Neo Flash cart doesn't work with my new TG16

[GohanX]

I've had a Neoflash 64 mb flash cart since they first came out, and it works perfectly fine in my Japanese Duo R or my US Turbo Express. I recently acquired a Turbografx 16 at long last, but the cart doesn't work on it. The menu comes up, but when you select the game it either freezes immediately, or will play the game with really odd issues, like garbled graphics or simply being in slow motion. I can then take the same card and toss it in my Express and all games work perfectly.

I did some searching, and I found where nat said that the card sometimes has issues with power consumption if the AC adapter wasn't putting out enough juice, and sure enough I was using a Sega AC adapter since I don't have the original TG16 plug. I randomly found a universal AC adapter today that can output up to 12V, 1300 ma, which exceeds that of the original AC adapter. I tried it, and it works fine with the system, but still no luck with the flash cart.

Anyone have any ideas? This isn't a big deal since I can always use the Duo instead, but it's irritating.

[nat]

It IS irritating. To date, I haven't been able to find a real solution. I originally assumed it was the fault of the AC adapter, but this doesn't seem to necessarily be the case. Switching AC adapters doesn't seem to help, as you found out, which indicates to me the problem is probably with the power circuitry inside the console itself. The problem is still definitely power consumption related, however. The core TG-16 decks aren't known for capacitor issues, but it's possible it could be due to failing or aged capacitors in the power circuit. A full capacitor replacement might rectify the issue, but it's just a theory. I have enough NEC consoles that I simply live with it and don't use it on the ones it seems to have issues with.

A concrete solution to the issue would be great, but I just don't have the time anymore to tinker around with this stuff like I used to.

[GohanX]

I have enough NEC consoles that I simply live with it and don't use it on the ones it seems to have issues with.

This sounds like a good enough solution to me.

[SignOfZeta]

Maybe there is an inductor in the TG16 somewhere that keeps the HuCard slot from drawing an unsafe amount of power? There is certainly enough shit inside that thing, some of it must do something, right?

[BlueBMW]

I know when region modding a TG16, there was an issue with some of the IC based mods when trying to run them off the hucard slot.  There is definitely a weaker 5V line on the TG16 hucard slot as compared to the other consoles.

[nat]

Well, there you go.

[ensleepent]

My Neo Flash Cart (the 128M + save model) only works glitch-free on one of my three TG16 units, and then only when it's not hooked to one of my TGCD units.  I have no idea why.  None of these machines, with or without the CD drive, has any problem with other HuCards.

I'd like to hear more about this quirk.  The flash cart is awesome when it's in a machine that it likes.

I want to get one of the handhelds (TurboExpress, etc.), but it would be a bummer if I had to keep buying them until I found one that worked with the flash cart.

[nat]

That's because "regular" HuCards all draw a standard amount of power. The power demands of the flash cart go above and beyond designed specs.

[GohanX]

Well, the cart has always worked perfectly in my Turbo Express ensleepant, it's just the TG16 it really has issues with. The cart drains the batteries a bit more, but it's not a big deal.

[Mishran]

Nuts, and I was looking into snagging one of those flash carts too. It'll be a Duo-R exclusive I suppose.

[ensleepent]

It's definitely a good purchase, Mishran.  I can attest to that.  As long as you have at least one machine it'll work with.

All this talk about the power supply, etc. is interesting, but doesn't seem to explain (at least not fully) why my flash cart works with one of my TG16 units and not the others.  They're all the same model (pre-Duo North American "TurboGrafx-16"), in case that wasn't clear already.

Are there any differences between production runs of that model?

And the one it *does* work on is the most factory-fresh, barely-touched, CIB one that I have.  Seems like that might be a clue.  I hope I'm not quickly wearing it out or something by using the flash cart.

[thesteve]

if its a power problem, its an easy fix, in the unit

[GohanX]

I was wondering, if the issues is possibly that the hucard slot has a weak 5v line, couldn't the power just be rerouted to that pin from another source within the system? That would be a piece of cake to do.

[thesteve]

thats what im talking about
even just hooking a capacitor across the card slot +5 pin to ground would likely solve it
it could be a weak 5V regulator as well, also fixable

[Chuplayer]

I'd cut the 5V trace, wire up a second 5V power supply to the card port, and tie the grounds together. Or cut the trace on the Neo Flash cart itself and wire up the extra power supply there.