Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

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Virtual Davey
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:45 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by Virtual Davey »

I removed the advance controller board. I found this lifted pad on the Dreamcast controller board. Am I screwed? Where's the 5V rail? If it is destroyed, I'd rather see if I can find another Dreamcast controller board for sale on eBay. I only have a single one left, and don't want to risk destroying that one too. EDIT: I found another lifted pad (second picture where the tool is under). I have another Dreamcast with a controller board that has no pads on it to lift. I might have been better off installing the advanced controller board to that one (last pic). Pictures:
Image
Image
Image
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VEGETA
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 10:40 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by VEGETA »

well, looks like you were extra rough using the iron. too much heat can make it like this.

however, the solution is easy: see where the pads were connected in the first place and solder a wire instead to re-connect the 2 points. once you do that the board will return to function as it was before.

meaning, the pad connects between 2 points or more. get a wire and solder it between these points, simple as that.

the first image i think it is the pad for the fuse and 2nd one is the charging resistor. you could check the 5v pads which were under the capacitor you took off (left side of the ribbon connector).

good luck, we will help u until you finish.
Virtual Davey
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2020 5:45 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by Virtual Davey »

I managed to reconnect the broken traces like you suggested. Everything is working flawlessly now. But I had a really rough time trying to fit the case on this Dreamcast with a working lid hatch. The Dreamcast I had done yesterday had the Nocturnal Fan with the replacement lid switch, so I didn't need to cut very much, didn't even have to cut any of the slider. But today's Dreamcast had it's stock fan and lid switch. Even following your tutorial, I just couldn't get the lid to fit correctly with a working lid switch. I additionally needed to cut a small corner off the slider as seen below. Now it opens/closes perfectly.
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VEGETA
Posts: 469
Joined: Mon May 31, 2021 10:40 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by VEGETA »

Nice to read that you did this yourself and succeeded!

cutting the plastic is explained in my tutorial but sometimes you may need to do more, depending on your situation. very small issue which you also solved fantastically. I hope you enjoy
rayik
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri Jan 08, 2016 12:21 pm

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by rayik »

Virtual Davey wrote: Tue Jul 02, 2024 11:50 pm I removed the advance controller board. I found this lifted pad on the Dreamcast controller board. Am I screwed? Where's the 5V rail? If it is destroyed, I'd rather see if I can find another Dreamcast controller board for sale on eBay. I only have a single one left, and don't want to risk destroying that one too. EDIT: I found another lifted pad (second picture where the tool is under). I have another Dreamcast with a controller board that has no pads on it to lift. I might have been better off installing the advanced controller board to that one (last pic). Pictures:
Image
Image
Image
EDIT: Sorry. Did not read the two posts under this. Glad you got it fixed.

It's fixable. I lifted 3 pads in installing the pins. Just flip the board over and see what it connects to. Either run short jumper wire from the pin to the next solder point on the circuit. Or scrap off some of the mask on the circuit next to the lifted pin and solder bridge the pin to it.

Totally fixable.
MLA
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2024 10:10 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by MLA »

Hi!

I am quite interested in your mod and would be willing to showcase it in a YT video.

Is there any chance you will have stock again soon?
Also are you planning resupply of your ThunderDream PSU?

Cheers from France!
MLA
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VEGETA
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Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by VEGETA »

MLA wrote: Tue Jul 30, 2024 10:13 am Hi!

I am quite interested in your mod and would be willing to showcase it in a YT video.

Is there any chance you will have stock again soon?
Also are you planning resupply of your ThunderDream PSU?

Cheers from France!
MLA
the mod currently still available from video game perfection, would need quite some time to be ready in my store.

dreamcast psu will be ready in a week or so, very limited quantity though.
Ryeno
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Nov 05, 2019 6:50 am

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by Ryeno »

update?
ldeveraux
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Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 10:20 pm

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by ldeveraux »

Ryeno wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 8:15 amupdate?
What do you need updated? This is freely available and works a treat.
Ryeno
Posts: 95
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Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by Ryeno »

ldeveraux wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 12:51 pm
Ryeno wrote: Wed Apr 09, 2025 8:15 amupdate?
What do you need updated? This is freely available and works a treat.
When will the boards be in stock?
zeldatp151
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu May 01, 2025 6:48 pm

Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by zeldatp151 »

I have been trying to get 2 of these since last September, but they are always sold out every where I look. I have signed up for in stock notifications but I'm wondering now if it's just been abandoned. If he has abandoned it, it would be nice if he at least open sourced it so I could order the board and components and build 2 myself.
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VEGETA
Posts: 469
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Re: Dreamcast advanced controller board - New rechargeable battery mod for Dreamcast

Post by VEGETA »

zeldatp151 wrote: Fri May 02, 2025 11:44 am I have been trying to get 2 of these since last September, but they are always sold out every where I look. I have signed up for in stock notifications but I'm wondering now if it's just been abandoned. If he has abandoned it, it would be nice if he at least open sourced it so I could order the board and components and build 2 myself.
Hello,

it is not abandoned but rather going through rev2 design and upgrade, and will take lots of time. I have one working unit with me, unused, if you wanted then email me\PM me your address so I can ship it to you. You can pay later once shipping cost is determined, via regular mail service.

this is the current rev2 till now: https://imgur.com/fEN7jFI
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