MOD - Homemade converters

[juanito]

Thought I'd add the PCE adaptor I made to the gallery.  Looks like it's similar to the idea Chop5 had in the first picture of his first post.

I made it out of an original 32bit PCI extension cable (not PCI-E), something like this:

I removed all but one ribbon cable, cut the bottom PCB to the size of a hucard, removed the pins from one side of the PCI slot and widened the slot a bit with a dremel so a hucard could fit in.  Then I cut the traces on the top PCB for the 8 data lines to rewire.  The bottom PCB needed a little plastic or tape since it was too thin to make contact in the cartridge slot without it.  It's been working great for my use in a Duo.  I don't have a TurboExpress to try it with, but it holds the hucard and plugs into the system snug enough that neither would fall out, although the ribbon cable may be a bit long.

Hope this helps anyone looking to make an adaptor.  I think it cost me about $6~7.

thanks a ton for the information, im going to attempt to make one of your adapters after seeing that the only adaptors made sell for $200+ which is ridic (i wish krizz the maker of the everdrives would make a nice converter pcb, and it would be a reasonable price too, problem is getting slot connectors)

i ordered the adapter from ebay for like $4.57
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-Bits-Flexible-PCI-Riser-Slot-Extender-Cable-Adapter-Extension-Converter-Cable-/300639632092?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45ff84badc

im going to be using it on a laseractive pac-n10 system so i have additional problems with it being a mostly enclosed slot
i dont think the ribbon cable is sturdy enough to push the connector all the way in

ive got some funny ideas that will make this work with it, ill post a pic after im done

all this just to use a pce arcade duo card

[thesteve]

region mod it

[fraggore]

would be easyer

[wildfruit]

its not homemade but works fine
bit cheaper than a kisado and fits quite snug

[wyndcrosser]

its not homemade but works fine
bit cheaper than a kisado and fits quite snug

If you read this, when did you get that adapter?

[ishiyakazuo]

Hi all,
I'm working on starting up a side business selling various homebrew video game accessories for consoles from the 80s and 90s, and the "chopsado" idea caught my eye.  I've been working on developing a Kisado-clone (with some added bonuses thrown in) for a couple of months now, but I need some seed money.  I work for an engineering company that could probably order some custom, somewhat professional "chopsado" flex PCBs on the cheap, taking away the work of making them out of ribbon cables and carefully soldering wires.  I think I could probably get the price down to a few bucks per (something along the lines of $4 each incl. shipping for qty. 1, and 10 for $30?), but I'm wondering if there are people out there interested enough in this idea to commit to buying a few before I take the monetary plunge here to get them fabbed.  I have high confidence that they will be a great compromise in terms of robustness and reusability.
Just curious if people were interested in the idea.  My current plan is to put them on eBay for something around 5 bucks a pop, and then sell them to members of this forum for less directly.
Does this seem like something worth doing?  It would help fund my development of the full-blown Kisado-clone, which will require some significant efforts on my part to complete.
Anyway, let me know your thoughts on it

[db-electronics]

Hi all, new to this forum - was recommended by a few users to come join the discussion!

On the topic of homemade converters, I recently made this:
http://www.db-elec.com/home/pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

My converter allows to play both PCe and TG16 games on a TG16 console - so far tested on NTSC and PAL variants. There is a switch to convert between the two different databus configurations.

I'm looking for input, suggestions, and what not, to help improve the converter!

Thanks...

[NecroPhile]

Looks neato, db.  What's the socket made from?

[db-electronics]

Looks neato, db. What's the socket made from?

That's the difficult part isn't it? I couldn't find anything on the market (without going custom) that matches the PCe/TG16's weird 38pos 0.050" spacing and 0.093" thick edge connection.

I mounted two 20pos spring-loaded connectors upside-down and side by side to make the connection to the HuCard - the two outermost pins are unused but that's not an issue. The two Pin Headers which serve as interconnect between my two boards also serve as alignment guides for the HuCards. Lining up the whole thing is kind-of a pain but it's well worth it (I'm getting better at the process). I've made about 30 thus far.

I will be posting a youtube video of the process in the next couple of weeks.

[MotherGunner]

Any chance you could talk prices?

[db-electronics]

Bulk pricing? Or just a one off?

[MotherGunner]

Bulk pricing? Or just a one off?

Would be interested in knowing both.  Thanks!

[db-electronics]

Send me an e-mail and we'll discuss it further...

[esteban]

I just read this thread, consulted website and watched the video: awesome!

 

[ishiyakazuo]

Just out of curiosity, why is the switch desirable?  Is it to reduce wear and tear on the connector inside the TG16 from pulling this out to play TG16 games?
Very cool design, by the way, I like it!  Mind if I ask where you get your PCBs manufactured?  The places I've used in the past have a fit if it exceeds 100mm, which that clearly does.

[db-electronics]

Yeah I'm also beginning to wonder if I should just remove the switch and have the user pull out the converter when you play a US game. Either way, the switch and ICs to reverse the databus are not contributing much to the cost.

I get my PCBs made at http://smart-prototyping.com/index.php?route=common/home. I've ordered over 1000 boards of different designs from them without a hitch. Turnaround is pretty quick too, I think 3 weeks is the max it ever took to get a batch of boards at my doorstep.

The one drawback from Smart-Prototyping, when it comes to the TG-16, is that they don't make 0.093" thick board (which is the thickness of the HuCard).

[MotherGunner]

Hey db, I was checking out your YouTube video and it dawned on me:  Does your converter accommodate thicker HuCARDs such as the Arcade Card Pro?  Street Fighter 2?

Thanks

[db-electronics]

I have Street Fighter 2, it works in the converter. I can make an updated video if you'd like?

[MotherGunner]

Oh awesome, so does the converter accommodate the thickness as opposed to where the raised part begins?

[db-electronics]

I added a couple of pictures of the converter with SF2 on my website to better answer your questions. Check it out:

http://www.db-elec.com/home/pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

[esadajr]

Just found out about this. Looks awesome, congratulations and thanks for the hard work DB.

[Paddyfitz18]

Awesome.

[NightWolve]

Does chop still make/sell these?  Someone in one of the NEC Facebook groups might be interested. If you see this chop and wanna reach him, the name's Stephen Hawkey.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4169358687544&set=gm.722230097844770&type=1&theater

[ctophil]

Hello everybody,

I am a pretty new Turbografx-16 collector.  So I just heard about Chop and DB-Elec who make homemade converters to play import games.  Obviously, import converters are quite expensive on Ebay these days and just plain hard to find.  I'm just looking for a cheaper alternative from Chop, DB-Elec, or anybody who still make and sell these converters.  Thanks so much.

[db-electronics]

I'm going to have more for sale very soon, I like to think that my converters are not outrageously priced!

[ctophil]

Sounds good, DB-Elec.  I have seen your converters on Ebay before.  Your prices are much lower than the red converters on Ebay right now (looks like Kisado?), which is great for folks who want to get a converter without using their gold bars.  lol.  However, your converter price is still a little bit high for me.  But I'll probably grab one when I got the money.  I still appreciate your hard work for making it possible.

[clackattack]

I have tried one of the convertors DB is making and it worked awesome for the import games, but my friend and I had no luck with Super System card 3.0 or Arcade Pro card. Decided to go full region mod on mine after we determined this

[db-electronics]

I have tried one of the convertors DB is making and it worked awesome for the import games, but my friend and I had no luck with Super System card 3.0 or Arcade Pro card. Decided to go full region mod on mine after we determined this

That's odd because I've heard from numerous other clients that the Super System Card 3.0 was compatible with my converter. No one, to my knowledge, had tested with the Arcade Pro Card yet - though if I remember correctly it also doesn't work with other converters.

[wildfruit]

its not homemade but works fine
bit cheaper than a kisado and fits quite snug

If you read this, when did you get that adapter?

April 2013 I think

[ishiyakazuo]

Just in case someone's looking here for info on converters, there is a mod that can be done to the db converters with the switch that involves removing the switch and rewiring a few things (the data lines) to make it work with the Super System card.  It's not that hard, really -- I'm pretty crappy at soldering and I got it done.

[ldeveraux]

DB, do you still have plans of refining the Henshin build process, or are you going full bore on the Turbo at this point? I'm debating between Henshin and region MOD and just wanted to know if they'd be available again!

[db-electronics]

DB, do you still have plans of refining the Henshin build process, or are you going full bore on the Turbo at this point? I'm debating between Henshin and region MOD and just wanted to know if they'd be available again!

Not sure what you mean by refining the build process? But yes I will keep building more as time permits...

[ldeveraux]

I thought I read that you said the creation process for the PC Henshin took too long and was a pain to complete. i thought you were working on an easier process to make them.

Good to know, I'm certainly interested.

[db-electronics]

I thought I read that you said the creation process for the PC Henshin took too long and was a pain to complete. i thought you were working on an easier process to make them.

Good to know, I'm certainly interested.

Oh! Yes they are absolutely a pain to make. I use two 20 position connectors which I machine in house in order to meet the specs of the HuCard pinout. It's lengthy work but I find it relaxing to work in my shop...

An alternative would be to have a custom connector made but I would need to buy at least 500 up front plus a hefty tooling fee - so obviously this is not a viable solution for the small TG-16 / PCE market...

[ldeveraux]

Hey DB,
I got a converter from one of your approved sellers, but I'm having issues. I'm trying to use a japanese SSC3 to play CDs that require 3.0. I can access the card, but any game I try still says I need the "super system cd-rom2". Any clue what's going on here?

[db-electronics]

Hey DB,
I got a converter from one of your approved sellers, but I'm having issues. I'm trying to use a japanese SSC3 to play CDs that require 3.0. I can access the card, but any game I try still says I need the "super system cd-rom2". Any clue what's going on here?

do you have the PC-Henshin or Turbo PC-Henshin because only the Turbo is supposed to work with those...

[ldeveraux]

It's from Retro Towers, and I think it's just the converter (unless you made some new PC-Henshins). Maybe the converter doesn't work with SSC, but the PC-Henshin should, right?

[db-electronics]

It's from Retro Towers, and I think it's just the converter (unless you made some new PC-Henshins). Maybe the converter doesn't work with SSC, but the PC-Henshin should, right?

I made a table to address this:

archive.db-elec.com/./pc-engine-to-turbografx16-converter

Basically, I have three versions:

TG-16 Converter (PCE on TG16)
PC-Henshin (PCE on TG16, PCE system cards on TG16)
Turbo PC-Henshin (PCE on TG16, PCE system cards on TG16, TG16 on PCE)

Edit: I believe the last time I sold to Retrotowers it was still only the TG-16 converter...

[ldeveraux]

Yeah I saw that chart, even before I ordered with them. I just assumed I was ordering the henshin, though looks like I may have wasted $55. Do you know if there are any Henshin out there anywhere for purchase?

[db-electronics]

Yeah I saw that chart, even before I ordered with them. I just assumed I was ordering the henshin, though looks like I may have wasted $55. Do you know if there are any Henshin out there anywhere for purchase?

Yeah Retrotowers.co.uk doesn't have the PC-Henshin and they don't advertise it as such on their site either. Tell you what, I actually didn't bother keeping an older model (like the one you have) - how about you PM me and we'll do a switch-a-roo for a PC-Henshin?

[roflmao]

This might not be the appropriate place to bring this up, but I have one of db-elec's SMS Power Base Mini carts and it works great with the Retron 5, in place of the official Power Base Converter. Good stuff!