MSX FLEX project

Guardian (3603)

07-04-2019, 00:35

The new project has been started by RBSC. It is called "FLexible EXtender", FLEX in short. The project is aimed to extend any 50-pin MSX cartridge slot into one 50-pin and one 60-pin. Of course only one extension may be used at a time. I am not sure what the demand will be, but I know that from time to time it's good to have such a thing. The prices for the original UCN-01 are crazy and it is hard to find. So FLEX should be the good alternative. The cables' length will be around 25-30cm - this should be enough for most of applications.

Project status: pre-prototyping.
The boards and 3D models of all 3 cases are ready and need to be made/ordered. I will keep this topic updated.

By Grauw

Ascended (10768)

07-04-2019, 01:43

Awesome! I definitely have interest . 50-to-50 pin primarily, since I already happen to have a UCN-01. The 50-to-50 pin cable will be very useful for slot expander users, who own a slot expander without extension cable like the Modulon.

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3603)

07-04-2019, 02:49

Just to clarify - there will be BOTH 50 and 60 pin extenders connected to the FLEX by default. So that either one could be used and you don't need 2 separate sets of adapters. However I can make custom 50-50 or 50-60 extenders if there's a request. I expect to have up to 8 extenders available for sale.

By sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3954)

07-04-2019, 07:41

Hi Alexey, I think it would be nice if the end (where the 50 and 60 pin slot are would be connected by flat cable (scsi like) connector and 50/60 pin part were interchangeable (so you could connect 1 at a time).

I am in either way

By DRomero

Expert (126)

07-04-2019, 10:16

Interested too

Mostly as a extension cable for the Modulon

By syn

Prophet (2123)

07-04-2019, 10:47

Interested

By msxtrd

Champion (274)

07-04-2019, 11:46

Sign me up

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3603)

07-04-2019, 22:30

I redesigned the project so that the modules could be connected to the cartridge part either together or separately. Each module will have its own ribbon cable with the connector. The connector will be plugged into the cartridge module. There won't be another connector on the adapter modules. This is done to reduce costs and poor connections because of too many sockets. The other end of the cable will be soldered to the board with the crimping male connector.

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3603)

07-04-2019, 22:56

What would be the preferred cable length? I am thinking of 30cm maximum to avoid interference.

By sdsnatcher73

Prophet (3954)

08-04-2019, 15:55

30 cm sounds fine, how long is the UCN-1 cable? I guess that is is similar in length...

By Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3603)

10-04-2019, 12:25

Ok, I updated the renders with the modifications I made for the cartridge part and the 50-pin adapter. I had to redesign it a bit because I didn't like how it holds the cartridge after the case was printed.

The project will be opensource, by the way.