PS1 interference noise?

[austin532]

So I'm trying to figure out why I'm getting interference noise on my PS1 when using composite. Yes...composite. It's an oem cable but the funny thing is when I use it on another model the noise is hardly noticeable. Is it from bad caps on the power supply, a bad AV port, or something else?

Not sure how well you can see it but here is a video of what the noise looks like. Black diagonal lines moving to the left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJIXbyhJZ_M

[Maka8295]

Maybe try giving the cables and AV ports a clean with some IPA. If that doesn't work you could try swapping power supplies over to help narrow things down.

[austin532]

That's definitely something I thought about doing. Are all of the 5 pin connector power supplies interchangeable? Or at least the 750x series?

[Maka8295]

Heres what I found from retro consoles.fandom.com

"There are primarily two types of fat Playstation 1 power supplies: a 5-pin model, found in newer models (at least 7001 and higher) and a 7-pin model. Often, power supplies with the same number of pins are interchangeable, and in principle this may be a universal rule.

It appears that the 7001, 7501, and 9001 power supplies are compatible, but this may require further testing. The 9001 consumes 10W of power, whereas the 7xxx models consume 17W. This implies the 7xxx models draw around 70% more current than the 9001, and so a 9001 power supply in a 7xxx Playstation may possibly burn out after extensive use."

[Triple Lei]

Heres what I found from retro consoles.fandom.com

"There are primarily two types of fat Playstation 1 power supplies: a 5-pin model, found in newer models (at least 7001 and higher) and a 7-pin model. Often, power supplies with the same number of pins are interchangeable, and in principle this may be a universal rule.

It appears that the 7001, 7501, and 9001 power supplies are compatible, but this may require further testing. The 9001 consumes 10W of power, whereas the 7xxx models consume 17W. This implies the 7xxx models draw around 70% more current than the 9001, and so a 9001 power supply in a 7xxx Playstation may possibly burn out after extensive use."

Huh. I recently bought a PAL PS1 (SCPH-5552) and I didn't want to pay $30+ for a converter to use it here in North America, so for $20-ish I bought a donor NTSC PS1 (SCPH-9001) and swapped the power supply. Everything fit and works, but the picture can get a little wavy. FWIW I'm running HD Retrovision PS1 component cables into my OSSC. Does this mean I should look for another donor console, specifically of the 5xxx type?

I guess I should've done that from the beginning, but with no pictures of the back of the console, I had to gamble and I lost. At least I got two more controllers out of it, and what the heck else are you gonna do with an "untested but powers on" console anyway?

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EDIT: Welp, I just tried a different, thicker power cable (OEM, I think) instead of the thinner one I was using and that seems to have fixed things... though I could've sworn the waviness comes and goes....

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EDIT 2: Wavy picture is back after a non-wavy session... so I guess it's not the cable. However I am noticing that FMV and music skipping in Soul Blade was virtually eliminated...!

[austin532]

So I'm guessing they are interchangeable. I'll go ahead and try that.

Yeah, even though I'm using an oem composite cable, the noise looks more like RF interference. I have used Monster cables on this system before which I wouldn't be surprised if it damaged the pins in someway.

[austin532]

Alright, I swapped the power supplies and I get the same results on the same system so it's not the power. (although it probably could use a re-cap)

So now I'm thinking it's the port. It feels very loose with no resistance compared to the other PS1. Again, wouldn't be surprised if the Monster cables damaged it. Even the colors look slightly off.

[cyborc]

I get similar noise on an SCPH-5501. I recapped the power supply but it had no effect.

[Maka8295]

There are replacement power supplies called PS1 PicoPSU. You should give that a google and see if it works for you.
Maybe check the soldering joints around the AV port. You can do a quick reflow very easily by heating the pins on the underside of the board. Also I would check all the caps to make sure none are leaking while you're in there.

[austin532]

Well that's where the journey ends then. A. I don't have a good quality soldering iron and B. I don't have any replacement caps.

[austin532]

I get similar noise on an SCPH-5501. I recapped the power supply but it had no effect.

Is your port loose as well? If so then that's probably the problem.

[Maka8295]

Well that's where the journey ends then. A. I don't have a good quality soldering iron and B. I don't have any replacement caps.

A good quality soldering iron can be had for very cheap. If it is the solder joints that have gotten weak, (it may be a problem with the pins in side the AV port not making good contact rather than the connection between the port and motherboard) a simple reflow will be really really easy. Replacement caps can be had for very very cheap as well. console5 is a good site if your in America, or you could use console5's cap lists and get the caps yourself from mouser/rs-components/digikey etc for next to nothing.

A really good video for soldering beginners in case your interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOzXkt_PL28

And an eBay link for a surprisingly good USB soldering iron under 5 dollars: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R ... =1&_sop=15

[austin532]

Well that's where the journey ends then. A. I don't have a good quality soldering iron and B. I don't have any replacement caps.

A good quality soldering iron can be had for very cheap. If it is the solder joints that have gotten weak, (it may be a problem with the pins in side the AV port not making good contact rather than the connection between the port and motherboard)

That's what I think the issue is. The solder joints look fine on the board. Is there anyway to make the pins tight again?

[Maka8295]

Maybe you could put some tape on the top of the cable so more pressure is put on the pins? Perhaps try fiddling with the cable while the system is on and see if anything changes.

[austin532]

I'm not sure if the tape method would work. I tried fiddling with it and nothing changes.

[Maka8295]

If nothing is changing when you move the cable then I think it's unlikely to be the AV port. The port on my PS1 is a little bit loose and I got it nearly unused. You should try another composite cable and power cable if you can.

[cyborc]

I get similar noise on an SCPH-5501. I recapped the power supply but it had no effect.

Is your port loose as well? If so then that's probably the problem.

Nope. the port is solid.