Replacing the DC PSU

I haven't got one, I'm intrigued, but if I can accomplish the goal of a cooler DC without too much extra hardware that's the way I want to go.

 

In the end I pressed 3x100ohm serially soldered resistors (300ohm ones not to hand) into the 12v and Gnd terminals, nice and cool now.

 

I'm trying to find these three parts, if anyone can tell me what I should look for I'd appreciate it:

[GALLERY=media, 596]ARVjyRU by wiseguy192 posted Jan 3, 2016 at 12:53 PM[/GALLERY]

 

I was able to find the parts and completed the PSU replacement along with several other mods. In case anyone ever needs to know here is what I used for the PicoPSU plug: Rectangular Housing

The plug and receptacle I got for the power button wasn't exactly like the one pictured but it worked well: 0.62" Plug and Receptacle

Here is a picture of my finished mod. You can't see it but I cut off the side of the GD-ROM housing so the Noctua fan blows air directly over the CPU heatsink. I also cut a hole in the front of GD-ROM housing for airflow so the air can be sucked out by the exhaust fan.

This Dreamcast includes the following mods:

USB GDRom from MNEMO

Dual bios with switch to select stock BIOS or japanese-cake BIOS.

Optional CPU overclock to 240 Mhz. There is a switch to select stock and overclock speeds.

Custom heatsinks from Alpha Novatech that measure 40 mm x 40mm x 12mm for the CPU and 25mm x 25mm x12mm for the GPU. Heatsinks have also been added to the RAM.

80 watt PicoPSU (12-32v PicoPSU-80-WI-32V) with 19V 4.74A 90W AC Adapter. The 19v power adapter should help make the PicoPSU more efficient and give off less heat versus a 12v PicoPSU.

Noctua NF-A4X10-FLX 5V Fan. This extra fan was added to increase airflow and help cool the CPU since it can be overclocked.

The stock fan was replaced with a Copal F310RF-05LB. The new fan moves the same amount of air as the stock fan (3.2 CFM) but is much quieter at 17 dB(A) vs 22 dB(A). This mod also included adding an Arduno Pro Mini to emulate the Dreamcast's fan signal (as seen in this thread, thanks Compupaq!).

Overclocked VMU. The VMU has been overclocked so it will function when the Dreamcast is overclocked. The VMU will also work on the Dreamcast when it is not overclocked.

Coin Cell Button Battery Socket Holder mod with Maxell ML2032 rechargable battery.

Heatsinks have also been added to the PicoPSU and USB GDRom controller. While it's most likely not necessary it never hurts to have extra cooling.

 

Hi, mine is not working and I don't know why. Just the fan is spinning and vga led is on... Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Looks good from here. Make sure to measure the voltage going in that its indeed 3.3, 5 and 12v. Guess you've already done that but thats all I can think of..

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/dreamcast-p...168040?hash=item41a8480b68:g:8JkAAOSwJQdXBrn-
looks pretty clean

 

View attachment 17154
View attachment 17155 View attachment 17155

 

Oh wow that guy is from Dallas not even 30 miles away from me. I know I will be getting one for sure if I upgrade to a Pico PSU. That looks super professional on the system.

 

Hi,

After reading all pages from this thread, I still need some help in building a pico psu for my dreamcast.

I plan to use my dreamcast with:

USB GD-Rom V5 internal
External 2.5 HDD
Toro with VGA/RGB cables
IDE mod (with external power supply for the IDE hd)

The chosen parts from all these pages were:

1 X Picopsu with power supply kit
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-80-60W-power-kit

1 X Molex conector (6 position to dreamcast motherboard)
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...2pyFaduigZO0U7SgVT%2b%2b/z0dwcOfrVimHF2vobLg=

1 X Molex ATX 20 position - to picopsu
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Molex/39-01-2200/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtVoztFdqDXO9FVHntbrRgS
or
1 x 20 AMP ATX female conector 20 pins - to picopsu
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...=/ha2pyFadujHjjDm7/lvdKXRkwDBE4wvutavOMlTN0w=
or
1 X 20 female to 24 female ATX adapter (Just to use the atx 20 pin female) - to picopsu
http://www.amazon.com/25cm-Female-P...8&qid=1460478588&sr=8-4&keywords=atx+20+to+24

Lot of Wire conector
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...ha2pyFadujh2f7KQ%2bXWe5071XQKEeO7LaXcC88TEwU=

1 X 2 pin connector to power switch (grey cables)... still looking for the exactly connector!
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail...iFFWr2%2bLevviPbowYftv/PpfoXUnin/ttSSftb4XA==
a better pic
https://www.google.com.br/search?q=...UICSgD&biw=1440&bih=791#imgrc=dO5HOpiQfR_XWM:

1 X something cheap or homemade to fix the DC IN in the back of dreamcast!

I'm forgetting something? Will this combo (picopsu and power supply kit) enough for everything I plan to use?

Any suggestion on connectors?

I´m still in doubts about how to power the picopsu.

Use the ps_on like that

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/replacing-the-dc-psu.53856/page-7#post-809002

OR

Use the follow diagram to connect power directly.

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/replacing-the-dc-psu.53856/page-11#post-839301

I want to leave the picopsu easy to return to original psu as Kuririn84 did.

Thanks

Mauricio

 

Hi, sorry I was unable to respond to your PM. Ive been very busy lately.

I ended up soldering the ground and ps-on together and putting the switch on the power. For some reason when switched off with the ps-on it still sends a low current through the dreamcast and keeps the fan spinning. I would recommend doing the same.

One thing to keep in mind about the molex connectors if you are going to go that route is having a proper crimp tool. I'm sure there are other ways to crimp them, but the perfectionist in me had to spend $40 for the right tool. It's definitely something to keep in mind cost wise. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002L...ngineer+pa&dpPl=1&dpID=41TSIhW0QFL&ref=plSrch
That is the pair I use and it makes beautiful crimps.

I'm actually going to re-do my whole design in the next two weeks when some parts arrive, Ill be sure to post additional pictures.

 

Hi Kuririn84!

I will take a look in the crimper. Maybe find another way or a cheap alternative. The cost is high for just use it once.

Can you help me with suggestions for this 2 pin connector?

Thanks

Mauricio

 

From the looks of the first link that pack comes with the connectors and the pins, is that what you need help with?

Once you get everything together it really is an easy mod. The tough part is getting it to look pretty.

I'm re-doing mine to have all blue wires and a seperate connector for 12v. I'm probably over thinking the whole thing, but it will look cool when Im done.

 

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do you think the pins will fit without damaging the power switch connector? They appears to be different shape and size (width) to me.

About the crimper what size (mm) did you use? Maybe I can find a more affordable option with only one size.

I'm looking forward to see your revision!

 

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Wow. Very professional!

Thanks for the crimper info!

Mauricio

 

What happens with the picopsu?

 

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