Extension cable question

[ddaniels]

I own a USA Turbografx 16.  Where can I find extension cables for the game controllers?  I checked ebay and noticed one for sale but it was from Europe plus it was expensive ($22).  Is there an online retailer that I could check?

Thanks

[savageone]

I ordered some extension cables for Duo controllers at monoprice, I think it was about 6 bucks for two of them.. They are beige colored but they work great none the less. Not sure if they will have the cable you need for the original TG16 but they have tons of cables so odds are they will.

[ddaniels]

Is the Duo controller the same as the TG16 controller?  Could I just use the same cable that you ordered?  I went to monoprice and sent them an email about an extension cable for the TG16 controller.

Thanks

[nectarsis]

Duo controller ports are a different size than the regular TG.  No clue if Monoprice has anything compatible with the TG,

[Mathius]

Duo controller ports are a different size than the regular TG.  No clue if Monoprice has anything compatible with the TG,

They do not. They are computer cords that just happen to be compatible with the Turbo Duo.

I own a USA Turbografx 16.  Where can I find extension cables for the game controllers?  I checked ebay and noticed one for sale but it was from Europe plus it was expensive ($22).  Is there an online retailer that I could check?

Thanks

The ones from Europe are the only way to get an extension cord that I know of. I had to import mine from Sweden, and it only cost be about $20 incl. shipping. It was brand new too I would do it again if I needed to.

[TheClash603]

I picked up two TG extension cords for $5 each about a year ago on ebay, complete in package.  I wouldn't pay too much, I thought they were fairly common.

One piece of BS, you can't connect the extension to the system to make your turbo tap extended range, so you need to buy 5 if you want 5 long controllers.

[RoyVegas]

so you need to buy 5 if you want 5 long controllers.

This is what I did.

[Arkhan Asylum]

buy or find two tg16 pads.

cut the cable off of one at the controller-part, and then cut the connector off the other one.


match the colors and tape it back together.



Me and a friend both did this no problem.



There is a chance it wont work though.   The one type of controller was kinda cheap when cut open , and the wiring/insulation felt cheap/useless.

That one didn't work with the splicing.

The rest did.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Rather than ruining two controllers with Arkhan's ghetto solution, I'd go to a place like Digi-Key and buy the connectors (male and female) and make my own extension, but that's just me.  Some people want things neat and orderly and some people would rather MacGyver something together with duct tape and chewing gum.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Rather than ruining two controllers with Arkhan's ghetto solution, I'd go to a place like Digi-Key and buy the connectors (male and female) and make my own extension, but that's just me.  Some people want things neat and orderly and some people would rather MacGyver something together with duct tape and chewing gum.

yeah, buying the connectors and stuff also works, but hey! when you got a few goony spare TG-16 pads layin' around, and some scissors...

the possibilities are endless!

[kattare]

One piece of BS, you can't connect the extension to the system to make your turbo tap extended range, so you need to buy 5 if you want 5 long controllers.

Huhwhat?

I didn't believe it, as I had done it before, so I had to put it to a definitive test.  ;-)

Turns out I was able to connect my TG tap (w/ 5 pads) through an extension and play Bomberman me vs me vs me vs me vs me just fine.  Ditto for pads -> tap -> extension -> duo converter -> duo.

Am I missing something?

Rather than ruining two controllers with Arkhan's ghetto solution, I'd go to a place like Digi-Key and buy the connectors (male and female) and make my own extension, but that's just me.  Some people want things neat and orderly and some people would rather MacGyver something together with duct tape and chewing gum.

I have the connectors on hand and can make custom cables if wanted.  Prolly be ~$15/ea plus shipping. ($3?)

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Huhwhat?

I didn't believe it, as I had done it before, so I had to put it to a definitive test.  ;-)

Turns out I was able to connect my TG tap (w/ 5 pads) through an extension and play Bomberman me vs me vs me vs me vs me just fine.  Ditto for pads -> tap -> extension -> duo converter -> duo.

Am I missing something?

Also speaking from first hand experience, though I can't remember which games I tried, some games will not function correctly with an extension cord on the tap.

I have the connectors on hand and can make custom cables if wanted.  Prolly be ~$15/ea plus shipping. ($3?)

Not to pee on your parade or anything, but they can be had on ebay for about $10 shipped.

[nat]

Huhwhat?

I didn't believe it, as I had done it before, so I had to put it to a definitive test.  ;-)

Turns out I was able to connect my TG tap (w/ 5 pads) through an extension and play Bomberman me vs me vs me vs me vs me just fine.  Ditto for pads -> tap -> extension -> duo converter -> duo.

Am I missing something?

Also speaking from first hand experience, though I can't remember which games I tried, some games will not function correctly with an extension cord on the tap.

Dungeon Explorer.

Also, at least one of the Bomberman games (maybe all?) doesn't work like this either. It'll appear to work in a test like the one kattare described, but if you press a button then you start controlling someone else's avatar while the button is pressed or something to that effect. Long story short: it doesn't work in any kind of playable fashion.

[RoyVegas]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Turbo-Grafx-Controller-Extension-Cable-6ft-New-/300429789096?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_VintageComputing_RL&hash=item45f302c7a8

This is who I got mine from, and he WILL combine shipping.

[kattare]

Not to pee on your parade or anything, but they can be had on ebay for about $10 shipped.

Pee away.  I don't exactly enjoy making them, they're a pain in the ass.  Nor is it exactly a big money maker.  More of a offer from one hobbiest to another that if you can't find a cable elsewhere, I'm willing to assist.

edit / add

It occurs to me that there are other benefits to having a custom one made.  Like a cord length improvement... up to about 20' with what I have on hand.  Cheers.

[kattare]

Dungeon Explorer.

Also, at least one of the Bomberman games (maybe all?) doesn't work like this either. It'll appear to work in a test like the one kattare described, but if you press a button then you start controlling someone else's avatar while the button is pressed or something to that effect. Long story short: it doesn't work in any kind of playable fashion.

Has anyone done testing to figure out the cause?

- A flaw in the official NEC extension cables?  (perhaps intentional, forcing the purchase of 5 extensions instead of 1?)
- A limitation of cord/signal length?

How does the problem manifest itself on DE?  Maybe I could do some testing with an official vs. unofficial (homemade) cable and see if the problem persists...

[DragonmasterDan]

Dungeon Explorer.

Also, at least one of the Bomberman games (maybe all?) doesn't work like this either. It'll appear to work in a test like the one kattare described, but if you press a button then you start controlling someone else's avatar while the button is pressed or something to that effect. Long story short: it doesn't work in any kind of playable fashion.

Has anyone done testing to figure out the cause?

- A flaw in the official NEC extension cables?  (perhaps intentional, forcing the purchase of 5 extensions instead of 1?)
- A limitation of cord/signal length?

How does the problem manifest itself on DE?  Maybe I could do some testing with an official vs. unofficial (homemade) cable and see if the problem persists...

I've seen basically the identical problem, but the issue was the turbo/duo tap rather than the extension cable.

[nat]

Right, I think the problem is actually in the TurboTap itself but only manifests if you use an extension cable between the Tap and the Turbo.

[VestCunt]

IIRC, official TG16 Extensions Cables and official TG16->Duo Controller Converters work fine downstream from a Turbo Tap (I haven't tested this for about two years).  The problem occurs when using the grey computer cords to extend a Duo Tap.  TTI never made official Duo extensions.  The grey cables have also malfunctioned when playing with 6-button controllers/games, further demonstrating that they're not really a perfect match for our needs.  It doesn't matter what game you're playing, it's a wiring problem, not a software problem.

So, go buy an extra controller and use Nat's guide to swap the cable with your Tap:  https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2893.msg36307#msg36307

You don't have to cut or splice anything, just use a screwdriver and switch a couple wires around.  This gives you a 4-5' Tap. 

  Tips from the Pros
If you modify a Duo Tap, take the old twelve-inch cable from the Tap and put it on the controller you just cannibalized (switching a couple wires back).  Take the now foot-long Duo Pad and put a shitty grey computer cable extender on that for ever and ever.  This way the controller is still useful and the grey extender won't mess up a simple 2-button pad!!!  Whoa! Gnarly! 

TurboSticks had longer cables than Turbo Pads.  Put a Turbo Stick cable on your Turbo Tap for a 8' extension!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Tonar!

Near the end of their original ownership, TZD had cables made so they could convert Turbo Pads into Duo Pads.  These were sold as "Duo Controller Kits" that included a Turbo Pad w/original cable plus one of the newly-made, aftermarket Duo cables that were about 18" longer than traditional Duo cables!  Track down one of these bad boys for a six-foot Duo Tap!!!!  Wicked!


EDIT:  Fixed some measurement estimates

[nat]

IIRC, official TG16 Extensions Cables and official TG16->Duo Controller Converters work fine downstream from a Turbo Tap (I haven't tested this for about two years).  The problem occurs when using the grey computer cords to extend a Duo Tap.

This isn't accurate, since I only own official TG-16 extension cables and I have the problem any time I try to use the cable downstream from the Tap.

[henrycsc]

I haven't tested the upstream/downstream either but I always had a problem connecting the official TG extension with the tap on the Turbografx w/CD attachment or TG16.  I will try to confirm if upstream/downstream makes a difference.

[nat]

It isn't really necessary as we've been down this road many times, so let me say one more time.....

Extension between tap and system = bad
Extension between controller and tap = good

Is it just me or do we have like three of these threads going simultaneously right now?