Amiga CD32 - Cap change (Part 1)

Inviere · 03-07-2022 8:12am #1

So the last of my Amiga's, the infamous CD32 is next up for some capacitor love. I remember seeing these in the demo kiosk in Virgin Megastore way back in the day, and it was sheer unobtainium. Nowadays we know it's essentially a consolised 1200, but as with all Amiga's, I still see this as I did back then, an elusive/mysterious console that I could never own....until now!

^^ So, the Spellbound system, revision 3 (I think they're ALL revision 3? Not exactly sure though!) It's a very compact, condensed board. One on hand it's obviously neat and efficient from an electrical point of view, but on the other, it's a pain for capacitor maintenance - there's so much in the way!

^^ A bit of prep work makes the difference here, because you can then just systematically work through the caps and not have to keep stopping to tape/shield everything.

^^ Cap map, all new caps checked to be present and correct, and a veritable anaconda of old caps. There's quite a few caps on the CD32!

^^ Minty fresh caps installed, board also cleaned down with IPA etc etc.

^^ Empty shell given a bath, left to dry, and then wiped down with some mild window cleaner to remove any suddy stains etc. It's a really nice condition shell, no marks or damage anywhere.

^^ Huge sigh of relief, it works after recapping!

^^ Having played Verbatim on the PC Engine CD-Rom, I seen the Amiga CD32 had a port of it too...so I picked that up to test the laser unit out.

^^ Crappy composite for now, but it's great to see it working and safe from any cap leakage. Like my 600 & 1200, I do plan on buying some upgrades for this to finish it off, and I'll create a follow up thread to document those when I get around to it.

The Last Bandit · 03-07-2022 9:26am

Did you follow the silkscreen or cap guides ? Rev3 boards have a bunch of the capacitors backwards on them :(

Inviere · 03-07-2022 9:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119283134#Comment_119283134

Capguides in this case. It's the two caps near the power connector, the negatives of the caps should face the connector. I checked the board with a multimeter to be sure, and the negatives on mine were actually correctly oriented/printed on the silkscreen. The old factory fit caps were correctly oriented too strangely, as I was expecting to find them reversed. It must have been at some stage the error was corrected during manufacturing.

The Last Bandit · 03-07-2022 11:32am

Commodore engineering and manufacturing rarely spoke it seems, all sorts of hacks were by mfg engineers to get stuff out the door.

Are you leaving them stock or adding accelerators ?

Inviere · 03-07-2022 11:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119283549#Comment_119283549

I have plans to upgrade them. Not through the roof, but some modern niceties that'll bring them up to date a little. The TF330 for the CD32 is a very interesting little board, so one of those and a keyboard/mouse to turn it into a very well rounded machine that'll be compatible with essentially everything Amiga related. The 1200 & 600 will get similar treatment, a little less for the 600, that'll be only brought up to whdload spec.

Steve X2 · 04-07-2022 9:48am

My main upgraded CD32 needs a cap kit done on it actually(not sure why I've waited this long). Are you planning on offering this as a service in the future, like the good ole days? :)

Inviere · 04-07-2022 1:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119287662#Comment_119287662

I am open to certain jobs Steve, and for your good self I'd be happy to help you out. The only thing I'd ask is that you provide the cap kit itself with the console, as it saves me waiting on parts while the console just sits there. At least then if you give me both, I can just complete the job in one sitting

Steve X2 · 04-07-2022 1:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119288611#Comment_119288611

I'm sure we can sort something out.

Is there a reliable source you trust for the cap kits? As you've experienced yourself, Sordan is hit and miss.

Inviere · 04-07-2022 5:33pm

I ended up trying this guy out - https://www.ebay.ie/itm/133002263043?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=5282-175127-2357-0&ssspo=AJHs4AtHTCK&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=CAzp0vQ6S5m&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=WHATS_APP

I got my 600 kit from him too, both that and the CD32 kit were perfect. He did send me an A1200 kit instead of the CD32 one, but he rectified that very quickly once I raised it with him.

There may be other reputable sellers, like amigastore - https://amigastore.eu/en/461-capacitor-pack-for-amiga-cd32.html#/

I've never used those guys though, but they seem to specialise in Amiga gear.

Steve X2 · 04-07-2022 7:54pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289956#Comment_119289956

I've used that Amigastore.eu a few times myself for upgrades. They were good, but slow to ship(to be fair it was the middle of the pandemic).

Inviere · 04-07-2022 7:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290509#Comment_119290509

Good to know because that's where I plan on buying my 600 upgrades from. I did see they've slow shipping, but are otherwise decent

Quigs Snr · 04-07-2022 8:37pm

Nice job. One of the few remaining consoles on my list for the collection. I have a feeling its going to be a painful one.

Steve X2 · 04-07-2022 8:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290522#Comment_119290522

lotharek.pl has a few Amiga upgrades as well. I got the Furia for my A600 from there as well as other bits and pieces.

o1s1n · 05-07-2022 9:06am

There's also this guy who built that cap kit for my SNK monitor years back (which is still going strong), was really nice and helpful and the prices were fairly cheap. Based in the US though is the only down side.

https://console5.com/store/catalogsearch/result/?q=amiga

The Last Bandit · 05-07-2022 9:47am

Ya I’ve gotten stuff from them before as well, was cheaper than assembling the cap kit myself at the time and delivery was pretty fast from the US.

McDermotX · 05-07-2022 10:51am

Never used em, but the RMC guys recently done an A600 up with caps from Retro Rewind https://retrorewind.ca/ (must be Canadian-based) and seemed happy enough. Had no issues with amigastore.eu for a CD32 pack a few years back, so they'd probably be the goto crowd.

There's an A1200 somewhere around here that probably needs a set come to think of it.

o1s1n · 05-07-2022 11:00am

As a matter of interest, how do you guys fit your Amigas into your console setup?

I've a unit under the TV with loads of consoles but the Amiga has always been a bit of an awkward beast to fit in (so it's been sitting in storage for ages)

Years ago the plan was to hook it up specifically to a 1084 monitor that I had but unfortunately space was a bit of an issue.

McDermotX · 05-07-2022 11:30am

Personally like to keep them under a wide monitor riser so they can just be pulled out when needed. Swap in-swap out usually, then at least there's a little more space. C64 is there at the moment.

Bit more awkward for the likes of the CD32, as with a TF330, you ideally want to have the keyboard/mouse to hand so keep a separate desk along with one of the BenQ Multisyncs that Amigas get along with which is a decent compromise over even more space needed for a monitor.

I get it though, it can be awkward, especially with the likes of an A1200. One of the plus points with the likes of a decent MiSTer setup when you just want to have a quick blast.

McDermotX · 05-07-2022 11:53am

Actually, speaking of storage, has anyone bothered picking up one of those reproduction boxes that seem to be doing the rounds ? Expensive yokes to be sure for what they are, but seem to come across well in images.

Think I've only the original box for the CD32 that's at least OK-ish shape.

Steve X2 · 05-07-2022 12:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292614#Comment_119292614

I thought about getting some of the repro boxes. But decided it wasn't for me. They do look nice though.

https://www.plakativ-druck.ch/shop/index.php?id_product=133&id_product_attribute=115&rewrite=amiga-500-cardboard&controller=product&id_lang=13#/58-nnards-with_cardboard_innards

Inviere · 05-07-2022 1:17pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291878#Comment_119291878

Super nice guy, I've contacted him about Amiga kits. I needed them in a hurry as I wanted them finished and reassembled, but I'd definitely be inclined to give him some business next time I need bits.

Steve X2 · 05-07-2022 5:49pm

I've just ordered a cap kit for the cd32(and cd drive) and A600 from Amigastore. Will see what arrives.

To be honest I'm not sure what I need to be looking out for to make sure they include the correct caps :)

Inviere · 05-07-2022 7:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294616#Comment_119294616

The only thing in my experience to watch for Steve, is which revision 600 you have. The v1 boards seem to need smaller caps than other revisions. Pop it open and just let them know before they process/dispatch anything. The CD32 seems standardised as far as I can tell. But the 600 v1 just will NOT accommodate quite a few of the standard size caps that other 600s do.

Steve X2 · 05-07-2022 9:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119295121#Comment_119295121

Thanks, I think the one that needs a cap kit is an A600 1.5 June Bug. I have an "A300" somewhere, but that was capped a good few years ago before I bought it.

Quigs Snr · 05-07-2022 9:52pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292512#Comment_119292512

Oooh I like that.

I wonder if I could find a riser that could handle a 21 inch CRT though.

Inviere · 06-07-2022 5:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119295811#Comment_119295811

I find because you're usually sitting right up close with microcomputers, you're actually as well off with a smaller screen. A 14" portable does a great job when sitting right at them, and would be much more riser friendly

geotrig · 06-07-2022 9:19am

nice job done there inviere ....nearly makes me want one !! one of the few consoles I've never come across or seen in the flesh

head82 · 16-07-2022 5:01pm

Apologies if I'm hijacking your thread here but I figured this was the best spot to post my query.

I've been lurking around here for awhile now and to say I'm impressed with your achievements re the Amiga CD32 would be a gross understatement! In fact, it's not just this particular project. It's the dedication that ALL you guys apply to your retro consoles. And not just the home consoles.. that arcade 'Afterburner' project.. WTF!

Anyway, here's my query.. I happen to have an Amiga CD32 console. Just the console, no power supply, controllers, software etc. It was something I picked up a few years back with every intention of restoring to completeness as I knew it was a little 'object of desire' but I've come to the realization that it's never going to happen. I'm completely out of my depth! So, if I was to sell it on (to fund another ongoing project.. ain't it always the way?) what could I realistically expect to get for an untested console?

Again, apologies for the hijacking.