Intellivision:Power Connector Mod
 | Note that the power cord you will be splicing in carries line voltage. Make absolutely sure that your splice does not have exposed wiring, is kept away from the power supply board and motherboard, and that both sides of the cord are isolated from each other. |
The original Intellivision console has an internal power supply with a hardwired power cord, which can be pushed back inside the console for storage or reducing cable clutter. However, this power cord may not be long enough for some people's needs and is at risk from damage. It is possible to replace this power cord with an IEC C8 connector, which is used on a wide variety of devices including most modern game consoles. The easiest way to accomplish this is to splice a C8 extension cable to the existing power cable, as it does not require any case modification or extra hardware.
This modification also applies to the Sears Super Video Arcade, GTE/Sylvania Intellivision, Tandyvision One and INTV consoles (System III and Super Pro System). Note that PAL Intellivision consoles already have a C8 connector so this modification is redundant on those consoles.
Materials and Tools
- Materials
- Leaded solder
- Heat shrink (mixed sizes)
- IEC C8 extension cable (these can be found from a variety of sources such as Amazon or eBay)
- Tools
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Soldering iron
- Wire strippers
- Flush cutters
- Hot air gun
- Razor blade (optional but recommended)
- Helping hands (optional but recommended)
Procedure
- Turn the console over and remove the six screws that hold the case together.
- Remove the top case and carefully feed the controllers through their holes. Remove the cover for the power switch.
- Disconnect the three sets of cables going to the power supply board and remove the two screws on the board. Remove it and set it aside.
- Measure about 5 or 6 inches from where the power cord is attached to the transformer, then cut off the power cord.
- Do not throw away the rest of the power cord as it may be useful for other things!
- Pull apart the two wires of the power cord. If you are having difficulty with this, use a razor blade to carefully split them apart. Peel them apart so each individual wire is about an inch long before they join together.
- Strip about 1/4" and tin each wire of the power cord. Cut an appropriate length of heat shrink for each wire and slip them on, making sure they are away from the tinned end.
- Take a C8 extension cable and cut off the female end. Strip back about 1/2" of the outer jacket and then strip and tin the individual wires inside.
- Feed the cut-off end of the extension cable all the way through the power cord hole.
- Cut a large piece of heat shrink so it covers the entire splice, and slide it over the cut-off end of the C8 extension cable.
- Solder each wire of the extension cable to the original power cord. Make sure the solder joints are strong and can resist being pulled on.
- Pull the small pieces of heat shrink you placed on the power cord earlier and make sure they cover each solder joint. Use a hot air gun on low heat (100-150 C) to activate the heat shrink.
- Pull the large piece of heat shrink over the splice and use a hot air gun to activate the heat shrink.
- For added security, unscrew the transformer from the bottom case and wrap part of the power cord around one of its screw bosses, then screw the transformer back in.
- Reassemble the Intellivision to where it can be tested. Plug an appropriate power cord into the new connector and power on the console. If the Intellivision continues to function normally, finish reassembling the console.