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Sears Super Video Arcade Capacitor Replacement Guide

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Intellivision Model 2609 power supply board schematic (Mattel)
Mattel's power supply board schematic for the Intellivision, model 2609, with the three electrolytics C1, C2 and C3. No Sears schematic has been published.[1]

No capacitor list has been published for the Sears Super Video Arcade itself. No Sears service manual has been found, and Mattel's two service manuals for the Intellivision, model 2609, do not mention the Sears version.[2] They are still the nearest source: Gordon Jennings's 1984 repair book treats the Super Video Arcade, the Intellivision and the Tandyvision as one design, with the same power supply, and Larry Anderson's FAQ calls the Sears console "functionally identical".[3][4] The values below are Mattel's for model 2609. Check each one against the part on your own board before ordering.

Where the faults are

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Jennings found that most power supply board faults on this group of consoles were in the two regulators, a 7805 and a 7812, or in "the two larger capacitors".[3] On Mattel's model 2609 board the regulators are U1 (µA7805) and U2 (LM340T12), and the two largest capacitors are C1 (10,000 µF) and C3 (2200 µF).[5] See Capacitor Failure Symptoms for what a failing electrolytic looks like.

Model 2609 power supply board electrolytics

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Electrolytics on Mattel's model 2609 power supply board, for comparison with a Super Video Arcade
Ref Value Rating Position on Mattel's schematic
C1 10,000 µF 16 V After the rectifiers CR1 and CR2, feeding the +5 V regulator U1
C2 100 µF 16 V On the −2.1 V supply
C3 2200 µF 25 V After the bridge CR5–CR8, feeding the +12 V regulator U2 and the +16 V unregulated output

Values and ratings from Mattel's power supply board parts list; positions read from the schematic printed with it.[5][1] Mattel's parts numbers, the small non-polarised capacitors and the logic board's polarised capacitors (C26, C27, C28, C30 and C40) are listed on Intellivision Capacitor Replacement Guide.

Checking your board against the list

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  1. Unplug the console and both controllers, and open it as described on Sears Super Video Arcade General Maintenance.
  2. Find the power supply board beside the transformer. Look for Mattel's board number (2609-9539 on the model 2609) and for the test points TP1 to TP6.[5][1]
  3. Read the value, voltage and polarity printed on each electrolytic and compare them with the table. Record any difference before ordering.
  4. Do the same on the logic board for the small polarised capacitors near the ribbon cable socket and the RF modulator.

Replacement procedure

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The steps are those of the Mattel console: see Replacement procedure on the Intellivision guide. In short:

  1. Check C1 with a meter before working near it, and wait until it has discharged.
  2. Replace one capacitor at a time, matching polarity. Fit the same capacitance and at least the same voltage rating.
  3. On the model 2609, C1 and C2 are held to the board with adhesive, and Mattel's inspection list asks for it to be checked; secure the new parts the same way.[6]
  4. Measure the supply rails afterwards, as on Sears Super Video Arcade Troubleshooting Guide.
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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mattel Electronics, Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, "Power Supply Board Repair", schematic, p. 17 (PDF p. 18), examined: C1 10,000 µF 16 V after CR1 and CR2, feeding the +5 V regulator U1; C2 100 µF 16 V on the −2.1 V supply; C3 2200 µF 25 V after the bridge CR5–CR8, feeding the +12 V regulator U2 and the +16 V unregulated output; 0.1 µF and 0.22 µF capacitors at C4–C12; the transformer and switch assembly on connector J2/P2. Hosted here as File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
  2. ↑ Mattel Electronics, Intellivision Service Manual, model 2609, "MTE-201 Failure Codes and Causes", p. 2-5 (PDF p. 15): code B, U9 (SROM), "Check SUM System ROM"; code C, U3 (PROM), "Check SUM PROGRAM ROM". Hosted here as File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf. The manual's title page and the subassembly manual's are for model 2609; neither the subassembly manual nor sections 1 to 4 of the service manual (operation, testing, disassembly and repair) name the Sears or Radio Shack versions.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gordon Jennings, Repairing Your Home Video Game (Datamost, 1984, ISBN 0-88190-277-2), chapter 3, "Hand controllers: Mattel Intellivision, Tandyvision, and Sears Super Video Arcade", p. 61, and chapter 5, "Mattel Intellivision I, Tandyvision, and Sears Super Video Arcade", pp. 89-96, which treats the three as one group: four assemblies (transformer and switch, power supply board, hand controllers, logic board); six cover screws, some units needing a nut driver; the small brown cover of the ON/OFF switch comes off with the top cover, and the hand controllers are passed through the holes in it; the hand controllers "usually are the first things to go bad", their membrane circuit chipping and shorting; a test with Skiing and Baseball; transformer readings of 9.25 V AC from green/yellow to either green and 18.5 V AC green to green; most power supply board faults in the 7805 and 7812 regulators or "the two larger capacitors". Scan on the Internet Archive, book_repairing_your_home_video_game (retrieved 2026-10-19).
  4. ↑ Larry Anderson, Intellivision FAQ (1995-1996), section 3, "Hardware Descriptions", hosted by INTV Funhouse, intv_faq3.php (retrieved 2026-10-19). 3.1, Intellivision Master Component: "a brown molded plastic case with gold trim on the top" and "Two controller wells ... recessed in the top for housing the two hard-wired controllers". 3.2, Sears Super Video Arcade: "if you wanted to market your product through Sears, it had to have their name on it. Much like Atari with the Tele-Games Video Arcade, Mattel created a clone"; "Functionally identical" to the Mattel console, with "a cream-colored case with a wood-grain front, and removable controllers that rest in the center of the console"; the power and reset switches "are circular in shape and about an inch in diameter"; the top-view sketch puts the power cable at the back left, the RF cable at the back right, and the reset and power switches at the front right. 3.3, Radio Shack Tandyvision I: "faux wood-grain ... paneling in the place of the INTV I's gold panels. Otherwise, this unit is totally identical to the INTV I."
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mattel Electronics, Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual, model 2609, parts list, p. 18 (PDF p. 19), examined: power supply board assembly 2609-9539; C1 10,000 µF 16 V electrolytic, 0085-0005; C2 100 µF 16 V electrolytic, 0085-0004; C3 2200 µF 25 V electrolytic, 0085-0006; U1 µA7805; U2 LM340T12. Hosted here as File:Mattel Intellivision Subassembly Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.
  6. ↑ Mattel Electronics, Intellivision Service Manual, model 2609, section 4-4, "Power Supply Board Assembly", p. 4-5 (PDF p. 30), examined: inspect for broken traces, charring, swelling, arcing or shorting; check the regulator heatsinks on U1 and U2; "Make sure that adhesive holding capacitors C1 and C2 in position has not separated." Hosted here as File:Mattel Intellivision Service Manual Model 2609.pdf.


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