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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: Slypty on March 24, 2014, 03:57:02 PM

Title: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 24, 2014, 03:57:02 PM
So I bought a Cap replacement kit and replaced the Audio and Video Caps.  As far as I know, the Audio Caps are 4 in total, but the Video Cap is only 1.  That's all I replaced, but the lighting on the Screen still seems a bit dim, especially if you're not looking directly vis-a-vis with the screen. 

  So if I tilt the screen at a slight angle, everything seems to go dimmer.  Not sure if this is still a cap issue, or perhaps my batteries aren't juiced up enough.  First time fix and I've got powerful sound coming from the Speaker now with all 4 Caps replaced, and over-voltage (6.2 as opposed to default 6V if I remember right.) 

  Are there any other Caps that deal with the Video, or is it just that one on the corner.. I don't remember the volts or farads for it, sorry. #-o
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 24, 2014, 04:45:01 PM
I see from an earlier post that this might be an LCD backlighting issue.. if I can twist anyone's arm to let me know which Caps deal with the backlight power.. well I would be gobsmacked.
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: thesteve on March 24, 2014, 06:04:36 PM
Backlight caps are the 16V 100uf caps by the video cap
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 25, 2014, 08:39:00 AM
Thank you!  Now to tackle the foamy junk around those caps. 
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: thesteve on March 25, 2014, 02:11:57 PM
Be careful its hiding an inductor
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: NightWolve on March 25, 2014, 02:26:42 PM
Since you got it open and got the hang of desoldering surface mount caps, you should just replace all caps and be done with it. Every last one of my TE caps had leaked and I'd wager you noticed leaky ones as well... There's no sense in running the system with some caps new and good, while the rest are 24+ years old, likely leaky and are thus operating at a much lower capacitance capability potentially risking permanent damage... The fluid from leaky caps does corrode traces over time, so FYI.
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 28, 2014, 07:45:30 AM
Since you got it open and got the hang of desoldering surface mount caps, you should just replace all caps and be done with it. Every last one of my TE caps had leaked and I'd wager you noticed leaky ones as well... There's no sense in running the system with some caps new and good, while the rest are 24+ years old, likely leaky and are thus operating at a much lower capacitance capability potentially risking permanent damage... The fluid from leaky caps does corrode traces over time, so FYI.

  Well it's laziness at its' finest.  I really should and probably will do the whole thing, but I'm more interested in solving the current issues before I do a complete overhaul.

  I changed the backlight caps mentioned earlier, beside the known video smaller cap.  I broke a trace but mounted it to another place on the trace, and got both of those f'n annoying caps replaced... only problem is, there's no difference.

  I'm not sure what type of problem this is now.  If it was a backlight problem, I wouldn't have a backlight.. but I do.  If it was a video problem, I wouldn't have video, but I do.  I've seen other PC Engines or TE's and when looked at from an angle, there's still no dimness... whereas unless you're looking straight on parallel with my screen, the screen isn't visible otherwise. 

  I'll replace all the other caps later on, but if anyone has some insight to why this might be, it's very much a big help to me.  Thanks.
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: thesteve on March 28, 2014, 08:03:44 AM
Strait on or parallel
Does the contrast wheel work?
If the viewing angle is right, but the pic weak dark, it could be a bad lamp.
Low batterys is white pic
Bad caps is no pic or bad view angle
Title: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: turbokon on March 28, 2014, 11:24:45 AM
I think the controller board could have something to do with it.  I had a TE I worked on where it had the same issue after replacing the caps.  Switched out the onboard controller board and it worked fine.


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Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 28, 2014, 01:33:38 PM
Strait on or parallel
Does the contrast wheel work?
If the viewing angle is right, but the pic weak dark, it could be a bad lamp.
Low batterys is white pic
Bad caps is no pic or bad view angle

  Jeez.. I hadn't even bothered fiddling with the Contrast wheel.  It's my first PC Engine GT, and I really hadn't even noticed it was there.  Anyways, I think it's working fine, I still get a worse picture depending on the angle, but with adjusting the contrast the angle is still pretty visible... I'm guessing that's normal?  I can't expect to see the screen the same from any angle... can I?
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Keith Courage on March 28, 2014, 01:45:47 PM
It looks different from every angle much like older laptop screens. As long as you can look straight at it and get a good clear picture by adjusting the contrast then all is well.
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 28, 2014, 01:46:00 PM
Weird, now after I had the contrast working for about 10 minutes, its' suddenly decided to crap out on me.  I'm not sure if it's just the batteries are too drained, but games are suddenly shutting off after a minute of playing.  I can make it shut off really quick if I start fooling with the Contrast wheel, which is suddenly not responding.  It worked fine and seemed to fix the earlier problem fine..

 So does the Contrast wheel bug out when the batteries are low, or is there another problem potentially with the caps or control board?
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: thesteve on March 28, 2014, 02:08:27 PM
Yes contrast doesn't work on low battery
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Slypty on March 28, 2014, 02:33:55 PM
OK, thanks I'll take out the crapola PC plus batteries I spent $2 on, and use something with more juice.  Should be OK after that, thanks all for the good help
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: NightWolve on March 29, 2014, 05:45:03 AM
Ah, so you didn't know about the contrast wheel. Heh. Well, the other thing is test it with the power supply or do you not have one ? Batteries drain fast and yeah, it shut downs when there isn't enough juice. Unfortunately, there are still no good rechargeable batteries. NiMH still suck and they run at 1.2 V not 1.5 V like standard one-use alkalines and the industry hasn't yet made Li-Ion types in AA or AAA form. Maybe they can't at those sizes. That would be a good mod for the system actually, force a 7-9 Volt Li-Ion battery in there by destroying the plastic that holds the AA batteries if you have to and design a circuit where its recharged when the power supply is plugged in.
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: thesteve on March 29, 2014, 06:44:19 AM
They run happy @ 6V so NiMh work good
Title: Re: PC Engine GT Dim Screen after Cap replacement
Post by: Nec.Game.head on March 31, 2014, 08:14:25 AM
The quickest and easiest way to sort out this problem is to just send it out to one of the pro techs guys on here and have it squared away properly. I love to work on all my stuff and mostly do but if I'm stumped and I'm not getting the correct results I send it away to the doctor ...