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ColecoVision Expansion Module 3

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ColecoVision Expansion Module 3
ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 set-up (check-out guide drawing)
Coleco's set-up drawing for Expansion Module #3: printer, memory console with the ColecoVision behind it, keyboard, controller holder and TV switch box. No freely licensed photograph of an Expansion Module #3 has been found.
Manufacturer Coleco Industries
Type Computer expansion: Adam memory console, keyboard and SmartWRITER printer
Interface Expansion Module Interface on the front of the ColecoVision, through the Adam interconnect board[1]
Compatible ColecoVision[1]
Power Adam linear power supply in the SmartWRITER printer; the ColecoVision's own supply is not used[2][3]

The ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 (Expansion Module #3) is the form of the Coleco Adam computer sold to people who already owned a ColecoVision. It consists of the Adam memory console, keyboard and SmartWRITER printer with their cables; the memory console attaches to the front of the ColecoVision, and the console's own processor, video and sound circuits do the work that the complete Adam does on its CPU board.[1] Once connected, the two models of the Adam are essentially identical in function.[1] The printer houses the power supply for the whole system, ColecoVision included.[2][3]

Care is on ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 General Maintenance, fault-finding on ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 Troubleshooting Guide and capacitors on ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 Capacitor Replacement Guide. The memory console, keyboard, data drives and printer are the same units as in the complete Adam, so much of their detail is on the Coleco Adam pages.

History

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Coleco sold the Adam both as a complete system and as Expansion Module #3 for the ColecoVision. Wikipedia describes the add-on as a less expensive version that delivered on Coleco's launch promise that ColecoVision owners would one day be able to upgrade the console to a computer.[4] Coleco discontinued the Adam in January 1985.[4] CBS Electronics sold it in the UK, where its owner's manual covered setting up Expansion Module 3 with a CBS ColecoVision.[5]

Wikipedia states that with Expansion Module #3 fitted the ColecoVision's internal 8 KB ROM is ignored. Coleco's Technical Reference Manual instead places the OS 7 ROM for Expansion Module #3 in the ColecoVision: the complete Adam carries its own copy, and the module uses the console's.[1][6]

How it attaches

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ColecoVision Expansion Module 3 tray and memory console (CBS owners manual drawing)
CBS's drawings: the ColecoVision on the plastic tray, and the memory console being slid into it.

The ColecoVision stands on a plastic tray supplied with the module, with clips at the front and back. The Expansion Module Interface door on the front of the console is lifted until it stays open, and the memory console slides into the ColecoVision. Coleco calls this a safety measure that stops the ColecoVision's own power source being used with the Adam and locks the two units together. The ColecoVision's supply is unplugged and put away; it is not used with Expansion Module #3.[3][5]

Inside, the ColecoVision board and the Adam memory and I/O board are joined by two 30-pin ribbon cables, a dual 30-pin card edge connector and the interconnect board, which runs from J1 on the memory and I/O board to the ColecoVision's expansion port. Many lines pass straight through. The address lines and the Z80 control lines are buffered, and the data lines are buffered in both directions.[1] The interconnect board's drawing, Coleco 41840, shows a 74LS245 for the data bus and three 74LS541s for the address and control lines, with the +12 V, −5 V and +5 V rails carried on pins 57, 60, 58 and 59 of the edge connection, the same pins the ColecoVision uses for them.[7][8]

The picture comes from the ColecoVision's RF output: with Expansion Module #3 the switch box cable goes to the ColecoVision, not to the memory console. Expansion Module #3 has no composite video output, so it cannot drive a monitor.[2][1]

Accessories and other modules

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  • ColecoVision Expansion Module 1 has to come off: Coleco's check-out guide tells owners to switch off and disconnect it if a picture does not appear.[2]
  • The ColecoVision Roller Controller takes its power through the console's power socket, which is not available with Expansion Module #3. Coleco mailed an adapter to owners who complained.[9] Its owner's manual supplement describes the ADAM adapter.[10]
  • ColecoVision game cartridges go in with the system switched off. CBS warns that inserting one while the computer is on can cause permanent damage.[5]

Documentation

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Coleco Industries, ADAM Technical Reference Manual, Preliminary Release: chapter 1 (two models, the complete system and Expansion Module #3, "essentially identical in function" once the memory console is connected to a ColecoVision, PDF p. 8; Figure 1-2, Expansion Module #3 set-up diagram, PDF p. 11); section 2.4, "Differences of Expansion Module #3" (PDF pp. 41-42: memory console, keyboard, printer and cables; the memory console attaches to the ColecoVision; the owner supplies the TV; the equivalent of the CPU board is housed in the ColecoVision; no composite video output, so a monitor cannot be used; no joystick controllers or antenna switch box in the package; the ColecoVision board and the memory and I/O board joined by two 30-pin ribbon cables, a dual 30-pin card edge connector and the interconnect board, between J1 on the memory and I/O board and the ColecoVision's expansion port; address and control lines buffered, the data lines buffered both ways; the clock from pin 40 of the ColecoVision board to pin 45 of the memory and I/O board); memory options (PDF p. 51: OS 7, the 8K ROM in the ColecoVision and the Adam, sits in the ColecoVision in Expansion Module #3); appendix 4.3, interconnect board schematic and component location drawing (PDF pp. 148-149). Hosted here as File:Coleco Adam Technical Reference Manual (Preliminary Release).pdf.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Coleco Industries, ADAM System Check-Out and Trouble-Shooting Guide, code 42464E, 1983: Fig. 2, Expansion Module #3 set-up procedure, p. 1B; caution list and step 1 of the check-out, p. 2; "if the computer does not come on", p. 3 (for Expansion Module #3 owners the ColecoVision power supply should not be plugged in and the ColecoVision ON/OFF switch should be off; the computer reset switch not stuck in the reset position; the printer's "computer" cable to the left side of the memory console; the coiled keyboard cable to the front); "if you do not see this picture", p. 4 (with Expansion Module #3 the cable from the switch box runs to the ColecoVision console; the channel switch on the back of the memory console or ColecoVision set to the TV's channel; turn the power off and disconnect Expansion Module #1 if present). Hosted here as File:Coleco Adam System Check-Out and Trouble-Shooting Guide 42464E.pdf.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 ADAM Family Computer System Set-Up Manual, revised edition, "Hooking Up Expansion Module #3 to Your ColecoVision Video Game System", pp. 21, 23 and 25 (PDF pp. 22, 24 and 26): TV off and cartridges removed; the ColecoVision's ON/OFF switch off; unplug the game system's power source and put it away, as it is not used with Expansion Module #3; place the ColecoVision on the plastic tray supplied, with the clips at the front and back snapped in; lift the Expansion Module Interface door until it stays open; slide the memory console into the ColecoVision, a safety measure to prevent the power source being used with the Adam and to lock the units together; the coiled keyboard cord to the front of the memory console; the game controller holder on the keyboard and controller 1 in it; the printer cord into the side of the memory console; the ColecoVision's video cable to the switch box; the printer's power cord into a 110/120 V outlet. Hosted here as File:Coleco Adam Family Computer System Set-Up Manual.pdf.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wikipedia, "Coleco Adam" (retrieved 2026-10-19), used for history only: the Adam sold both as a stand-alone system and as Expansion Module #3 for the ColecoVision; a less expensive version that plugged into a ColecoVision, fulfilling one of the console's launch commitments; the Adam discontinued in January 1985.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 CBS Electronics, CBS ADAM The Complete Computer System Owners Manual (UK, PAL), © 1984: setting up Expansion Module 3 with a CBS ColecoVision, pp. 6-7 (the plastic tray and its clips; the Expansion Module Interface door; sliding the memory console into the ColecoVision as a safety measure to prevent the ColecoVision's power source being used with the Adam and to lock the two together; keyboard cord, controller holder, printer cord into the left side of the memory console; the printer's power cord into a 240 V socket); the caution not to insert game cartridges while the computer is on, p. 8; troubleshooting chart, p. 9. Hosted here as File:CBS ADAM Owners Manual (UK).pdf.
  6. ↑ Wikipedia, "Coleco Adam" (retrieved 2026-10-19), "Main hardware": the expanded ColecoVision's internal 8 kB ROM and 1 kB of RAM described as ignored.
  7. ↑ Coleco Industries, Schematic, interconnect P.C. board with buffers, drawing 41840 revision F, 14 June 1983, "used on 2404": U1 74LS245, U2-U4 74LS541; edge connection J1 with +12 V on pin 57, −5 V on pin 60, +5 V on pins 58 and 59, ground on pins 1 and 2, BUSRQ on pin 11; C2 10 µF tantalum across +5 V; C3-C6 0.01 µF; C1 deleted. Sheet 4 of File:Coleco Adam Schematics.pdf; also File:Coleco Adam interconnect board schematic 41840 Rev F.png. Revision E is appendix 4.3 of the Technical Reference Manual.
  8. ↑ Colecovision Expansion and Cartridge Connectors, sheet 2 of the KiCad redrawing of the ColecoVision logic board, revision J (2021), author not recorded: the 60-way expansion edge connector with −5 V, +5 V and +12 V on its last pins and ground on pin 1. Hosted here as File:ColecoVision console schematic (KiCad redraw, rev J).pdf.
  9. ↑ Wikipedia, "ColecoVision" (retrieved 2026-10-19), used for history only: the Roller Controller's power connector not compatible with Expansion Module #3, and Coleco mailing an adapter to owners of both who complained.
  10. ↑ Coleco Industries, Roller Controller Owners Manual, Guide No. 91950, with Supplement No. 14310 for connecting the Roller Controller to the ADAM through the ADAM adapter. Hosted here as File:ColecoVision Roller Controller Owners Manual Guide 91950.pdf.


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