Turbo Duo: top door and laser assembly parts sources?

[ifkz]

This is my second thread, on the advice of a member I duplicated it here.  My TurboDuo project (USA hardware version), a picture:



As you can see, I am in need of the top door/cover for the CD side of things, and also the complete laser assembly (cage, rails, gears, motors, cables, lens, etc.).  So far, my best idea is to import a broken junked donor system from a reseller in Japan, pay out the nose, and swap the missing parts around.  I have no problem doing the capacitor work that I know it needs.  I am, believe it or not, very happy to own it even in the hardware's current state.

Help and advice is greatly appreciated!

[Bernie]

Get with chop here in the forums.  I sent him a junk Duo, and the parts you need for yours were in good shape.

[ifkz]

Hi Bernie,

Which member?  I list ChopperCharles, chop5, & Choplifter.
Thanks for the help so far 

[Bernie]

chop5

[Keith Courage]

I hoping that there isn't something else seriously wrong with the DUO. Anytime I've seen a DUO missing the entire lens assembly it's usually because the CD drive didn't work for whatever reason so the original owner sold it.

[ifkz]

I agree, it is an odd situation.  But, I have done some testing with my existing Duo setup and I can confirm HuCards do work with sound through the headphone jack.  The CD BIOS comes up and also detects an open/closed tray.
My only clues to the past are a large hole drilled in the rear of the top case (for what I assume would be a region switch) and a 2010 date code (when I also assume the unit was scrapped).  My idea is that it was sent off for a mod, it developed the classic case of bad caps, and the owner junked it.  It is a theory anyhow.

My ideas are that I can certainly replace the caps myself, add the missing parts, and I have a wonderful story for a unique addition to my TG collection.  How cool is it to not only to find a Turbo Duo in the wild, but also save it from the grave?

[ifkz]

I had some time late today to do a bit of power end soldering:


Now, my rescued Duo has it's own cords and controller for the first time in many years:


Next up is a complete cap kit.  I have lots of experience with through-hole soldering, but next to none with surface mounted capacitors.  A youtube video from 'gametech' recommends using flush cutters to get rid of these without lifting traces.

Does anyone have a Digikey part list for a USA version Duo?  Or better yet, a complete kit from a favorite vendor?

Any advice is welcome, as is a CD door and complete laser assembly!

[ifkz]

IT BEGINS:


That should be all of these leaky surface mount turd-burglars off of the board.  NEC was really ahead of the curve though, I don't think anyone else had been doing dual sided component-component work like this.  I am impressed.

Next up I will clean up the legs and leaky cap juice and get to work getting it all radial.  Not to worry, those existing radials are going away soon.

The missing parts on the CD side are certainly in the mail to me.  We will see if I can get this back the way it was from the factory:  100% working!  Thanks for all the members who have given support to my project, and most of all, needed parts!

[ifkz]

Well, that was the arcade equivalent of performing two cap kits on a Wells Gardner 4600 monitor...the one with the add on cards.  Anyhow, it took all day, and at power up everything seems fine.  I now have audio back through my AV cable, so it already did some good.  When the CD parts arrive, it will be time to dial everything in.  So far, so good!

[burn_654]

Good for you and I'm glad you're not giving up!  The duo will treat you well when it's fixed up, enjoy it!

[ifkz]

Thanks!  This was my first time doing surface mount cap work and I have to recommend game-tech.us videos on youtube as a great starting point.  I have repaired many of my own arcade monitors that use through-hole technology and, having that experience, this was new to me.  Even the tips on cutting the caps for surface mount application were helpful.

The cap kit alone ran me $16 piecing it together on Digikey, I think anyone that offers a $50 cap kit job on the DUO is almost doing it for the love of the work.  It really took me all day to do this one!  The cleanup from the leaky caps also ate up a lot of time and q-tips...about 20 of them!

Be extra nice to the techs that are willing to offer this service for the DUOs out there, it is not an easy job (especially if the cap electrolyte has eaten through the tracks).  I'm going to remember that rotten fish smell forever now, yuck!

[LostFlunky]

Thanks for making this a "project thread".  Nice work so far!

[ifkz]

No problem!  This is the most exciting 'find/rescue' I have had in a very long time, it is really motivating to try and make it whole again.  I feel I am making good progress from the dusty doorstop that was presented to me just a few weeks ago.  What a story, really; I hope to be able to point at the completed project and tell anyone that's interested the full history of the unit.

It is already paying off, was finally able to finish Ninja Spirit last night on this very unit!

[ifkz]

Replacement parts are in the mail: the unit will soon be re-united with a complete CD door and laser assembly!  What an exciting time for the project, it is nearing completion!

In the meantime, I would like to find a way to plug a 0.5 inch hole a prior owner drilled into the back of the unit.  At auction I found a similar product (Help! Plug Button), but I'm looking for something more rubberized with a flat head. A picture of the hole:


Any ideas?

[NecroPhile]

Have you checked ace hardware?  They have quite a few plug type thingys.

[ifkz]

I had not thought of that.  There is a location in the next town, I'll give them a call, if they have a part it would be worth the drive.

I was hoping for a $3 auction for a piggy bank stopper or something similar, so far no luck with that idea.  Gas here is $3.36 or so a gallon, criminy!

[ifkz]

Lots of news!

First, a thanks to the following PCEFX forum members for helping with my Duo project.  'Keith Courage' for finding all of my missing CD side parts!  'Bernie' and 'Chop5' for taking the time to go through their own parts supply!  'Necromancer' for the tip to go to Ace Hardware for a rear rubber stopper!  Thanks to all!!!

Now my rescued Duo is at 99% functional, whole for the first time in many years:


My bench test setup:


What I am dealing with now:
The CD games spin up and load, though they are a tad slower than my other Duo.  Gate of Thunder's music in game cuts out very far into the level.  This has to be a minor pot adjustment or grease issue.  My test discs are perfect (scratch free) and are 100% legit.  The intro to Last Alert plays perfectly.  Any tips?

[Keith Courage]

try making some very minor adjustments to the right or to the left on the v1.0.1 potentiometer. Also double check that there isn't Grease jammed up at the ends of the lens rails.

[ifkz]

I marked the original position of pot 101 with a sharpie and I turned it the width of a human hair counter clockwise.  This seems to have done the trick!  Everything I'm throwing at it is playing perfectly so far!   

(Now to track down a copy of Lords of Thunder  )

[roflmao]

Woot!