IC Region Chips for TG16/PCE/DUO's $17 shipped

[electrochip]

$17 shipped for one and $15 each additional, includes 4551 chips pre-soldered. PCB's without the 4551's are $12 shipped for one and $10 each additional. If you want them quicker add $4 for priority mail. These chips are for region modding TG16/PCE/Duo's. I had to change the pinout at the bottom so it would incorporate both SMD and DIP MC14551 versions. The H-A were not supposed to be there so on install they should be ignored and it goes like this

From Left to Right Pin:
15 PCB
15 Hu Connector
16 PCB
16 Hu Connector
23 PCB
23 Hu Connector
22 PCB
22 Hu Connector
17 PCB
17 Hu Connector
19 PCB
19 Hu Connector
21 PCB
21 Hu Connector
20 PCB
20 Hu Connector




Also when installing instead of using a 5V source, I have found that using the IN pin on the Voltage regulator is FAR more stable and you won't have issues where some games will crash after a few minutes of play.

[BlueBMW]

Those look so much purtier than my homemade breadboard chips   Is the $17 just for the PCB?  Not the 4551 chips too?

[electrochip]

includes the 4551 chips as well

[BlueBMW]

So you supply the switching portion of the chips with 12V instead of 5V?  Maybe that's the reason why these IC mods dont seem to work on the US TG16.... hmmmmmm

[electrochip]

yup 12V, the chips can handle 18v if needed. I had that issue with my TG16 not swapping modes and it was making me crazy. I looked over the datasheets noticed they can handle higher voltage and blammo! it works fantastic now. I used this method with the Duo-RX as well because it was NOT stable on the 5V with the component video mod in place. Now I just use the IN pin instead of the 5V and not worry about any issues. I've left my machines running for 8+ hours test as well.

[Duo_R]

I'll snag one

[BlueBMW]

yup 12V, the chips can handle 18v if needed. I had that issue with my TG16 not swapping modes and it was making me crazy. I looked over the datasheets noticed they can handle higher voltage and blammo! it works fantastic now. I used this method with the Duo-RX as well because it was stable on the 5V with the component video mod in place. Now I just use the IN pin instead of the 5V and not worry about any issues. I've left my machines running for 8+ hours test as well.

Golden information to know!  I spent FOREVER trying to figure out why an IC mod didn't work on a US TG16... I sourced 5V from a bazillion places, I never thought to hook to the 12v...

Might need to order a few of your chips.  I'm down to just 2 4551 chips left!

[SignOfZeta]

I don't remember what voltage I actually saw where I picked up power for my chip, but looking at photos I took at the time it looks like its downstream of one of those same regulators so...probably 5V.



Despite some criticism here of the size wire I used this mod has been going strong with zero problems since Feb 2008.

[electrochip]

I don't remember what voltage I actually saw where I picked up power for my chip, but looking at photos I took at the time it looks like its downstream of one of those same regulators so...probably 5V.


Despite some criticism here of the size wire I used this mod has been going strong with zero problems since Feb 2008.

That is a 5V point. If your not doing a component mod, 5V from a Duo-R and Duo-RX (don't have a regular Duo but should be the same) is enough to power the region chips and an S-Video mod as well without issues. TG16 for sure needs higher voltage though.

[kid_rondeau]

Zeta,
What are those shrouds around the wires connected to the Hu slot? Is it heat shrink? I'm guessing it was to reduce the possibility of a short... do tell!

[Official Ninja]

Will these region chips auto detect the hu-card type and there is no need for a switch?
I just purchased a Duo-r that has a region switch and it works great so far.
However not needing to keep track of the switch position would be really cool.

[SignOfZeta]

Zeta,
What are those shrouds around the wires connected to the Hu slot? Is it heat shrink? I'm guessing it was to reduce the possibility of a short... do tell!

Yeah, its just heat shrink tubing. Nothing special.

Will these region chips auto detect the hu-card type and there is no need for a switch?
I just purchased a Duo-r that has a region switch and it works great so far.
However not needing to keep track of the switch position would be really cool.

So far, to my knowledge, nobody has figured out a way to do that. These chips aren't going to do it. It would be nice.

[Official Ninja]

So far, to my knowledge, nobody has figured out a way to do that. These chips aren't going to do it. It would be nice.

I see. So your mod has a couple wires from that pcb running to a switch somewhere.

I looked in my duo-r and the mod is different. I don't see any PCB, My switch is a pretty wide switch with all the wires running to it.

[Marll]

So does this work in such a way that you solder wires to the pins on the Hu slot, then to the chips, and then from the chips to a switch? No reason to desolder the pins on the Hu slot (saw a mod years ago that called for that)?

[Duo_R]

U still have to cut the pins (i don't desolder them anymore).