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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion => Topic started by: Game-Tech.US on November 24, 2014, 01:54:15 AM

Title: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on November 24, 2014, 01:54:15 AM
I do plan to sell the pcb ready to instal, but prolly only through stoneagegamer if they are interested.
I only made 3 to test with and do need to change it up a bit before releasing it as well.
I'll update here once I know any more details.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: SephirothTNH on November 24, 2014, 03:41:21 AM
Very nice.  I've actually been planning on doing it just about the same way and was always curious why no one else ever thought to do it like that too.  I already have the chips just haven't had the time to sit down and design a board for it.  If the price isn't too high I may just buy them from stoneage rather than design my own. 

Unrelated: Would you mind telling me what size ceramics you used to recap that board?  I need to recap my PCE Duo and that looks like the way to go. 
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: BlueBMW on November 24, 2014, 04:43:07 AM
Very cool design.  When we made the last region mod chips we had considered a design that would fit right on the slot like that.  Glad you were able to make a design that works well!

We've come a long ways since the old 8PDT switch and the dual multiplexer designs.

Downside is, we'd better sell the old stock of region mod chips quick before yours hit the market ;)
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: turbokon on November 24, 2014, 04:49:45 AM
Very cool, Thesteve have been telling us to use the smaller profile 3383 chip for our obey board for quite some time now.  Looks like you beat us to it;)
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: pulstar on November 24, 2014, 04:50:47 AM
Nice little update. Definitely looks less intimidating for beginners than the old design.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: turbokon on November 24, 2014, 05:02:26 AM
Still looks like a lot of work though. I got the current install down pat.  I can finish a region install in about 30mins.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Desh on November 24, 2014, 05:37:14 AM
These look great.  A much more "factory" looking install.  Also, ditto on what size ceramic caps if you don't mind.  Those caps look much nicer than the using through hole caps.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: BlueBMW on November 24, 2014, 05:44:20 AM
Overall its very cool to see how far we have all come as far as repair / mod tech on this old stuff.  Ive seen some pretty ugly mod work in the past but nowadays the methods are getting really clean.

Also the design being right there on the pins might eliminate the issues with everdrives etc since you're not extending the data lines much.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: schweaty on November 24, 2014, 05:56:26 AM
very impressive... initial impression is that this is great for everything, but eff'ing awesome for a Turbo Express.  There just isnt a lot of room in there for a lot of wire running. 

have you tried it on an express yet?

BTW - i noticed your PCB has "DUO" printed on it.  can it be used for all turbo applications?
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: thesteve on November 24, 2014, 06:34:44 AM
were this a JP unit pin29 would need to be grounded
pin30 is the CD detect pin, direct grounded on all duo versions
pin 29 not connected on all but SG (not sure on SG)
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on November 24, 2014, 06:44:52 AM
I should have the redesigned tg16 pcb in soon and will show that instal, also makes it stupid easy and much faster.
I have not done an express as I assume most will want the switchless version so that extra circuitry will have to be added to the pcb, but I think the idea will cross over nicely for it being on the pins like on the duo.

On the ceramics most can be fudged one size up or down and still solder down just fine.
I think i'll post the mouser numbers in the appropriate thread.
Again a huge time saver and yes do look much nicer when finished.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Bernie on November 24, 2014, 08:53:40 AM
I think this is great, but I do have a question...  Why would you only look at selling them to StoneAge, when we have plenty of guys here that would/could use them as well?  We have quite a few modders here, that people trust and go to.  I just think picking only one avenue of distribution is maybe not the way to go.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on November 24, 2014, 11:09:15 AM
I think this is great, but I do have a question...  Why would you only look at selling them to StoneAge, when we have plenty of guys here that would/could use them as well?  We have quite a few modders here, that people trust and go to.  I just think picking only one avenue of distribution is maybe not the way to go.

Well I don't have a contract with SAG or anything so i'll be free to sell them to who ever I just don't want the hassle of individual sales.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: BlueBMW on November 24, 2014, 11:13:32 AM
Maybe you can set something up with turbokon on here.  He has a website up to handle the sales of our current mod chips and also his component encoders.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Keith Courage on November 24, 2014, 01:06:07 PM
Depending on the cost of the chip this may be worth it for me.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on November 24, 2014, 03:19:10 PM
Ordered another set of 3 proto's from oshpark to make sure the bypass cap and larger solder pads are good to go then I can order a big bunch of them.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: cjameslv on November 25, 2014, 05:47:30 AM
Really like the small clean pcb and install for this.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: thesteve on November 25, 2014, 07:00:51 AM
just a note on the TE/GT this wont fit due to the location of the battery pack
something could be done on the ribbon cable
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on November 25, 2014, 07:02:59 AM
just a note on the TE/GT this wont fit due to the location of the battery pack
something could be done on the ribbon cable
Ah, too bad. Yeah I hadn't even looked at putting it in other consoles yet.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on February 26, 2015, 10:20:57 AM
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Desh on February 26, 2015, 10:26:41 AM
The important question is when can I buy one of these boards.  I wanted one like yesterday!
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on February 26, 2015, 10:38:06 AM
I'll post here when I have them for sale.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on March 13, 2015, 12:22:58 PM
Has youtube video embedding stopped working? I can't see the vids I embedded above.
Here is an instal on a duo-r, it does need a bit more effort than others since the metal can around the hucard connector is in the way.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: ProfessorProfessorson on March 13, 2015, 07:04:34 PM
Has youtube video embedding stopped working? I can't see the vids I embedded above.
Here is an instal on a duo-r, it does need a bit more effort than others since the metal can around the hucard connector is in the way.
https://youtu.be/Sk4P3X0pCfo

I tried to embed one myself while back and it wouldn't work. I wasn't sure what was going on with it, but I gave up and just direct linked to the video.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Necromancer on March 16, 2015, 02:56:35 AM


Delete the s.  Embedding works but not for secure links.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on April 03, 2015, 03:29:07 AM
So the CG2 I recently did actually did have the TED issue and thesteve was cool enough to check it out and found a fix!
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: cjameslv on April 03, 2015, 07:34:46 AM
So the CG2 I recently did actually did have the TED issue and thesteve was cool enough to check it out and found a fix!

PC Engine Core Grafx 2 region mod issues with turbo everdrive fixed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOiNTnrxYXo#ws)


Glad your willing to sell to our forum as well. You mentioned it would have to be 15-20 pieces though, so setting up a group buy should be an order once you have the final revision ready and tested. Of course we would need your pricing for an order of 20 pieces. Looking forward to an update in a couple weeks then!
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: bozo55 on April 03, 2015, 06:40:30 PM
Would love to get in on the group buy.  I'd be down for 2.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on September 11, 2015, 03:28:59 AM
Finally some progress on the tg-16 region mod pcb!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T21pzvnh8gM
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on September 20, 2015, 06:16:38 AM
I've been working on it a long time, but it's finally ready for sale!
The TG16 only version of the region mod circuit is ready for sale.
I designed to make it super easy to install on the US tg16 console, does not work on any other NEC console, does not work on the PAL tg16.
It's as easy as solder down, cut the 8 pcb traces, run 3 wires to a switch, and mount the switch somewhere on the console shell.

http://www.game-tech.us/store/

There is an option to buy the kit with wire and switch or pcb only in the little drop down box.
Shipping is only set up for US and Canada, but that should be the only countries interested in this kit.
I only have pri mail for US and economy for Canada for now.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on April 21, 2016, 05:27:32 PM
The universal version is now done and for sale - http://www.game-tech.us/shop/

Vid of the testing of the boards I had fabbed and assembled by pcbway:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RVSIf886XA
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: schweaty on April 21, 2016, 05:34:05 PM
Will this fit in a Turbo Express?
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: Game-Tech.US on April 21, 2016, 05:57:55 PM
Will this fit in a Turbo Express?
Haven't tried it yet as there is a switchless version that was meant for the portables, just never got around to making it yet. Anyway, will see about fitting this one in them and maybe find a hole for the switch that doesn't require cutting.
Title: Re: I reworked the region mod pcb for Turbo Duo - now it's super easy!
Post by: thesteve on April 25, 2016, 04:56:10 PM
in the TE there is not enough room to fit that board as intended
it could be jumpered in, but that defeats the point