Sega Game Gear caps replacement help

[PodgePapin]

Hi, I'm looking at replacing the caps on my Game Gear, but I can't seem to find a decisive answer for the particular board in my system. 

 

It is a 837-9130 va1 board, I would like to find out if anyone knows anything about them and can help with finding the right list of caps I will need. I have also Included a photo of the main board.

 

Thanks, Paul.

[PowerPCFan]

Does my quick Amazon search help?  

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sega-Game-Gear-Capacitor-Replacement-Kit/dp/B005VR2OUG

 

It's ok if it doesn't

 

 

[IkeaGnome]

[Needfuldoer]

The wiki over at Console5 should help you out:

 

https://wiki.console5.com/wiki/Game_Gear

 

They also sell cap kits for reasonable prices.

 

Can you post a clear, high res photo of your board?

[Aimbit]

3 hours ago, Needfuldoer said:

The wiki over at Console5 should help you out:

 

https://wiki.console5.com/wiki/Game_Gear

 

They also sell cap kits for reasonable prices.

 

Can you post a clear, high res photo of your board?

OP -- this is a great option, console5 is an excellent website for these kits. You would want this one, https://console5.com/store/sega-game-gear-cap-kit-for-va1-models.html

 

However -- I would do this one because I believe the Console5 kit uses standard radial electrolytic caps as replacements, see my explanation below. https://retrosix.co.uk/Game-Gear-Capacitor-Kit-p141462762

 

The Retrosix kit includes surface mount capacitors (as opposed to radial caps) that will much more easy install. With the electrolytic caps you have to bend/cut the legs on nearly every one to install them correctly because they have to lay flat rather than standing up. The SMD caps just install flat on the board very easily. Also RetroSix has a youtube video of him installing the caps that you can follow along with.

 

Good luck!

[PodgePapin]

15 hours ago, PowerPCFan said:

Does my quick Amazon search help?  

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sega-Game-Gear-Capacitor-Replacement-Kit/dp/B005VR2OUG

 

It's ok if it doesn't

 

 

Sorry, but it doesn't. Thanks so much for your input, it was invaluable

[PodgePapin]

12 hours ago, Aimbit said:

OP -- this is a great option, console5 is an excellent website for these kits. You would want this one, https://console5.com/store/sega-game-gear-cap-kit-for-va1-models.html

 

However -- I would do this one because I believe the Console5 kit uses standard radial electrolytic caps as replacements, see my explanation below. https://retrosix.co.uk/Game-Gear-Capacitor-Kit-p141462762

 

The Retrosix kit includes surface mount capacitors (as opposed to radial caps) that will much more easy install. With the electrolytic caps you have to bend/cut the legs on nearly every one to install them correctly because they have to lay flat rather than standing up. The SMD caps just install flat on the board very easily. Also RetroSix has a youtube video of him installing the caps that you can follow along with.

 

Good luck!

Thanks very much. I'll check this out, its very helpful information. I'll see how I get on with this. 

[PodgePapin]

15 hours ago, Needfuldoer said:

The wiki over at Console5 should help you out:

 

https://wiki.console5.com/wiki/Game_Gear

 

They also sell cap kits for reasonable prices.

 

Can you post a clear, high res photo of your board?

I'll see if I have a clearer picture of it,I don't know if I actually included it in my og post, I thought I had added it, sorry. otherwise I will try to take another. Thanks.

[Aimbit]

Pic is a bit blurry, but those caps look corroded to me, though may just be blur... prepare yourself for the smell of rotten eggs when you de-solder these.

 

Also you may want to look up some youtube videos about removing the caps, they are glued down, and the ones on the audio PCB are annoying to remove, I've ripped some traces before. The ones on the main board I cut the plastic shield off then de-solder and kind of pry the remaining plastic off the glue. The ones on the audio board were corroded to the board, made them difficult to remove. I've seen videos saying to 'twist' them out... but take a look yourself.

[PodgePapin]

On 1/24/2024 at 1:46 AM, Aimbit said:

Pic is a bit blurry, but those caps look corroded to me, though may just be blur... prepare yourself for the smell of rotten eggs when you de-solder these.

 

Also you may want to look up some youtube videos about removing the caps, they are glued down, and the ones on the audio PCB are annoying to remove, I've ripped some traces before. The ones on the main board I cut the plastic shield off then de-solder and kind of pry the remaining plastic off the glue. The ones on the audio board were corroded to the board, made them difficult to remove. I've seen videos saying to 'twist' them out... but take a look yourself.

Thanks, I thought about attempting it myself, I'd probably be able to do it with some guides but I know someone who deals with board repairs for flight simulators, he said he'd do it if i decided not to do it myself. He'd be able to do it in minutes once I can find out exactly the caps I need to get.