[Coco] ROM relocater ?

[RETRO Innovations]

On 12/4/2023 2:27 AM, David Ladd via Coco wrote:
> On Sun, Dec 3, 2023 at 9:15 AM coco--- via Coco <coco at maltedmedia.com>
> wrote:
>
>> All
>>
>> Has anyone built a circuit or slim cable to allow a 28 pin ROM
>> socket to be put elsewhere.
>> I have a socketed COCO 3 motherboard ROM I wanted to put in a ZIF socket
>> but found that the capacitor immediately above the ROM socket was in the
>> way.
>>
> So I have seen some people on other systems relocate the cap to the
> underside of the board to make room on the top if a mod needs the room
> where the cap is/was.
>
> I am not sure if putting the cap on the bottom would interfere with
> anything on the bottom or not or the case, but I would make sure of that
> before trying to install it on the bottom.
>
> This is just an idea.

Seems like it would be easier to just put some longer leads on the cap 
and relocate it a bit.  Adding length to the cap would alter the 
capacitance a tiny bit, but I doubt much given the size of that cap 
(it's just a decoupling one, so the specific capacitance is not 
critical).  Solder half inch legs to it, some shrink wrap, and solder it 
back it, so the cap leads lay flat on the PCB going towards the back of 
the board.  Moving it under is also possible, though I think the shield 
is important as well, and that would interfere.  Another option is to 
solder a low profile socket to the PCB and insert the ZIF into the low 
profile socket. Another option is to use a set of .01x.01 square header 
pins 1x14 (same pins you see on IDE drive connectors) and solder them to 
the ZIF socket leads, soldering the combo into the PCB.  This is, in my 
opinion, the best option, as the ZIF is soldered in, the cap can simply 
be pushed over so it lays flat, and no ribbon cable to create crosstalk 
issues.

Jim