REPAIR GUIDE - TurboExpress: Total capacitor replacement chart

[roflmao]

Well, I went ahead and ordered a complete set of caps from Mouser.  Hopefully my poor little Express will be back in business sometime next week!

[roflmao]

Well I got my caps awhile back and have made 2 attempts at doing the replacement myself and have come to the conclusion that I suck at this. Is there anyone on the board here that would be willing to  take a crack at doing the repair on mine?  I ordered enough caps to replace them all on 5 expresses so whoever can do this repair will get all of those and I can offer cash or games or something to sweeten the deal.

[thesteve]

i can, chop can, beemer can.
likely others too.
look through this thread to see some of our work on the express.

[roflmao]

Thanks, thesteve.  Beemer sent me a PM so I'm sending it his way.  This community is too awesome.

[Keith Courage]

So has anyone here ever had to replace all the caps before? I mean I have repaired 3 turbo express units (one for me and two for friends) All they needed was the typical 1 Video cap replaced and 4 audio caps replaced. Do the other ones eventually go bad as well?

[BlueBMW]

I always do all the caps.  Every time I removed any of the other caps I find leakage.  While it might not manifest in audio or video issues, you know eventually the leakage will corrode something important and cause system failure.  There aren't many caps on an express so there really is no reason to not do them all if you've got it apart.

[thesteve]

i just changed my 16V caps
leakage was present and the picture got more vivid

[daedalia]

Replaced all the caps in my PCE GT and just want to say thanks to all those who contributed. Used surface mounts thanks to marshalh, first time and fairly easy to solder, practiced on an old video card.

With regard to doing all the caps; I'd recommend it. While working on mine I accidently breathed on a few and they flew off. Not only leaking but they were badly corroded too, took a bit of prep to sort the contacts out. Miraculous the unit worked at all. So I'd say if you are going to open it, you may as well do them all. All of mine were fooked.

[Keith Courage]

I have already replaced the necessary audio caps on my turbo express. However, I was thinking about trying some 47UF instead of the 33UF to make it a little louder as stated in the cap replacement chart. Has anyone ever done this? Is it safe and are there any long term problems if done this way?

[thesteve]

i use 47's on all mine

[BlueBMW]

As do I.  Saves me from having to order 33uf caps

[blueraven]

Attached photo of a full silver cap replacement with NTK Hi-Temp capacitors on a PC Engine GT. The 100uf caps are really bad on these, so be really careful removing the three right next to the 33/47uf sound caps.

I have already clearanced the caps for re-assembly, so if you organize and place them similarly to how I have in the picture, the unit will go back to together without any major issues.

Also, when re-attaching the board to the plastic backing, make SURE to put a screw (you have 3 and 4 holes) in the Top Right hole, where all the traces shroud around, or the hu-card will stick out and you will have to hold it down when you flip the power switch.  

I keep this chart open on my screen every time I repair one of these

[thesteve]

I printed the chart, and work from the paper.
when using caps with wires, surface mounted like that you should use some silicone calking to glue them in place.

[boliver]

hi, I have a broken turbo express. i accidentally hooked up a 12 volt power adapter to it, now its completely dead when i put games in or when i turn on the tv tuner. only the lcd backlight still works. i was wondering if i could pay someone to look at it.

thanks!

[thesteve]

pm sent