Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
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cr4zymanz0r
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:36 am
Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
I've got a model 1 JPN Sega Saturn with a XQ468 PSU. I recapped the PSU using a cap kit from console5.com (https://console5.com/store/sega-saturn- ... xq981.html)
Prior to the recap everything was functioning fine, but after the recap I get faint horizontal scrolling lines. Only one cap was barely leaking when I did the recap (wasn't even noticeable since it was under it). I cleaned the area with some rubbing alcohol.
There's a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNGq9zUqBYA) that blames the TOP202YAI PWM, but the PSU in that video is a different model than mine and I don't see a TOP202YAI on my PSU. The part on his PSU is labeled as Q1. Q1 on my PSU looks similar, but has no heatsink and only has "C5215" on it and I can't seem to find any info on that.
It also seems to maybe be a semi-common issue ran into after recapping the PSU as I see other posts about it such as here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SegaSaturn/com ... l_2_after/ and even in the comments here https://rexus2019.wordpress.com/home/
Does anyone have a fix or more info about this?
Prior to the recap everything was functioning fine, but after the recap I get faint horizontal scrolling lines. Only one cap was barely leaking when I did the recap (wasn't even noticeable since it was under it). I cleaned the area with some rubbing alcohol.
There's a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNGq9zUqBYA) that blames the TOP202YAI PWM, but the PSU in that video is a different model than mine and I don't see a TOP202YAI on my PSU. The part on his PSU is labeled as Q1. Q1 on my PSU looks similar, but has no heatsink and only has "C5215" on it and I can't seem to find any info on that.
It also seems to maybe be a semi-common issue ran into after recapping the PSU as I see other posts about it such as here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SegaSaturn/com ... l_2_after/ and even in the comments here https://rexus2019.wordpress.com/home/
Does anyone have a fix or more info about this?
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Before doing any recap, I always take measurements of the diameter, voltage, height, and capacitance. Then I order Nichicon UPW whenever I can from parts dealers (if UPW doesn't come in a particularly needed size, I find another Nichicon series of similar application). If you have those measurements on hand (and not taken from the console5 ones), you might could give it a 2nd shot with those caps ordered from Mouser or Digikey.
Sheet on UPW Nichicons:
https://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/prod ... /e-upw.pdf
Hopefully it's just a matter of swapping the caps out for those and giving it a 2nd shot. Best of luck!
Sheet on UPW Nichicons:
https://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/prod ... /e-upw.pdf
Hopefully it's just a matter of swapping the caps out for those and giving it a 2nd shot. Best of luck!
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cr4zymanz0r
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:36 am
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Thanks for the tip. I've still got the original caps off to the side that I could measure. I find it odd that the physical dimensions would matter other than making sure there's enough space for the cap.
Console5 told me there's apparently some Saturn PSUs that are more picky about caps and they're going to send me some replacements to try when they get them in a few days. I'll wait and see how that goes then try your cap suggestions if I hit a dead end on that.
Console5 told me there's apparently some Saturn PSUs that are more picky about caps and they're going to send me some replacements to try when they get them in a few days. I'll wait and see how that goes then try your cap suggestions if I hit a dead end on that.
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
A bit off topic: would you also uso nichicon upw for a crt recap??
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
I've recapped a sony, jvc, and philips all with upw caps and they work great.naz wrote:A bit off topic: would you also uso nichicon upw for a crt recap??
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cr4zymanz0r
- Posts: 358
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 6:36 am
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Got a replacement capacitor from console5 for C12 (2700uF, 6.3v) that appears to have fixed the issue.
According to them:
"I think you're seeing regulator output oscillation brought on by too-low impedance on the output capacitor(s). Normally we send modern power supply grade caps in all power supply kits, but we're finding some of these Saturn power supply designs to be intolerant of low ESR power supply caps."
https://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/ss/technical/lc4
According to them:
"I think you're seeing regulator output oscillation brought on by too-low impedance on the output capacitor(s). Normally we send modern power supply grade caps in all power supply kits, but we're finding some of these Saturn power supply designs to be intolerant of low ESR power supply caps."
https://industrial.panasonic.com/ww/ss/technical/lc4
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TooBeaucoup
- Posts: 412
- Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:31 am
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Sorry to bump this, just curious if you were seeing these horizontal lines immediately upon turning on your Saturn? I just recapped a Saturn and it works great for about 15-20 minutes. But, once the console has warmed up, (Presumably the PSU has warmed up) I get the same lines you describe. I'm wondering if it's a similar issue to yours or if it's my voltage regulator. Like you, my voltage regulator isn't a TOP202YAI and I can't find any info going off of the numbers on mine.cr4zymanz0r wrote:I've got a model 1 JPN Sega Saturn with a XQ468 PSU. I recapped the PSU using a cap kit from console5.com (https://console5.com/store/sega-saturn- ... xq981.html)
Prior to the recap everything was functioning fine, but after the recap I get faint horizontal scrolling lines. Only one cap was barely leaking when I did the recap (wasn't even noticeable since it was under it). I cleaned the area with some rubbing alcohol.
There's a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNGq9zUqBYA) that blames the TOP202YAI PWM, but the PSU in that video is a different model than mine and I don't see a TOP202YAI on my PSU. The part on his PSU is labeled as Q1. Q1 on my PSU looks similar, but has no heatsink and only has "C5215" on it and I can't seem to find any info on that.
It also seems to maybe be a semi-common issue ran into after recapping the PSU as I see other posts about it such as here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SegaSaturn/com ... l_2_after/ and even in the comments here https://rexus2019.wordpress.com/home/
Does anyone have a fix or more info about this?
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BuffaloWing
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Feb 02, 2016 1:31 am
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
I have a 4-pin power supply (does not have TOP202YAI) that has horizontal lines whenever the cd-rom access the data. Recap does not solve the issue. I even replace the cap on the cd-rom too. I decided to swap the power supply with my other Saturn which also has a 4-pin power supply which has different oem revision. I notice after the swap, both consoles function normally with no horizontal scrolling line.
I'm glad I didn't toss the power supply. If you have another Saturn to do a swap or have local friend to do an exchange, this may solve your issue.
I'm glad I didn't toss the power supply. If you have another Saturn to do a swap or have local friend to do an exchange, this may solve your issue.
TooBeaucoup wrote:Sorry to bump this, just curious if you were seeing these horizontal lines immediately upon turning on your Saturn? I just recapped a Saturn and it works great for about 15-20 minutes. But, once the console has warmed up, (Presumably the PSU has warmed up) I get the same lines you describe. I'm wondering if it's a similar issue to yours or if it's my voltage regulator. Like you, my voltage regulator isn't a TOP202YAI and I can't find any info going off of the numbers on mine.cr4zymanz0r wrote:I've got a model 1 JPN Sega Saturn with a XQ468 PSU. I recapped the PSU using a cap kit from console5.com (https://console5.com/store/sega-saturn- ... xq981.html)
Prior to the recap everything was functioning fine, but after the recap I get faint horizontal scrolling lines. Only one cap was barely leaking when I did the recap (wasn't even noticeable since it was under it). I cleaned the area with some rubbing alcohol.
There's a video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNGq9zUqBYA) that blames the TOP202YAI PWM, but the PSU in that video is a different model than mine and I don't see a I have a 4-pin power supply that has horizontal lines whenever the cd-rom access the data. Recap does not solve the issue. I even replace the cap on the cd-rom too. Before contemplating buying an after market power supply I decided to swap the power supply with my other Saturn which also has a 4-pin power supply which has different oem revision. I notice after the swap, both consoles function normally with no horizontal scrolling line.
If you have another Saturn to do a swap or have local friend to do an exchange, this may solve your issue.on my PSU. The part on his PSU is labeled as Q1. Q1 on my PSU looks similar, but has no heatsink and only has "C5215" on it and I can't seem to find any info on that.
It also seems to maybe be a semi-common issue ran into after recapping the PSU as I see other posts about it such as here: https://www.reddit.com/r/SegaSaturn/com ... l_2_after/ and even in the comments here https://rexus2019.wordpress.com/home/
Does anyone have a fix or more info about this?
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Konsolkongen
- Posts: 2369
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 8:28 pm
- Location: Denmark
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Interesting. I've had that same issue. Probably started after I recapped the system but I didn't notice it at the time. I don't have another PSU to replace mine with, but last week I was installing a modchip to play the english patched Vandal Hearts and I also added a ferrite core around the CD-ROM power cables. Not sure which one fixed it but the problem appears to be gone now.BuffaloWing wrote:I have a 4-pin power supply (does not have TOP202YAI) that has horizontal lines whenever the cd-rom access the data. Recap does not solve the issue. I even replace the cap on the cd-rom too. I decided to swap the power supply with my other Saturn which also has a 4-pin power supply which has different oem revision. I notice after the swap, both consoles function normally with no horizontal scrolling line.
I'm glad I didn't toss the power supply. If you have another Saturn to do a swap or have local friend to do an exchange, this may solve your issue.
cr4zymanz0r's information about the C12 capacitor is really good to know. I should try replacing that too, but not sure if the problem he saw was caused by CD reading?
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TooBeaucoup
- Posts: 412
- Joined: Fri Jun 09, 2017 1:31 am
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
I have two Saturns, one with a MODE and one with the CD drive still. My PSU in question does it no matter which Saturn I use it with. 

Last edited by TooBeaucoup on Thu Jan 21, 2021 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Konsolkongen
- Posts: 2369
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 8:28 pm
- Location: Denmark
Re: Saturn horiztonal lines after PSU recap
Okay then it would seem that Buffalowing and I are talking about an entirely different issue than you are experiencing.