Struggling with SuperCIC custom PCB on 2-CHIP PAL SNES, advise requested

I'm trying to install the SuperCIC on my 2-CHIP PAL SNES using the custom PCB (which includes the SuperCIC chip, uIGR chip and 50/60hz addon) by Bad_Ad84 but am having some difficulties. Instead of PM'ing the already busy man I'd thought I try my luck here.

Let's start off with saying that my soldering skills are lacking, but so far have always been able to get the work done. Most of the time I use my hot gun to glue my connection points once I'm done which seem to work fine. For now I haven't glued anything down yet

Now, I don't know how familiar everyone is with the custom PCB of Bad_Ad84 but there are a few points on there I couldn't 100% place by using both the SuperCIC and IGR mods over at mmmonkey.co.uk. Next to that I've also used this YouTube video.

My connections are as follow:

• Original CIC has been removed.
• CIC 1, 2, 7, 8, 10 and 11 on the SNES motherboard are connected to the corresponding CIC 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11 points on the custom PCB.
• SNES PPU-2 leg 30 is lifted and connected to PPU-1 leg 24
• SNES PPU-1 leg 24 is lifted and connected to point CPU on the custom PCB.
• Both outside LED legs are connected to the custom PCB. One to LED_G and one to LED_R.
• The middle LED leg is connected to the SNES controller PCB (just like in the tutorial).
• SNES S-WRAM leg 64 is not lifted and connected to GND on the custom PCB.
• SNES S-CPU leg 1 is not lifted and connected to +5v on the custom PCB.

I've not yet connected the points for the IGR (PAD2, PAD3 and PAD4 on the custom PCB).

This leaves me with an empty D_GND, grouped with the LED connection points. At this point I could boot my SNES even though it wasn't really working fine. Flickering screen and had to reset a couple of times before it worked. LED wasn't working properly, or so I think.

I though the LED wasn't working properly because it might have lacked the D_GND connection, so I extended the GND I already put on the custom PCB to D_GRD and try to boot my SNES. It doesn't seem to be working at all anymore. No screen output, no LED light, no sound, nothing. I've desoldered the GND to D_GND connection I made but it seems like I have blow something because the SNES still doesn't boot.

There doesn't seem to be any shorts or loose connections. Any advice on how to continue is welcome.

 

D_GND is just an extra led ground point for the snes mini etc.

You don't need to connect it if the led has ground from elsewhere.

On a phat snes, don't use d4, tc+ or rgb9.

So really it sounds like you must have a bad connection somewhere, as description sounds fine

 

Thanks for the quick reply mate, appreciated. Got a bit scared I ruined my SNES when it wouldn't boot anymore.

I will re-check my connections in the morning, as it's getting pretty late and the topic title can be seen as an indication of my tiredness.

 

Damn, think I must have blown something. I made sure my connections were sound this time but the SNES just does nothing when I power on. I'll try to get my hands on a new PAL SNES and consider this to be collateral damage

 

Checked the fuse?

 

I'm not sure what fuse you mean. I'll post some pictures of the SNES when I get home from work.

 

There's a fuse on the snes pcb and if you switch off the console, then unplug the power lead and work on the console - the power stored in the caps will blow the fuse.

You need to make sure to leave the power switch on so any stored power is discharged

 

I always power cycle a SNES a few times after I unplug it before I start working on it. But I will double-check tonight.

 

Ok, I've shot some pictures and uploaded them to Imgur. The last two show some possible damage done to the board, or at least that's what it looks to me. If there would be anything obvious to others here as to what has happened, don't hesitate to mention it.

Link to the album: http://imgur.com/a/UklEu

Also, as you can see I've burned of a few spots on the original CIC. This was done after the SNES wouldn't boot when I was reworking my connections.

Any tips on my soldering skills are welcome as well.