Sega CD model 2 full restoration plus some additional goodies.
Starting off with the basics, a full motherboard recap and CD drive TLC. Photos are before/after.
Starting off with the basics, a full motherboard recap and CD drive TLC. Photos are before/after.
You may have noticed some new wires sticking out. These are connected to the fuse and battery locations to make both of them easily replaceable for the future owner.
Fuse is a common 5x20mm ceramic fuse and the new battery is a Maxell ML2032.
Fuse is a common 5x20mm ceramic fuse and the new battery is a Maxell ML2032.
Unnecessary but something I like to do, replace old dirty ports. 'Fancy' gold plated RCA audio jacks and a new power jack.
A little hard to reach, the original voltage regulator is replaced with a slightly beefier 1.5a version and fresh thermal paste is added. Voltage regulators take the power from the AC adapter and 'regulate' it into a voltage more usable for the console.
Additional touch-ups to the motherboard include redone solder connections to various parts that experience mechanical stress. Anything that has lots of plugging and unplugging can cause the old solder to crack, making connections spotty or unusable
Genesis connector before/after
Genesis connector before/after
This particular CD drive was dirtier than usual, lots of dirt and even a wood chip stuck to some crusty grease. The entire CD drive was disassembled, cleaned with isopropyl alcohol, and regeased with Shin Etsu G501 silicone grease.
CD drive laser was then calibrated with my oscilloscope, following the official service manual.
Here's some slowed down footage I took while tweaking EF balance. This helps the laser keep it's place on the disc. Look for the spikes. The game here is to even out the peaks.
Here's some slowed down footage I took while tweaking EF balance. This helps the laser keep it's place on the disc. Look for the spikes. The game here is to even out the peaks.
With all the hard work out of the way, all that's left is to clean the shell. One of my gripes with the Sega CD model 2 is a slow to open tray and a mushy tray button. Both of these things can be remedied with some cleaning and G501 plastic grease.
Smooth and quick opening.
Smooth and quick opening.
A buff with some Aerospace 303 and some additional testing later, this Sega CD is ready for its new home with @madlittlepixel
I'm sorry it took so long for this MLP. I went through 3 different Sega CDs and picked parts out of all of them to get everything perfect.
I'm sorry it took so long for this MLP. I went through 3 different Sega CDs and picked parts out of all of them to get everything perfect.
