts. I'd probably be too afraid to do something like that, so I might just stick with the original plan.

[nikdog]

Honestly, replacing the spring is a bit of a big deal, as it can't have too much tension (or too little), or else the head will spring back too quickly or too slowly, messing up the timing.  The belt & gear positions inside also screw up the timing if you disassemble the whole thing.  I hate the FDS.

Anyway, if you have a working FDS drive, yes, you can just replace the whole drive in the Twin Fami.

That honestly never occurred to me to actually take the old drive out and swap it in with an original model's guts. I'd probably be too afraid to do something like that, so I might just stick with the original plan.

You could also swap the springs

But IMO it probably would be easier to swap drives.

[Mathius]

Honestly, replacing the spring is a bit of a big deal, as it can't have too much tension (or too little), or else the head will spring back too quickly or too slowly, messing up the timing.  The belt & gear positions inside also screw up the timing if you disassemble the whole thing.  I hate the FDS.

Anyway, if you have a working FDS drive, yes, you can just replace the whole drive in the Twin Fami.

That honestly never occurred to me to actually take the old drive out and swap it in with an original model's guts. I'd probably be too afraid to do something like that, so I might just stick with the original plan.

You could also swap the springs

But IMO it probably would be easier to swap drives.

I may have to get some genius here to do it.

[SignOfZeta]

PM me.

[Mathius]

PM me.

I will when I get the goodies. Not sure when that will be...

Edit: Unless you are willing to tackle the spring situation.

[TheClash603]

I have a Twin Famicom that will power up and it works perfectly, but once you turn it off, you have to wait several hours before it will turn on again.  This is fine for playing the occasional disk game, but you better hope those carts read correctly the first time you try them, because you only get one shot.

It all happened when I accidentally plugged the thing into the step-up side of my converter.

[SignOfZeta]

PM me.

I will when I get the goodies. Not sure when that will be...

Edit: Unless you are willing to tackle the spring situation.

Well I'll tell you what, buy the extra drive, ship me both units, and I'll see if I can fix the spring. If i can't, I'll transfer the good drive into the Twin and buy the junk FD system off you.

[Mathius]

PM me.

I will when I get the goodies. Not sure when that will be...

Edit: Unless you are willing to tackle the spring situation.

Well I'll tell you what, buy the extra drive, ship me both units, and I'll see if I can fix the spring. If i can't, I'll transfer the good drive into the Twin and buy the junk FD system off you.

Sounds like a plan. I'll contact you soonish.

[nikdog]

I have a Twin Famicom that will power up and it works perfectly, but once you turn it off, you have to wait several hours before it will turn on again.  This is fine for playing the occasional disk game, but you better hope those carts read correctly the first time you try them, because you only get one shot.

It all happened when I accidentally plugged the thing into the step-up side of my converter.

The twin uses a power adapter right? (It's been 3 years since I demo'd a twin for Rising Stuff.) You might just need a new adaptor. You may also need a new voltage regulator in the twin.

[TheClash603]

I have a Twin Famicom that will power up and it works perfectly, but once you turn it off, you have to wait several hours before it will turn on again.  This is fine for playing the occasional disk game, but you better hope those carts read correctly the first time you try them, because you only get one shot.

It all happened when I accidentally plugged the thing into the step-up side of my converter.

The twin uses a power adapter right? (It's been 3 years since I demo'd a twin for Rising Stuff.) You might just need a new adaptor. You may also need a new voltage regulator in the twin.

I have a second system, I can try to switch the A/C and see what happens.  An easy fix would be awesome. Voltage regulator?  That's too much for me to handle.

[Mathius]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220765816482&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Would this be all I need for the transfer??? Seems like it would be perfect! Zeta are you still in???

[Opethian]

looks like the spring in the bare drive is good but youll hae to take it apart to install the belt. not a bad price for a drive but shipping argh

[Mathius]

looks like the spring in the bare drive is good but youll hae to take it apart to install the belt. not a bad price for a drive but shipping argh

I won't be doing the belt install because I'd destroy the pretty thing. I am hoping Zeta, or one of my other friends here, will help out with everything.

[Mathius]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220765816482&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Would this be all I need for the transfer??? Seems like it would be perfect! Zeta are you still in???

Bought it!