Dreamcast with GDemu -Should I remove 12v ?

[Darkbit]

Hi guys,

I have my Dreamcast modded with GDEMU. everything is working as intended. My only current concern is if I should remove the 12v regulator. I use a composite cable for my video output and I'm currently fine with it. I've read some old posts saying that removing the 12V regulator kinda affects the RBG SCART setup, but since I dont have that and only uses composite, will removing the 12v affect me in any negative way?

I dont have plans to use RGB SCART in the future.

Hope you guys can help me out with this doubt.

Thanks!

[redjeff76]

my GDEMU works fine.... there is no need to remove that regulator if yours works fine. Why mess with what isn't broke.

[Darkbit]

my GDEMU works fine.... there is no need to remove that regulator if yours works fine. Why mess with what isn't broke.

It will work fine, but is a fact that the temperature will be higher because the optical drive is not consuming the 12V. If you are super casual and only play for some minutes every other day then you would be fine I guess, but if you plan to play on several hours straight then you will notice the console will be super hot, so in those cases is safer to make some adjustments.

either way, hopefully someone can help with the actual question about the video part because I'd like to have some feedback on that please.

[ateam]

Overheating PSU seems to be an overstated problem, but if you're concerned about it, you may want to consider fixing the problem at its root. This involves modifying the GDEMU PCB itself.

https://www.delta-island.com/index.php/ ... supply-mod

[Darkbit]

Overheating PSU seems to be an overstated problem, but if you're concerned about it, you may want to consider fixing the problem at its root. This involves modifying the GDEMU PCB itself.

https://www.delta-island.com/index.php/ ... supply-mod

Now that's some intersting approach. thank you for sharing that! that would seem like the optimal and real solution.

Have you done this mod yourself by any chance?

[ateam]

Have you done this mod yourself by any chance?

I haven't. Back then, most of us never knew about this, so I had the 12V rail removed from my PSUs (in addition to recapping).

I've heard a few others mention they've done this mod and it's working as expected, but I can't personally verify.

[redjeff76]

@Darkbit, I play all the time and my console with the GDEMU has never gotten excessively hot as you mention. As a matter of fact it never gets hot period. I have a US VA1 and have no heating issues whatsoever. I play daily and for long periods of time.

Perhaps you are parroting propaganda?

[megavolt85]

Perhaps you are parroting propaganda?

NTSC-U consoles rarely overheat; overheating is a problem with the PSU of PAL region consoles

[Darkbit]

Have you done this mod yourself by any chance?

I haven't. Back then, most of us never knew about this, so I had the 12V rail removed from my PSUs (in addition to recapping).

I've heard a few others mention they've done this mod and it's working as expected, but I can't personally verify.

Thank you for the honest and smart reply, I'm trying to learn about something that may affect me so is nice to have a educated communication with some people here
I also saw some other info (as mentioned above) about adding resistors to the GDEMU itself attached to the 25th pin in the connector. that would take in all the 12v generated and stop the possible overheating. So that's also another option to avoid mess with the 12v in the PSU itself.

I also learned some time ago about the DreamPSU but I read a very detailed article about those and they are not quite recommended due to be cheaply manufactured/designed, so is better to stick with original PSU.

This is a very interesting topic indeed, I'll see if I can do some tests myself and come with some results on my own to share it with you guys.

[Darkbit]

Perhaps you are parroting propaganda?

NTSC-U consoles rarely overheat; overheating is a problem with the PSU of PAL region consoles

That's also an interesting info! thank you, that include the NTSC-U with GDEMU mod? just to be sure.