Replacing some parts...

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:40 pm

Well, some time this week I'll be going to radioshack to pick up a .1uf capacitor and an LM317 regulator for my NESp. I think one of these parts went, causing the drop in voltage within my power circuit. My last 1uf capacitor was non polarized, and this time I'm going to buy a polarized one like in Ben's book. I hope this fixes the power problem...and then if it does, I'm going to take a dive and try the LED mod so instead of having 1.5 hours battery life...I'll have more towards 3 hours.

EDIT:I went to Radioshack and they didn't have an LM317T regulator, but they did have 1uf cap's. So I got one and here are my results when installing it.
Good news: Screen turns on
Bad news: Video/Audio doesn't work

My power circuit is installed correctly and all my grounds are connected, and I promise you there isn't a loose connection to be found So I hope if there is anything wrong, that I just need a new LM317T regulator...maybe in the time being I'll led mod my screen.

Lucretius · Post by **Lucretius** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 6:41 pm

Keep us posted, I'm really interested to see how this turns out...

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 7:52 pm

Lucretius wrote:Keep us posted, I'm really interested to see how this turns out...

I'm glad to see your interested

I already had a thread on my nesp when it was originally completed...hopefully I can get it up and running soon. Then I plan on making a vacuum formed case for it and also start my snesp project. But as of now, I'm thinking slightly ahead of myself so I'll be sure to keep you guys posted

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:52 pm

UPDATE: Double yay for today..hah that rhymed

1) I successifully did the LED mod to my psone screen and it works great even with only 3 led's in the screen itself. I realized that from doing this mod that it actually stopped another problem I had previously with my speaker. Usually when there was no music supposed to be playing on the nes I would get a slight ringing sound from the speakers, and since I did the mod I don't have this problem anymore!

Thats not really big news, but it surely annoyed the heck out of me

2) Kinda offtopic, but I modded my GP2x with the madcatz retrocon analog stick. I may do a how to and post it for you guys if I have spare time. The mod literally took only 2 minutes to do and its well worth doing it

Well tomorrow I'm going up to Mommouth and were stopping off at a radioshack there so hopefully they will have an LM317T regulator for me to try out on the nesp. I really hope this fixes the problem.

And thats it with the news today....stay classy Sandiego. I'm Ron Burgandy? (gotta love anchorman)

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:30 pm

good job hope the NESp is back up soon

try not to post the gp2x stuff here id reccomend heading over the gp32x forums,

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 5:39 pm

Turbo Tax 1.0 wrote:good job hope the NESp is back up soon

try not to post the gp2x stuff here id reccomend heading over the gp32x forums,

I just got the parts today...I'm gonna hook it up and see what happens

Sorry about the GP2x stuff...I mine as well post it over there since I havent seen a how-to on it yet.

Post by **Skyone** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:01 pm

Heh, interesting. I too have found that Radio Shack doesn't have any selection of Regulators. I get 'em of JameCo.

Clicky Clicky!

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 6:40 pm

Thanks for the link but I found my regulators at a different Radioshack

Well the bad news is the LM317T reg didnt make a difference

I may check with my multimeter again if I get different voltages. I guess I can check off that I fixed my power circuit and now I should probably look at the 7805 regulator on my nes. I have another spair with me so I could always swap that part and see what happens...but I don't know if thats the problem. Eh, if anyone knows where I should check next...please by all means post here.

Post by **Skyone** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:13 pm

Ah that's too bad. I wish I could help but I have no clue what could be wrong.

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 7:17 pm

Well I checked with my multimeter and it seems that I'm still only getting 8.5v on the left pin of my 7805 regulator. I don't think this would be the problem because I have 0v for my ground pin and 4.55v for the pin on the right. (Sorry I forgot the names for each of these pins so just bare with me) In order for the screen to run, 7.2v is required to at least have it light up. According to some internet resources, the NES needs at least 9 volts for it to run. Unfortunately I'm still another .5v short which can definitely make a difference if I figure out what is stopping me to get up to 9v. Before when I had it working, the left pin on the 7805 was 9.75-10.55v

If I'm right, then I know I didn't fry anything, the 7805 still looks like its working, the eletrolytric capcitor was replaced which made my screen run causing the voltage to increase, and the led mod solved my audio problem by pure accident. My new hypothesis is that one of the resistors died...I don't know if they can because I know virtually nothing about them. Obviously something is still wrong with the power circuit. Maybe I should check that out with a multimeter too.

Well I'm done with more rambling as usual...my head hurts

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:46 pm

Well, I made my decision I'm just going to redo my circuit from scratch. I believe the resistors involved probably died out too. In this case, I'll just take my existing LM317 reg, 1uf capacitor, and .1uf capacitor and start building it on a new pc board since my old one has a couple copper traces missing which makes it a pain to solder stuff onto. I'll be replacing the resistors with new ones. I hope I can figure this out sometime soon.

Post by **Gamelver** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:53 pm

well, the NES only takes 5V, from the 7805, and you're definitely putting over 7.2V into it....might be something wrong with the NES

.

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:40 pm

Well, I wouldn't say that yet, because yesterday I tested with my multimeter that I'm still not feeding enough volts to my screen. I should be getting 7.2 and I found out I'm getting 6.82v When I press the volume bar, it shows up as purple instead of green...which I think means I have low power. I wan't to at least get the correct voltages before trashing another NES

Its worth a shot.

Post by **Gamelver** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:06 pm

ah, must be it....that's not enough volts for the 7805, either...

minkster · Post by **minkster** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:44 pm

Well I'm reviving my already dead topic (I think I'm allowed to do that). Well today I replaced three resistors to my power circuit. I believe it was a 680ohm, 150ohm, and 3.8k that go into the lm317t regulator. I have everything soldered correctly, but once again...nothing. I also didn't get the volume bars on the screen anymore. But I noticed I didnt get this a couple weeks ago either. I'm hoping my battery is just low on power. I'm gonna recharge it. But I do have a feeling replacing it didnt really solve anything. I guess I'll find out tomorow. Eh, this project keeps getting more depressing by the minute.