[joostr14]

Seems to be more of a manufacturing defect as older consoles don’t seem to have this issue.
Anyway, I want to add a correction and a suggestion to what I said earlier; If you use a more aggressive flux you might get away with just reflowing the pins, i.e RA flux or similar. Just remember to clean it properly as it’s corrosive if left behind.

[joostr14]

I just need to state that the best way to diagnose this is to first check the clock signals with a scope before doing anything else, if the signals look clean, i.e, in simple terms; no messy waveforms, it’s not the PLL. Another simple diagnostic test if you lack a scope but have an OSSC is to just check if the refresh rate frequency is stable and sync is locked in. You have to replace the caps before declaring the PLL dead, as Sega underspecced the voltage rating on the caps and by this point they measure an ESR of 20+ohms when they should be below 1ohm.

I’ve noticed that the VA0 boards are also plauged with IML and corrosion on the pads to the point where I can just poke at the caps to pull them off.

This of course also affects other pads like on the RAM chips, meaning a good chunk of the ICs might be missing connections to the mainboard.

If you try to reflow a chip and notice the solder wont really stick, you have to take off the IC, dewick the solder and scrape the oxidation off then solder it back on.

• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by joostr14.
• This reply was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by joostr14.

[joostr14]

Update: I got it fabbed and it does work, the question that still remains unanswered is if it’ll revive a dead saturn.
@walter.comunello if you’re interested I can send you my prototype so you can test it sooner.

I’m planning on making a new version that integrates DFO, region selector and the PLL replacement.

[joostr14]

@buckoa51 just tagging you too in case this is of interest to you too.

So I have a working solution, I just need to respin the PCB.

[joostr14]

Just posting this here too, been talking to OP on reddit and I am working on a solution. Prototype boards are underway and should be here next week. Will keep you posted.

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