Bought a PCE Duo Should I send it in for a cap replacement?

brockmoreno · 09/26/2017, 03:55 PM

As stated I bought a working PCE Duo but I have heard about all the issues with the caps. Should I send it in to have them replaced right away or just wait to see if I develop issues? Also how hard would it be to do a RGB mod myself if I have beginner soldering skills?

Nazi NecroPhile · 09/26/2017, 04:02 PM

If it hasn't been done already, recap NOW! If you wait for troubles to appear, odds are that the leaked cap juice will have eaten traces, damaged other components, etc.

turboswimbz · 09/26/2017, 06:15 PM

Yup if the caps are original do it ASAP. I'd Check the section here on the RBG mod that'll give you an idea. I personally have not tried it so I can't say, but there are several members here who have a great deal of knowledge doing them who will chime in.

brockmoreno · 09/28/2017, 09:34 AM

Alright I talked to the seller and the unit was recapped but he is not sure if they did the whole unit.

turboswimbz · 09/28/2017, 11:46 AM

It should be somewhat easy to open and see if there are old caps. they should mostly be obvious. if it's already done then you are good.

MobiusStripTech · 09/29/2017, 02:36 PM

Honestly even if it was recapped, open it. I have had to repair previous recap jobs because the person who did the recap either used garbage caps or didn't clean everything.

Keith Courage · 09/29/2017, 09:29 PM

Quote from: MobiusStripTech on 09/29/2017, 02:36 PMHonestly even if it was recapped, open it. I have had to repair previous recap jobs because the person who did the recap either used garbage caps or didn't clean everything.

I 2nd that. I've had to redo many cap changes done by previous people. Usually things not cleaned up well at all and typically I find a few caps with leads that are bridging over other traces on the board. Sometimes I find some cap leads are not even soldered into place.

ds1724 · 12/25/2017, 10:58 PM

I can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps. everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise?

Nazi NecroPhile · 12/26/2017, 09:33 AM

Quote from: ds1724 on 12/25/2017, 10:58 PMI can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps. everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise?

I can't say which ones specifically are open to work immediately, but thesteve, chops, mnkydeth, keith, mobius, and turbokon all do repair work at times.

turboswimbz · 12/26/2017, 10:28 AM

Quote from: guest on 12/26/2017, 09:33 AM
Quote from: ds1724 on 12/25/2017, 10:58 PMI can't find anyone to send my Duo into to replace the caps. everything I find is from years ago and seems to be no longer valid; can anyone advise?
I can't say which ones specifically are open to work immediately, but thesteve, chops, mnkydeth, keith, mobius, and turbokon all do repair work at times.

Mnky was backed up/ taking a break last time I checked, but Chop, Keith, Steve, and Turbokon were all open last time I checked a few months ago. I've had all of them do work for me in the past with no issues. Try Pming them directly. Only Kieth actively monitors the forum regularly.

SiberianSpForces · 12/26/2017, 12:14 PM

A guy that's on Atari Age does recaps. Get a hold of him via his site for a quote;
http://www.acill.com/

MobiusStripTech · 12/27/2017, 01:37 AM

I'm still actively taking on work. I keep caps for duo's in stock.

Nodoka75 · 12/27/2017, 10:00 AM

Quote from: Keith Courage on 09/29/2017, 09:29 PMI 2nd that. I've had to redo many cap changes done by previous people. Usually things not cleaned up well at all and typically I find a few caps with leads that are bridging over other traces on the board. Sometimes I find some cap leads are not even soldered into place.

I agree. DUO's, Mega CD1 and GameGear are prone to similar problems due to SMT caps, sometimes I must spend a lot of time to remove the previous job and properly clean the PCB

I can do Recap/RGB mod on DUO :

https://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=628289AVAPDUO.jpg
https://img15.hostingpics.net/thumbs/mini_628289AVAPDUO.jpg

I'm from France, though.