NES RGB Cable Question

[Desh]

Well, it's nearly complete. I only have to cut a hole for the palette switch. I'll have some pictures up when I finish later this week. The mod has been enjoyable to do, but it did take longer than i expected.

Desh, where did you put the audio out? Did you just leave it mono on the side or use the composite video on the side as a left side out?

When I gutted the RF box I removed the original jacks and now the left and right audio outputs go out there (you can see the gold plated ones in the picture).  The RGB board has a decent sound amp on it so I just ran the mono output to both sides.  I actually plan to go back and do the "stereo" mod.  Many people don't like it but I had it in my last NES and spent a lot of time dialing it in with a couple 1k ohlm pots.  I personally loved how it sounded with my cheapo surround sound setup in my game room so I want to install it again.

If you're fine with mono the stock audio will still work fine.  If you want the amped audio from the RGB board, I would just cut the trace going to the original mono jack and wire it directly to the RGB board's audio out.  You should be able to get to it by removing the bottom cover of the RF box which is easy peazy.  Your other option, if you want double mono, would be to use a headphone jack (I think the RGB kit comes with one, at least they used to) and you could hide it in an inconspicuous location.  Maybe even in the bottom of the case somewhere and then run the audio cable underneath in one of the channels that intersect into the expansion port.

EDIT: I found a picture of my board when it was all wired up if you want to see how I used the gutted RF box as a mounting point.

[crazydean]

That's pretty cool. I already mounted the double mono headphone jack because that is what the directions said. I may go back and make it full stereo in the future when I get some decent speakers.

I played it for about an hour with the top off today and I noticed that the old voltage regulator is getting pretty hot. The new one is wired up too and it doesn't get that hot. Should I removed the stock one completely?

[Desh]

That's pretty cool. I already mounted the double mono headphone jack because that is what the directions said. I may go back and make it full stereo in the future when I get some decent speakers.

I played it for about an hour with the top off today and I noticed that the old voltage regulator is getting pretty hot. The new one is wired up too and it doesn't get that hot. Should I removed the stock one completely?

I wouldn't.  If I remember right the voltage regulator that comes with the kit is wired inline with the original 7805 and is only supply a safe, steady  5V to the RGB board itself (I would have to look at the installation guide again to know for sure).  Just remember that the stock regualtor does get pretty hot on it's own (that's why they have a little heat sink on it).  Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to to replace the original 7805 anyways as it's old and new ones are inexpensive.  Cheap insurance in my opinion.  Also, if you think it's a lot hotter than it should be, check the input voltage.  It should be like 10-12 VDC somewhere in that range.  If it's high check your power supply (but remember it's volts AC) and see what it's putting out.

[crazydean]

I am actually using a Genny 1 PS. However it is rated at 850mA and 13V, I think. I will check that out later tonight when I get home though, thanks.

[crazydean]

Alright, so it's all together and as promised, I have some pictures. I actually did a partial gut, but left the voltage regulator stuff alone. To hold the headphone jack in place, I soldered a very thin washer from a guitar potentiometer onto the plate. The potentiometer's hole was small enough to get the headphone jack through and clamped on. The DIN actually had to be epoxy'd in. The reason I chose to mount everything to the motherboard and not the case is that this is easier to take apart, should I need to in the future.



The hole had to be cut out by a small amount for the DIN to fit, but you can hardly tell. The headphone jack fits perfectly.




If you're wondering about where I mounted the switch, it's on the front, somewhere...


Here!


The switch fits quite well, and I'm very happy with the placement. You can easily get the cartridge in and out, and it remains hidden when you close the door.

[Desh]

Nice job!  Pretty cool idea on the palette switch placement.