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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: brockmoreno on September 26, 2017, 08:55:50 AM

Title: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: brockmoreno on September 26, 2017, 08:55:50 AM
As stated I bought a working PCE Duo but I have heard about all the issues with the caps. Should I send it in to have them replaced right away or just wait to see if I develop issues? Also how hard would it be to do a RGB mod myself if I have beginner soldering skills?
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: Necromancer on September 26, 2017, 09:02:35 AM
If it hasn't been done already, recap NOW!  If you wait for troubles to appear, odds are that the leaked cap juice will have eaten traces, damaged other components, etc.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: turboswimbz on September 26, 2017, 11:15:04 AM
Yup if the caps are original do it ASAP.  I'd Check the section here on the RBG mod that'll give you an idea.  I personally have not tried it so I can't say, but there are several members here who have a great deal of knowledge doing them who will chime in.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: brockmoreno on September 28, 2017, 02:34:47 AM
Alright I talked to the seller and the unit was recapped but he is not sure if they did the whole unit.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: turboswimbz on September 28, 2017, 04:46:01 AM
It should be somewhat easy to open and see if there are old caps.  they should mostly be obvious. if it's already done then you are good.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: MobiusStripTech on September 29, 2017, 07:36:16 AM
Honestly even if it was recapped, open it. I have had to repair previous recap jobs because the person who did the recap either used garbage caps or didn't clean everything.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: Keith Courage on September 29, 2017, 02:29:30 PM
Honestly even if it was recapped, open it. I have had to repair previous recap jobs because the person who did the recap either used garbage caps or didn't clean everything.

I 2nd that. I've had to redo many cap changes done by previous people. Usually things not cleaned up well at all and typically I find a few caps with leads that are bridging over other traces on the board. Sometimes I find some cap leads are not even soldered into place. 
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: ds1724 on December 25, 2017, 02:58:23 PM
I can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps.  everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise? 
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: Necromancer on December 26, 2017, 01:33:10 AM
I can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps.  everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise? 

I can't say which ones specifically are open to work immediately, but thesteve, chops, mnkydeth, keith, mobius, and turbokon all do repair work at times.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: turboswimbz on December 26, 2017, 02:28:22 AM
I can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps.  everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise? 

I can't say which ones specifically are open to work immediately, but thesteve, chops, mnkydeth, keith, mobius, and turbokon all do repair work at times.

Mnky was backed up/ taking a break last time I checked, but Chop, Keith, Steve, and Turbokon were all open last time I checked a few months ago.  I've had all of them do work for me in the past with no issues.   Try Pming them directly.  Only Kieth actively monitors the forum regularly.
 
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: SiberianSpForces on December 26, 2017, 04:14:11 AM
A guy that's on Atari Age does recaps. Get a hold of him via his site for a quote;
http://www.acill.com/
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: MobiusStripTech on December 26, 2017, 05:37:48 PM
I'm still actively taking on work. I keep caps for duo's in stock.
Title: Re: Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?
Post by: Nodoka75 on December 27, 2017, 02:00:07 AM
I 2nd that. I've had to redo many cap changes done by previous people. Usually things not cleaned up well at all and typically I find a few caps with leads that are bridging over other traces on the board. Sometimes I find some cap leads are not even soldered into place.

I agree. DUO's, Mega CD1 and GameGear are prone to similar problems due to SMT caps, sometimes I must spend a lot of time to remove the previous job and properly clean the PCB  :wink:

I can do Recap/RGB mod on DUO :
(http://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_628289AVAPDUO.jpg) (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer0994.html?id=628289AVAPDUO.jpg)

I'm from France, though.