Elite Avant Garde ebay: buy now $3,500

[Jaimes Conda]

First time I have seen an ebay item described on youtube. It's a good idea. which avant garde is it?

A nice machine but not $3,500 worth.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fidelity-Avant- ... 3a76c6cf45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBAJQ1GV9RU

[Steve B]

First time I have seen an ebay item described on youtube. It's a good idea. which avant garde is it?

A nice machine but not $3,500 worth.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fidelity-Avant- ... 3a76c6cf45

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBAJQ1GV9RU

i love the questions
some buyer asks if the computer is coming from a smoke and pet free home
like that makes any difference what-so-ever when considering shelling out $3500
lol
not to mention the fact that the seller is clearly not the original owner and there is no telling how many owners this Mobile Master has seen over the years

Smoking while petting my cat regards
Steve

[SirDave]

If I pay $3500 for any computer, I don't want it to sometimes take a couple of tries to boot up.

[Steve B]

If I pay $3500 for any computer, I don't want it to sometimes take a couple of tries to boot up.

Now THAT ..is no laughing matter

Sobering Regards
Steve

[Larry]

Be sure to watch the u-tube video clip if you have'nt already . The guy
was a scream, or perhaps a good actor. It seemed he did'nt even know
which side moved first, and barely knew how the pieces moved. He
called the computer a "mother f***er" when it took his pieces, and when
most of the ranks lit up announcing mate, he was clueless, only knowing
that he was lost.
As a curiosity, the guy referred to a "bloke", instead of the usual
Americanism, a "guy". Have any Americans here on this forum heard in
the US a guy being referred to as a "bloke"?.... just wondering.
If the unit had been a V6 or better it would likely be gone already, but
not a mere Mobile Master minus the owner's manual.
Larry

[fdimeglio]

This guy has totally lost his mind: $3500 for an Elite Avantgarde #6081 !!

I agree, the video is "top of the pop"

You have everything for a "nice deal":

- this seller does not even know how to play Chess
- the machine does not boot correctly when plugged in
- the original power adapter is missing
- the serial number on the box is not matching the one on the machine
- he is selling in "good faith" at a great bargain price

Enjoy this wonderful auction....

"Blocking" Regards,

Fabrice

[Jed]

I noticed this guy uses an off the shelf adapter. ( 9 volt DC)

I have two avant garde chess computers. The original adapters
have an output voltage of 9 volt AC. It's just a step down transformer.

The manual states:
"Do not use any transformer other than the Fidelity transformer designed specifically for this product"

The AC is obviously rectified inside of the computer to provide DC voltage

My question is this: Will using an adapter having a 9vDC output on these computers harm the circuitry or cause it to malfunction?

Regards, Jed

[fdimeglio]

Thank you Jed for this confirmation.

I dont think the machine has been modified as the seller is a "noob".

Yes, using DC instead of AC can definitively harm the motherboard and more specifically the rectifier first stage.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rectifier

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer

So basically using DC as input of a AC transformer can lead to lots of issues.

See: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_will_hap ... ansformers

if DC voltage is applied to the primary of a transformer the flux produced in the transformer core will not vary but remain constant in magnitude therefore no emf will be induced in the secondary winding except at the time of switching on.Also there will be no self induced emf in the primary winding to oppose the applied voltage and since the resistance of the primary winding is quite low heavy current will flow through it which may result in burning out of primary winding.


All of this explain what he sees: it never power up correctly the first times.

I am amazed that the machine has not already "fried".

EMF regards,

Fabrice

[SirDave]

I am by no means an expert in electronics, but does the original Fidelity EAG adaptor/transformer really have a 9v AC output? That would seem highly unusual. I've had so many electronic gadgets over the years with 6-9 volt adaptors and can't recall ever having one where the output is AC and an internal rectifier changes it to DC within the main unit.

With all that said. If the EAG is expecting a 9v AC input, would it even work at all with an adaptor that provides DC output. In other words, would a rectifier expecting AC input, actually pass through what is DC input?

But again, I am strictly an amateur when it comes to electronics.

[Steve B]

I am by no means an expert in electronics, but does the original Fidelity EAG adaptor/transformer really have a 9v AC output? That would seem highly unusual. I've had so many electronic gadgets over the years with 6-9 volt adaptors and can't recall ever having one where the output is AC and an internal rectifier changes it to DC within the main unit.

With all that said. If the EAG is expecting a 9v AC input, would it even work at all with an adaptor that provides DC output. In other words, would a rectifier expecting AC input, actually pass through what is DC input?

But again, I am strictly an amateur when it comes to electronics.

Specs for Original Fidelity Dual Pronged Adaptor(Used in all EAG computers)
9VAC
1.5A
120V
60 Mhz
18W

AC-DC Regards
Steve

[fdimeglio]

Steve, can you tell us if those original Fidelity adapters are easy to find or not ?

AC-AC regards,

Fabrice

Specs for Original Fidelity Dual Pronged Adaptor(Used in all EAG computers)
9VAC
1.5A
120V
60 Mhz
18W

AC-DC Regards
Steve

[Larry]

Steve, can you tell us if those original Fidelity adapters are easy to find or not ?

AC-AC regards,

Fabrice

Specs for Original Fidelity Dual Pronged Adaptor(Used in all EAG computers)
9VAC
1.5A
120V
60 Mhz
18W

AC-DC Regards
Steve

Allow me to interject, if I may. They seem not so easy to come by, and
When you find one, you will find the price annoyingly high. The two original
fidelity adaptors I,ve got have problems. Where the cord goes into the
adaptor the signal drops out because that,s where it bends a lot. I found
an AC/AC adaptor at a flea market for a few bucks that does the job well,
even though it only outputs 1 amp. I did have to mess around cutting and
joining the tips, because Fidelity adaptors have proprietary fittings to
protect owners from themselves. Our friend trying to sell his 6081 in this
thread must have also done some cutting and joining. I messaged him and
told him not to use that adaptor any more or else he will suddenly have a
very pretty and expensive manual chess board.
Typing this on my iPad3 at a flea market.
Larry

[Cubeman]

Steve, can you tell us if those original Fidelity adapters are easy to find or not ?

AC-AC regards,

Fabrice

Specs for Original Fidelity Dual Pronged Adaptor(Used in all EAG computers)
9VAC
1.5A
120V
60 Mhz
18W

AC-DC Regards
Steve

Allow me to interject, if I may. They seem not so easy to come by, and
When you find one, you will find the price annoyingly high. The two original
fidelity adaptors I,ve got have problems. Where the cord goes into the
adaptor the signal drops out because that,s where it bends a lot. I found
an AC/AC adaptor at a flea market for a few bucks that does the job well,
even though it only outputs 1 amp. I did have to mess around cutting and
joining the tips, because Fidelity adaptors have proprietary fittings to
protect owners from themselves. Our friend trying to sell his 6081 in this
thread must have also done some cutting and joining. I messaged him and
told him not to use that adaptor any more or else he will suddenly have a
very pretty and expensive manual chess board.
Typing this on my iPad3 at a flea market.
Larry

I think he mentioned in video that guy from Radio Shack told him to use that adaptor.

[Steve B]

Steve, can you tell us if those original Fidelity adapters are easy to find or not ?

AC-AC regards,

Fabrice

Specs for Original Fidelity Dual Pronged Adaptor(Used in all EAG computers)
9VAC
1.5A
120V
60 Mhz
18W

AC-DC Regards
Steve

Heres One Place that sells Authentic Fidelity Adaptors
As Larry Mentioned..they are not cheap if you want them new

http://www.chesscomputerselectronicgame ... apters.htm

another good source are actual Ebay auctions where the adaptor is included with the chess computer..
Fidelity only made two adaptors for all of their computers
the single pronged and double pronged
so keep your eye out for the double pronged which was used with many different Fidelity models(not only the EAG)

Single -Double-Triple Regards
Steve

[ricard60]

Hi Steve;

Thanks for the link http://www.chesscomputerselectronicgame ... apters.htm

I am looking for original plastic chess pieces for a unique dedicated chess machine that soon i will post here.

Mystery regards
Ricardo