Turbo Duo RGB video interference issue

incrediblehark · 01/25/2016, 11:27 PM

I have a Turbo Duo that's been region and rgb modded, and everything seems to work well except I am getting wavy diagonal lines of interference on the screen. Need some advice on what the cause of the issue may be and any suggestions for how to resolve it. Here's what I have tried:

viletim's Jailbar fix - Cleared up jailbars but did nothing for this.
Replacement AC Adapter - Using an Enercell universal adapter that I have for my IFU-30, but with a proper tip for Turbo Duo. Unfortunately it did not fix the issue either. There was no improvement from what I saw compared to the stock AC Adapter.

Here are pics of the interference I am referring to:

As a comparison here are screenshots of my RGB Modded IFU-30, using same amp (same circuit and parts) and the exact same RGB cable and AC adapter:

Any help is definitely appreciated, I've been looking for a solution to this for a few years now...

thesteve · 01/25/2016, 11:45 PM

is there a region mod and if so how is it wired
that looks like a wire routing issue where the video lines are running too close to data lines

incrediblehark · 01/26/2016, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the help!

There is a region mod installed. Here is a pic of the inside of the system:

If it is related it would make sense since the ifu-30 doesn't have a region mod obviously. The duo was a system I sent out to have the work done, is there a way I can fix this easily and still have a functioning region switch?

thesteve · 01/26/2016, 12:11 PM

ouch
ok heres the deal
first you need to separate the rgb wires from the bundle and run them away from everything else
if that doesnt do it you will need to split that board into separate rgb and region sections
also note the amps are laying on the cd interface, simply getting them lifted off the board could solve it

Keith Courage · 01/26/2016, 02:17 PM

well that's a new one. I've never seen somebody put both of those items together on one Project Board.

having the RGB amp installed over those CD chips is no good but the interference does look a lot more to me like what happens when the RGB lines are run right next to the region mod lines as theSteve already mentioned. they should definitely be separated or at the least, try to get the wires away from one another for both mods.

also, one last thing to add. This might even be remedied by using a smaller gauge wiring. I had to do this once a few years ago for a component video mod. someone had installed both a region mod and component video mod right next to one another in a system I was working on. Putting in a much smaller gauge wire for the region mod took care of the interference on the screen issue.

does the system by chance have any issues using a memory card or a turbo ever drive? if it does, then the wiring for the region mod is probably too large. I've never had to worry about the thickness of gauge of the wiring for an RGB modification though.

incrediblehark · 01/26/2016, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the input. I don't have a Turbo Everdrive, but when i owned one of those other PCE flash carts a couple of years ago, it worked on this system. Not sure about memory cards, I don't think there was any issue.

Based on what you and thesteve said needs to be done, this looks like something I'm most likely going to have to send out to someone else to repair. I could try rerouting the wires or maybe even lifting the board off the CD chips myself but honestly I haven't worked with these enough to be comfortable to do this on my Turbo Duo.

Keith Courage · 01/26/2016, 08:50 PM

From the look of your pic you may be able to just use some longer wires for the 3 RGB wires to remedy the problem. Try holding those 3 wires up and away from the region mod wires to see if the problem gets better. The 3 wires I am talking about are the 3 going to your AV jack. If this helps, then using longer wires and routing up and away from the region board may fix it.

mickcris · 01/26/2016, 08:56 PM

Duojindance makes his boards similar with the RGB and region mod on the same board. his are stuck on top of the hucard slot though so maybe thats why this doesnt happen with his. he also wraps his in bubble wrap for some reason.

incrediblehark · 01/27/2016, 04:48 PM

So I was able to free the rgb wires from the region mod wires, they were bundled together with a little bit of shrink tubing. lifted the wires as far away from them as possible. Tested out dragon spirit, and the picture was clear!

However, I booted up my 3-in-1 CD again with Bonk's adventure, and the interference is still there. So that would mean the board mounted on the cd chips is responsible right? I can try to lift it off the chips but am worried about damaging the duo. What would be the best way to go about this?

Thank you both again for all your help!

mickcris · 01/27/2016, 04:50 PM

looks like that may just be hot glue holding it on. put Isopropyl alcohol on the glue till it loosens.

incrediblehark · 01/27/2016, 05:03 PM

Thanks!

I'll give it a shot and report soon

PCEngineHell · 01/27/2016, 05:37 PM

The fact that your system has not been recapped at all is an issue all of its own. Why in the world would anyone mod a Duo without recapping it first?

incrediblehark · 01/27/2016, 05:48 PM

Got the board free from the CD Interface, but maybe its related to the position of the board because I am still getting interference. It is only when accessing CDs, as the super system menu and hucards are fine.

Quote from: PCEngineHell on 01/27/2016, 05:37 PMThe fact that your system has not been recapped at all is an issue all of its own. Why in the world would anyone mod a Duo without recapping it first?

I had intended to have it done. A few years ago I had a duo before this one with sound issues, and attempted to do a cap replacement myself. I couldn't get the hang of doing the surface mount capacitors so I sent it out to someone from these forums for a repair. He ended up breaking the system completely. So I got a 2nd duo, which was working fine. I went with someone else to do the region/rgb mod, from another forum who I had trusted with his prior work. At the time he didn't offer a cap replacement service so I didn't have it done.

Based on what I have been working out, if I need to relocate the board its going to go way out of my comfort level for dealing with my duo. I'll likely have to send it out to someone to be fixed, and may as well get a full cap replacement at that time.

mickcris · 01/27/2016, 05:57 PM

You really should get it recapped soon. That may be the whole issue. I did not notice it wasn't recapped.

PCEngineHell · 01/27/2016, 06:47 PM

Yeah the caps are going bad. There is no doubt about it. The stock caps do not last this long without some issue. And if they are leaking, that means they are eating traces and causing damage you cant always see right off the bat. Its time to send it in. Prolonging it just means you are allowing things to get worse.

incrediblehark · 01/27/2016, 09:56 PM

Thanks for the advice. Honestly wish I had it done back when I got the system, but was wary after my last experience... Have any recommendations for someone who can do quality work in a reasonable timeframe? I would need the cap replacement, the rgb repair if necessary, clean up the jailbar fix I did with better soldering, and overall tuneup/check over the system.