JPN-PAL PSU swap

[manchos]

I just recently picked up a cheap model 1 sega Saturn from Japan and was wondering if I could put the PSU board from my model 2 PAL Saturn in it.



JPN model: hst-3210

PAL model: mk-80200a 50



So I tried it out. It kinda fit. Powered on the system but when a disc was in it was just a black screen and refused to spin/load it. Not sure if it's a duff JPN saturn lens (got it from a junk pile) or if it's not powering the CD spinner enough. If i turn it on without the disc in I get the time/date set screen come up.



Put the PSU board back in my PAL and now games dont seem to work properly. Usually freeze or black screen once I get into/past title screens.



Have I messed up the power board?

[zyrobs]

There are 3 power supply types. Type A is for VA0 models only, they are attached to the top of the case. Type B is used in VA1 to VA5 units, they are 5-pin, longer boards. Type C is used in VA6 to 15, they are 4-pin, shorter boards (on PAL models, they are 5-pin).

The pinouts differ between type B and C, so if you somehow pushed a type C into a type B board, you may have damaged the board.

[RealBlue]

If you can find one pick up an Asian Saturn like I did. JPN game compatability with a 230v PSU. No need for a step-down converter. Perfect... But expensive and probably hard to find.

[chewdiggy]

Is there a way to find out compatibility from the serial numbers? I've found a UK Model 2 Saturn that is faulty but powers on and want to put the PSU into my Jap Model 2. Will I just have to order and hope when I open it up they are compatible?

[fightingvipers]

We have a resident Saturn tech im sure he will be along to tell you what to look for.

[zyrobs]

Jul 18, 2014 14:19:41 GMT chewdiggy said:

Is there a way to find out compatibility from the serial numbers? I've found a UK Model 2 Saturn that is faulty but powers on and want to put the PSU into my Jap Model 2. Will I just have to order and hope when I open it up they are compatible?

I feel like I'm repeating myself but:

There are 3 PSU form factors that Saturns use, the service manuals apparently call them Type A, B, C.

Type A is only used in VA0 motherboards, it is hold onto the top of the case. Pinouts are gnd, gnd, 3.3v, 5v, (not connected), 9v.
Type B is used in VA1 to 5, it is the "longer" power supply, always 5 pin with pinouts being gnd, gnd, 3.3v, 5v, 9v.
Type C is used from VA6 to VA15, it is the "shorter" power supply. NTSC machines have 4 pins: gnd, gnd, 5v, 5v. PAL machines use 5 pins: gnd, gnd, 5v, 5v, 9/12v.

You can check which board your machine has from the serial number. It uses a syntax of (manufacturer code), (year), (VA#), and 6 number for a serial (sometimes, rarely, just 5). Manufacturer code can be 1 number, 1 letter, or 2 letters. Year is always the least number of the full year. VA# is the motherboard version.
So B40004930 is manufacturer B, made in 1994, VA0 board, unit #004930.
Or, AD69147854 is manufacturer AD, made in 1996, VA9 board, unit #147854.

[chewdiggy]

Jul 18, 2014 20:04:09 GMT zyrobs said:

Jul 18, 2014 14:19:41 GMT chewdiggy said:

Is there a way to find out compatibility from the serial numbers? I've found a UK Model 2 Saturn that is faulty but powers on and want to put the PSU into my Jap Model 2. Will I just have to order and hope when I open it up they are compatible?

I feel like I'm repeating myself but:

There are 3 PSU form factors that Saturns use, the service manuals apparently call them Type A, B, C.

Type A is only used in VA0 motherboards, it is hold onto the top of the case. Pinouts are gnd, gnd, 3.3v, 5v, (not connected), 9v.
Type B is used in VA1 to 5, it is the "longer" power supply, always 5 pin with pinouts being gnd, gnd, 3.3v, 5v, 9v.
Type C is used from VA6 to VA15, it is the "shorter" power supply. NTSC machines have 4 pins: gnd, gnd, 5v, 5v. PAL machines use 5 pins: gnd, gnd, 5v, 5v, 9/12v.

You can check which board your machine has from the serial number. It uses a syntax of (manufacturer code), (year), (VA#), and 6 number for a serial (sometimes, rarely, just 5). Manufacturer code can be 1 number, 1 letter, or 2 letters. Year is always the least number of the full year. VA# is the motherboard version.
So B40004930 is manufacturer B, made in 1994, VA0 board, unit #004930.
Or, AD69147854 is manufacturer AD, made in 1996, VA9 board, unit #147854.

Thanks for the reply, sorry if you feel you're repeating yourself.

[alf]

Hello,

About this 4 pin PSU from NTSC consoles.
I've just received my JPN Sega Saturn. I bought an Action Replay and modchip, to make it compatible with every possible disc from every region
The modchip is v3 universal and it needs 5V supply, so i will solder a proper wire to 5V supply on PSU.
The question is: which 5V output should i use from PSU ?
Because i've read from markings on the PSU that pins are (starting from the front of the console): gnd, gnd, 5V2A, 5V1A.
In my opinion, the last 2 pins are both 5V outputs, but what is the difference ? Should I interpret 2A and 1A as a current efficiency ? Which one should I take as a power supply for my modchip ?

Below you can see a photo of my console:
 

[zyrobs]

Either 5v pins will work.

Personally, I have recently started to use the 5v pin on the underside of the CD drive instead of the power supply. Simply because it is less likely to break loose during transit, won't add solder blobs to those huge PSU pins (or accidentally scorch the plastic), and so I don't have to bring out the soldering iron any time I just want to disassemble the machine.

[alf]

Thanks! OK, i will not solder it to 5V, there is another good method of connecting 5V to the modchip without using soldering iron, just take a look at the picture below, i've received it with manual for the modchip.

[chrid]

Sorry to revive a dead thread but I thought it was better to keep it all in one place. So I recently purchased a minty derby stalion skeleton Saturn from Japan. Knowing full well about the need for a step down converter I bought one and was all good. But in my haste one day after reorganizing all my consoles I plugged 240v straight into it thus frying the psu (looks like its repairable just a couple popped caps). So being impatient like I am I thought I should swap a pal psu into the dead machine. Tested all the pins with a multi meter and it looked sweet, and the Japanese Saturn doesn't require the 9/12v pin from the pal psu. Plugged it in and its working great. The main reason I'm posting this is that I couldn't find an example of anyone doing this without some sort of modification. So that if there are others out there wanting to know it can be done assuming you have the right Saturn and the right psu etc.

[bring]

FYI. With a bit of deft Soldering, a steady drill hand and few parts from a broken typeA psu, a typeB psu will fit happily in place of a typeA psu. Although there will be no room for a case fan if you were lucky enough to have one fitted.