SG-1000 cartridge and keyboard adapters for Master System

**Lum** · 06-30-2012

Hey... Ideas how expensive these might be to build? I've thought about commissioning it.

This should be doable based on the pinouts. But I'm not sure if they work in practice.
I haven't actually witnessed even the most primitive proof-of-concept attempted.
Let alone commercial units. There isn't just enough market for its cost/effort.

So the two most realistic ways my curiosity will get answered is create one, or hire somebody to.
I think it's better we're all spared the electrical tape Cthulhu horrors what I'd hack up may resemble!

**Jamtex** · 06-30-2012

I am sure there have been SG100/MK3 adapters for the Master System but it is better to have a Japanese Master System and have a Western adapter, or have both consoles as there are some western MS games thatn wont work on the MK3/JMS and SG-1000 cards wont work on the MS without a BIOS upgrade.

**Lum** · 06-30-2012

Well yes. That's the common approach. I won't learn anything new by doing what everyone else does.

If my assertion is right, this will advance research into the Master System.

**Lum** · 07-11-2012

What about setting up a fundraiser? Should I alone finance development, parts, labor, and assembly of this, it's going to be a one-off for my personal use. :)
More interested people might lower total cost per user.

**Lum** · 07-31-2012

OK. No response answers that question. Time to move the project along, I've now ordered an SG-1000 slot connector (346-044-520-202 EDAC).

**Bad_Ad84** · 07-31-2012

Its going to cost you like price of a connector, a donor cart and paying someone like $20 to solder it together....

I dont see why this seems to be portrayed as a big deal...?

As far I looked into it - there is no logic involved, its just wiring from 1 edge connector to another.

**Lum** · 07-31-2012

Since I don't know about a recorded previous attempt, I wasn't sure about its price.

But you have a point. Again I overlooked a conclusion that most people might've reached way sooner. Taking on this project will obviously itself tell me how much I've spent, doh! I can help all of us by just making the total cost public knowledge as I go along.

So on that note, this far:
$8 shipped- After Burner Mark III cartridge (to test the adapter)
$12.93 shipped- 44 pin connector

**Bad_Ad84** · 07-31-2012

Obviously mass producing the item a donor cart is unacceptable. But for a one off or a prototype - its the sensible way to do it.

**Lum** · 07-31-2012

Yeah I can't say this doesn't exist. I'm only temporarily calling it a prototype until I discover otherwise.

**Bad_Ad84** · 07-31-2012

I am not arguing with calling it a prototype.

Even if it already exists - if you (or someone else) is creating it without following a guide - I would call it a prototype to test the theory. If you wanted to make a batch - I couldnt agree with using donor carts, you would need to get a pcb made really. But as I said, for the one off to confirm it works - using a donor is the way to go IMO.

**Lum** · 07-31-2012

True, a blank board will cost more than a nasty sports game. I didn't get much comment suggesting the idea earlier.

Donor doesn't even have to work. The prototype could cut all traces at the bottom pins, then wire them directly to the connector slot's feet.