Introduction

I recently picked up a PC Engine. I decided to replace all the electrolytic capacitors and replace the voltage regulator.

I used the Retro Upgraded Capacitor Kit

Having watched the RMC Trash to Treasure video, I learnt that the voltage regulator could be replaced with a switching regulator which also removes the need for the heatsink.

In this video, Neil also points out to be careful not to short the voltage regulator pins on the heatsink with probes. Regrettably, I did manage to do this and blew the 1A glass fuse. Luckily, no other damage was done and I found replacements on Amazon. They need to be 5 x 20 mm and have leads. RMC use a fuse holder which would be another option.

Thoughts after re-capping

Did this need recapping? Maybe. I tested all the removed capacitors and all of them were within ~10% of their stated capacitance and none of them were bulging or leaking. All of the replaced parts were Rubycon, likely supporting the claim that quality branded capacitors are more reliable.

This was not quite a trivial recap. My experience was very to similar to that of this video. My board was also covered in flux and took ages to clean.

I'm also firmly of the opinion that adding fresh solder before removing components really does help, something I'd never really needed to do before.

In terms of the voltage regulator, I actually used a Traco TSR-1-2450 as opposed to the OKI-78SR-5/1.5-W36HE-C used by RMC for no other reason than it was available from a supplier I was buying other stuff from at that time. Having compared the data sheets for both products, it looks like the Traco is a bit smaller and they both have the same ripple and noise rating of 50 mVp-p. I can confirm that my PC Engine with this regulator and without the heatsink runs perfectly cool and the video output looks exactly the same.

I did not bother with the jail bar fix. I cannot really notice any jail bars on my PC Engine, what's more, the kit comes with 0805 SMD components. I find this puzzling as the originals are 1206. Removing and Soldering 0805 components for me personally is not trivial. 1206 is much easier. If I had some lying around, I probably would have put them in.

In summary

• You probably don't need to recap your PC Engine

• I highly recommend ditching the heatsink and the 7805 for a Traco TSR-1-2450. Mine was ~£5

• If you are doing the jail bar fix, make your life easier and get some 1206 size caps. 0805 really is tiny.

• If I were a retailer, I would do a kit with a spare fuse, a switching regulator VS a 7805 (even if the new ones are better) and bundle some 1206 caps for the jailbar fix.