verplanck
Offline
#btv

I'm working with a DMG I picked up from an old neighbor, and it has a few issues:

- a few columns of pixels on the right handside are dead (not too bad for viewing the LSDJ interface),
- the right audio channel is very weak (not dead),
- there's static when i adjust the volume,
- there's background hum when LSDJ is not playing

I'm not worried about the pixel thing, but the audio quality, and especially the bad right hand channel, are annoying.  From browsing around, looks like the prosound audio jack mod will fix this, and perhaps a new cap kit.  Is there any repair i can do to the existing components, or am i stuck with buying new stuff?  Or should i scrap this dmg and look for a better one? 

I'd like to work with what I have and save a bit of cash, but if there's no alternative...

cheers,

- vc

Boner
Offline
United States

the volume pot is dirty/bad.
---> http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/images/deoxit2.JPG and/or prosound mod.

hum when not playing is normal.

Vile
Offline
San Diego

To be honest, the parts for this wouldn't be that expensive. Kitsch-bent offers a cap kit for $5 USD.--> http://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/capacitor-kits  A pro-sound mod could be anywhere from about $2-$5, depending on what jack you get. Nonfinite offers a kit for $4 USD --> http://www.nonelectronics.com/catalog/i … afl5iolk87 And if you care to repair the lines it takes less then 5 min, especially if you've already got the DMG open.-->Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHTD12G7368  Part 2-  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPFZ3vS5Sxo

In all, these are all very cheap fixes and the DMG would run like new afterwards. I don't think you'd really have to worry about the cap kit if you checked the solder joints of the volume pot and give the system a good cleaning but if the issue persists then give it a whirl. I would keep this DMG and just fix it up, but that's me personally. smile  If you'd rather not deal with it, I could always take it off your hands of course. wink

Vile
Offline
San Diego

For the youtube videos, on the first one you can skip to about the middle part, and the second one you can cut off the first minute or so. The guy goes on and on about where he got that Gameboy and how much he got it for. hmm  It's still one of the best video's I've found on repairing vertical lines on DMGs screens by far.

verplanck
Offline
#btv

Thanks, vile. I was looking at kitch bent's prosound kit, which was $22, and was trying to see if there was anything cheaper.  Looks like your link does the job.  What does K-B's kit do that the nonfinite kit doesn't?  Looks like the K-B kit Is mounted on a board with a couple caps on it?

Glad to hear there is something I can do about the lines, from reading other threads I was worried that there wasn't much I could do.

eme7h
Offline
México, DF.
verplanck wrote:

Thanks, vile. I was looking at kitch bent's prosound kit, which was $22, and was trying to see if there was anything cheaper.  Looks like your link does the job.  What does K-B's kit do that the nonfinite kit doesn't?  Looks like the K-B kit Is mounted on a board with a couple caps on it?

Glad to hear there is something I can do about the lines, from reading other threads I was worried that there wasn't much I could do.

http://www.aeroplans-blaus.com/312-415- … hembra.jpg
http://www.dadaelectronics.eu/Images/Pr … 206,35.jpg

Apeshit
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verplanck wrote:

Thanks, vile. I was looking at kitch bent's prosound kit, which was $22, and was trying to see if there was anything cheaper.  Looks like your link does the job.  What does K-B's kit do that the nonfinite kit doesn't?  Looks like the K-B kit Is mounted on a board with a couple caps on it?

You can get 3.5mm jacks anywhere, which is probably why Kitsch doesn't sell them. The kit you're talking about is my product, and it's definitely not necessary for someone that wants an inexpensive mod.

If you want to pay actual retail value:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/161 … db8MeoI%3d

Or you can pick up panel mount 3.5mm jacks at radio shack.

Vile
Offline
San Diego

Yeah, the kit from ASM actually is a whole new PCB replacement.(Sorry Apeshit, I always forget to link your site instead hmm) Really nice looking (I got one for my red PIL DMG) but definitely not in the cheap realm. The link ASM posted is actually where I got some 3.5mm jacks. Picked up more then 10 to get a cheaper rate, the nice thing about Nonfinite is he offers the same jack with wires as well. If you're going to order some jacks from mouser just make sure it's worth it, shipping will be around $4-$5 even for just 1 jack. Glad the video's could help. wink

ne7
Offline
UK

re the vol pot static >
volume pot dirt / crackle can be fixed a lot of the time with an application of isopropyl alcohol:

with whatever you are applying it to off (with batteries removed etc) apply a little to the spin wheel or pot underside groove with a q-tip and give it a turn working it into the wheel and unit, keep doing this for a while then leave it for an hour or so to 100% dry out, you should have a much better volume wheel/pot now (works on most things :)

the noise usually comes from pots / wheels picking up lots of dust and grease from continual use, and the isopropyl helps to shift that + as it is such pure alcohol you dont have to worry about it damaging the internals of your dmg's etc - it is commonly used as electrical contact cleaner. just make sure you give whatever you are cleaning enuff time to dry out properly before plugging it in... (it drys SUPER fast in the air - for example on cart connectors, but will take longer if it is doing so inside/on gears etc)

hope that helps \o_

Last edited by ne7 (Feb 2, 2012 9:32 am)