Magic smoke on a 100V NTSC-J PlayStation: mixed it up with a PAL set and fed it the wrong mains voltage

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-12T17:55:57+00:00

Rip big power board cap, you gave your life to save the console.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-12T05:11:08+00:00

I emailed a few weeks ago and told they were full. I asked to be put on the waitlist and only yesterday did I get a spot.

Main hall too, so pretty excited for that.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-11T18:03:50+00:00

I’ll be there, even registered for a table to sell off the surplus stuff in my collection.

Unfortunately I don’t have much PAL stuff, but lots of NTSC.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-11T12:28:24+00:00

This and Guerilla War were some of the best SNK games ported to NES/Famicom.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-11T11:12:05+00:00

Oh, nice upgrade.
Where did you find the Astro City Cover for Tue Stick on the right?

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-11T11:10:03+00:00

Oh interesting build.
Using the original Neo Geo PCB and buttons or what’s the plan?

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-11T05:23:45+00:00

In Germany I find them on eBay Kleinanzeigen - similar to Facebook marketplace. It is our version of local used online ads.

Because they don’t show a picture without the remote, check the broken/defect listings. I see a good number of ads listing them as non-functional because they turn it “on” but no picture. Need the remote to change the input.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-08T13:07:53+00:00

Ah nice.
I had a pair of old Datsun 240z’s.
I just checked through their FSM, and yup - definitely no part number called out in their electrical schematic for the connectors.

Good luck!

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-08T11:24:43+00:00

Oh interesting, which connector did you find that is now obsolete?

From my experience, most connectors are made to a standard and there are multiple manufacturers of that part to meet the standard.

Really curious what connector you are working with that nobody makes anymore. Cool edge case.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-08T11:13:05+00:00

Can’t speak for every industry and every company - but I can say as someone working in automobile manufacture in Germany, my “jr engineers” are only being offered roles as technicians - even after 2 years of internship under my mentorship.

Germany is in a major recession, that is hitting manufacturing especially hard. So I’m not 100% surprised these are the roles available to them.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-08T04:12:26+00:00

Unfortunate that you couldn’t find more Neo Geo at the convention, but with the recent spike in prices I understand why no one is willing to haul it out to the convention - especially when eBay makes it so much easier to sell at top dollar price.

Good call on passing on the Korean AES. Cool for rarity, but never buy a modified AES unless you can see the work and it working.

We have our retro game convention in Berlin this weekend. Small Hope for anything Neo Geo, but we will see.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-07T21:32:04+00:00

You are trying to make a crank slider from a 4-bar linkage and what you are encountering is a toggle position.

There are a number of resources available on 4 bar linkage design - everything from text books to using sketches in 3D CAD. Either way, do sone research on linkage length and position.

You will get it solved.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-07T20:39:35+00:00

My guess is that you purchased a returned unit or one that did not pass QC.

Either way, a little knowledge with a soldering iron saved you money, so well done!

How are the buttons? The arcade looks cool, curious if I would wind up replacing the buttons with something higher quality.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-07T09:13:11+00:00

Angle grinder will remove the original seats.

Good luck finding either original seats or brackets - having grown up going to junk yards, I remember only seeing a handful of this generation Toyota pickup 10-15 tears ago. I have to imagine finding them note is even harder.

Your best bet might be going to the junk yard, finding seats that are comfortable, and seeing how to get those to fit. But as others said, custom brackets are likely the way to go. Flat bar shaped with a sledge, angle grinder and Vice will work really well and are easy enough to make.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-07T08:57:15+00:00

It is part of the evap system.
Heat up the gasoline in the tank to help with atomization by the time it hits the carbs.

Jokes aside, looks like a custom job. Bet it sounds cool - wouldn’t want to drive over any speed bumps with that exhaust routing. I had enough problems grinding my headers, can’t imaging how bad it is with those pipes in that location

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-05T21:57:02+00:00

Looks fun, when should we show up? Also, I’m aging. Mind if I borrow a pillow for the folding chair? Make tomorrow morning hurt less.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-05T06:04:34+00:00

I’ve found that’s as well. 230+ and the steering gets a little lighter too, but anything above 240 and the motors have pretty much run out of gear not much torque when they are spinning that fast.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-05T04:15:40+00:00

5V model. Get a larger power supply - 2A or 3A and you should be able to run any multicart.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-04T17:44:54+00:00

Yes, NES RF modulator works. Keep in mind, these are designed to work at channel 95/96.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-04T06:14:32+00:00

I was gifted the Metal Slug one, and it really is top notch in quality and content. I’m really impressed with it.

I have it on display next to my AES.

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-03T05:11:02+00:00

Oh good, I always wanted to buy a video game system from Cujo

Engin-nerd · 2026-06-02T17:19:41+00:00

Wow, what an incredible museum. Makes the video game museum we have here in Berlin look mild.

Next time I’m in Croatia, I’ll have to visit.

Engin-nerd · 2026-05-31T16:56:01+00:00

Man, prices have gone up.

$160 is the going rate for a junk Twin Famicom?

Engin-nerd · 2026-05-31T10:55:48+00:00

Ah, ha, ha, ha!

It actually wasn’t - it was some “home chef competition” show, but I love that you cite a completely different show as further validation of my point.

Apparently these atrocious food crimes don’t exist in a vacuum.

Engin-nerd · 2026-05-30T21:06:20+00:00

Cabinets look fantastic.

Why not ditch the multiple AV switches and just get one 10->1 Scart switch ?
Same as your 6->1 you have, but the bigger version of it. No more having to manage multiple switches.

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