SNES 62-Pin Connector Replacement Dilemma

[spaceian]

Hey Party People,

I was hoping that my first post would be one of contribution rather than a question but it looks like its just another failure to tack on to my issue.

So I acquired a SNES (SNS-001) a little while ago that got power but just would not load carts or output video (audio worked just fine). Long story short, my inspection revealed that several of the pins on the 62-pin connector had become so corroded that they broke apart. Seriously, couldn't even clean them... they just turned into oxidized dust. Now this model had one of the "plug-n-play" connectors which the body of the main connector can separate from the soldered connection with a simple tug. The downside

Keeping the story short, I ended up grabbing a "solder-type" 62-pin connector in the hopes of just outright replacing my "plug-n-play". After much desoldering... the pin pitch is different. The solder-type connector has the pin rows closer together than the plug-n-play. Insert loud obscenities here.

Here's my dilemma: do I keep pushing and find ways to fix it or is this board best relegated to the parts bin?

[CkRtech]

Huh. I recently went the reverse (changed a solder type to plug and play) by moving a CPU-01 cart connector into a 1CHIP-02, and I didn't have that problem.

Where did you get your connector?

[Evilmaxwar]

What you should have done is find a replacement snap in connector. Some people who fix SNES might have some spares.

Now what I would do is put it back to stock and find the missing part. Other wise just sell it As Is. I would buy it but shipping a lone broken SNES is not worth it.

[RGB32E]

Sounds like he got something like this.

The SNES cart connector is a proprietary 2.50mm, so any standard 2.54mm pitch connectors won't work. The SNES connector has two keys that aren't even multiples of the 2.50mm pin pitch, and the row spacing is wider than standard as well.

Hence you can only replace a SNES cart slot connector with another SNES cart slot connector. A cart slot connector from a clone system won't work either - row spacing will likely be "standard" and will likely have 2.54mm pin pitch.

Same thing goes for the NES top loader (2.50mm pitch) - have to use a donor from another console. 2.50mm pitch carts will actually work in 2.54mm connectors with the NES at least! :p

[mvsfan]

The pin spacing of the holes on the motherboard itself between the original model SHVC consoles and the later ones are not the same. even the GPM is different and that still has a plug on connector.

[CkRtech]

Could you be more specific? Are you saying that they changed the pluggable mount spacing between the original console and those made prior to the solder-only connectors?

[mvsfan]

Yeah. the SHVC itself has its own Pin spacing.

I tried to take a removable connector header from an SHVC and install it into a 1-chip for easy future replacement, and the pin spacing on the motherboard is different.

Later on i looked at a GPM i had (wich has the removable connector) and it was the same as the later snes with the non removable one.

[CkRtech]

Huh. That is interesting since I performed the same operation (SHVC-CPU-01 to SNS-CPU-1CHIP-02) successfully.

[spaceian]

Sorry for the delay. I also realized that I definitely used some incorrect terminology! I used the term pitch to refer to the spacing between the pin rows when its proper use is to describe the distance between pins in the same row. Major apologies for causing any confusion!

So the pin pitch seems to be just fine, however the lead-to-lead width is different http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_in ... _reference.

With the solder-type connector I am attempting to install, the width is smaller than the removable type. Meaning one row of the leads will fit just fine but the others are just too far away from the next row of holes on the board.

Uploaded some pics to an imgur album to help illustrate the issue. http://imgur.com/a/MszgG#0

So it looks like I'm SOL for getting this guy up and running (unless a part or a board in worse shape comes along). Unless... anyone ever have any luck making a portable out of a non-Mini SNES?

[mvsfan]

once i installed a solder in connector like that where the lead to lead with was different. I bent all 62 pins outward slightly and it fit. it will sit off the board a hair, but will still work.

your other option is to take the original pin header, put it back on, and find a replacement original plug on connector.

I do sell them on ebay from time to time. I bought a bunch a while back from a guy who had a couple cases of them. I have a few left.

[spaceian]

I do sell them on ebay from time to time. I bought a bunch a while back from a guy who had a couple cases of them. I have a few left.

Shoot me a PM if you put one up on eBay in the near future. I'll definitely try to grab one!

I am also toying with the idea of bending some pins... might need to have another whisky to convince me to try it. My SNES parts are scarce so I make certain that I'm 100% positive before trying anything.

Thanks everyone!