I have a DTL-H30001 PS2, but the laser is starting to go, it can't read CD's reliably anymore. Does the number after the DTL-H have any correspondence with normal PS2's or is it a separate thing? I ask because I want to use a KHS-400Q laser if possible, a much nicer one, but I'm not sure if it'll work in my model Test PS2.
It will probably be a 400B or 400C in a DTL-H3000X, mine were. I know you can swap a 400A and a 400B, but i think the 400C is to thick, and although it fits into the ps2 it catches on the mechanism.. I have never come across a 400Q, Is that the Sanyo laser? Anyway you can put any "retail" PS2 laser of the same type into a debug PS2, they are exactly the same. Also have you tried to increase the gain of your existing laser? This can extend the life of a laser..(for a bit anyway).. DTL 10000 = SCPH 10000 (400A) DTL 3000X = SCPH 3000X (400B) DTL 30X0X = SCPH 3000X (400B) DTL 5000X = SCPH 5000X (400C)
I seem to remember that the 400Q is an aftermarket replacement for the older 400 series lasers. BTW use caution when swapping a 400B vs a 400A they are not 100% compatible with each other.
You can't use a 400A on a console which uses 400B or 400C due to mechanical differences. (the limit switch is at a different position on SCPH-10000 and SCPH-15000 and 400A does not have the tab 400B lasers have. Also there's short and long tabs on 400B lasers...) SCPH-18000 will be using 400B lasers. The earliest consoles that can use 400C lasers are the "D" type chassis (GH-010/012/013/014 and GH-016). Edit: What I said above pertains to AB-Chassis based SCPH-18000 (GH-008) ... I forgot there's SCPH-18000 units with GH-003 board... these are A-Chassis and will use 400A lasers.
I stand corrected. I had swapped a 400b into a DTL-h10000 that had a 400a in it. It worked ok I think?? But i admit I changed it later for another 400a, so I guess its that i remember. As always l_oliveira i bow to your superior knowledge..
Usually, the newer parts are designed in a way they can be produced cheaper than their older counterparts and in a way they can still be used to repair the older consoles. Only them changing from 400A/B design to 400C (it was meant to save on materials) made the lasers incompatible. You should be able to use any 400A/B pickup with white lens protection on any A-Chassis unit as these are 100% compatible. However, there's two types of laser diode/photodiodes chip and the early 10k units with SONY RF amplifier/old mechacon firmware will only operate correctly with pickups that have the older laser/photodiodes chip. Machines with GH-003 board and equipped with TI RF amplifier will work fine with these pickups equipped with the newer photodiode/laser chip. If you place a random KHS400B optical pickup on a TOOL or early 10k and it doesn't work, it could be just a electrical incompatibility, not the pickup being bad. Leaked service center programs and documents have most of that information scattered around them. This site is a treasure trove of information, you see ... Edit: The "yellow rim ring" you can see on some 400C pickups lenses is meant to tell the service technician that the optical pickup is equipped with the newer photodiodes chip. So if you put a 400C laser with white rim on a SCPH-10000 it will work electronically, but will be mechanically incompatible, unless you mod the flat cable that connects the pickup to the drive assembly so it doesn't fold when the laser moves forward on the worm gear. (oh and this may not apply to refurbished lasers, for obvious "I don't care about SONY standards" reasons on how refurbishing businesses do their thing)
