Restoring One Of The Most Expensive Consoles Of The 90's

I recently acquired a PAC-N1 module for the LaserActive. With these units you need to replace the capacitors preemptively due to a high risk of blowing fuses on the LaserActive power supply as a result of leaking capacity. In this video I not only restore the PAC-N1, but I also show you 5 different methods on how to remove surface mounted electrolytic capacitors!

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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
2:03 Disassemble the PAC-N1 and FUN FACTS
4:00 Condition of the Capacitors
4:26 Remove Capacitors - Method 1: Rocker Method
5:38 Method 2: Flush Cutters
6:43 Method 3: Hot Air
7:37 Method 4: Twist Off
7:53 Method 5: Hot Tweezers
8:19 WARNING! Exploding CAPACITORS!
9:00 Replace All Capacitors And More Fun Facts!
11:00 How To Install Brand New Surface Mounted Capacitors
13:45 The JAILBAR Fix
15:33 Reassembly
17:07 Conclusion

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Disclaimer: This video is only for entertainment purposes. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or from the information in this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and is to be used at the discretion of the end user/viewer and not Macho Nacho Productions or Tito Perez. If you are uncertain about any step of the process or feel unsure about your skill level, seek a more authoritative source.

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#PCEngine #LaserActive #MachoNachoProductions

[seanreber]

The Japanese in the 90s and early 2000s were building absolutely insane stuff. I've still got a Pioneer Kuro Elite plasma TV that runs like a clock (while heating the entire house). I bet being in Tokyo in 1990 was a trip.

[residentevilman]

Been soldering for 15 years and do so professionally now as a circuit repair technician. I find the twist method for SMD electrolytic capacitor removal to be the safest and most reliable. I've tested all the methods you showed in the video over the years and the twist method is the only one I've had zero issues with; all the rest I've pulled pads, blown up capacitors, or just had a miserable time with doing. As long as you apply a very slight downward pressure while doing a slight twisting motion with the pliers and never pull up until the capacitor's legs are broken, you're golden. I've had a 100% success rate with it, no matter the state of the pads, corroded from field-use or otherwise.

At the end of the day, the best method is the one you're most comfortable with and I can't fault anyone for that, but I'd recommend revisiting the twist method. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Thank you for the video, Tito!

[chadwolf]

I love stuff like this. What a cool collector’s item. Mass respect to console 5 for selling packs for such an obscure device. I’m glad companies like that exist.

[charliebit]

I found a LaserActive for $20 at a thrift store years ago, just thinking "woah! LaserDisc player!" and gifted it to my brother...only to later find out what it actually was. We've gone back multiple times since then hoping to find any of the modules, but have never had any luck. Love to see this!

[evilsn]

Found a US LaserActive with the TurboGrafx PAC about 2 months ago at a FleaMarket in South Texas and snagged it for $40. Spent about 3 or 4 weeks recapping the LaserActive and a friend recapped the N10 for me. Lots of time and nerve racking troubleshooting and it’s back to life! Also got Zaxours RGB/SV mod installed. Tito’s videos were very helpful for reference while doing this as well!

[NipplesTheEnchilada]

The fact that Pioneer thought of a modular system like this back in '93 is crazy to me.

The closest modern equivalent to this we got is the PolyMega, and that thing is emulated, so the fact that there was a system that could interface with two separate game consoles, that were competing at the time, via modules is insane, to be honest.

[adamkelly]

Oh, Tito, another suggestion: you consider advising people to take a picture of the board first, and adding a sticker that says "caps replaced 2024 aug 08" at the end of the repair.

[airspeedmph]

Such a stylish channel. The music, the light, filming angles and narration, anyway the whole package is top notch and classy.

[Iskelderon]

Thank you for preserving something so obscure for the future!

[aaronfifty]

Never had the opportunity to get my hands on the PC Engine PAC- neat to finally see inside of it!

I've now repaired 3 Genesis PAC units and am on my 4th CLD-A100 repair. Those PAC units can be a *menace* to work on. If they weren't preventatively recapped, they will have suffered major damage from cap leaks. I had to rebuild just about every pad on a sub board in one of them. Stripped the board and ran it through the dishwasher to get the electrolytic fluid out of all those vias.

The LA unit I'm in the of repairing is actually my personal unit. Was hoping recapping the power supply and replacing the ICPs would do the job, but no such luck 😅

In the middle of a full recap and solder joint rework... man, that thing has a *lot* of caps!

Thanks for another great video!

[TheRedDeath]

I appreciate the in depth guide to recapping. While it's something I have done quite a lot now, I know new hobbyists will appreciate the guidance when the first try to do this.

[myrmeko]

The looks are timeless. It looks so sleek and modern. And the fact you could have two consoles in one back then is just crazy. 😮🤯

[FARezDragon]

The techniques here are so clean! All the do's and don't you demonstrate are so helpful in general for electronics restoration. Thank you for mixing the education with the spotless work.

[SmokeyLove-vtxd]

Dude, the different methods is such a cool addition to the video. As someone learning, it is very helpful.

I havent watched all your videos so maybe you have done it before. But its a game changer for me!

[imqqmi]

What a beautiful module, so well designed! It's probably a tech concept that was brought to market more than a mass consumer product. And your audio/video recording and lighting are very high quality as well!

[morestuff]

This is a great video for taking notes about capacitors and sources for parts. I was born in 1975 and I remember this being discussed in the increasingly thicker electronic monthly magazine of the time. I could understand how parent would sit down and price it out with a teenagerwith the cost of something like this is but I can understand why somebody would choose to buy it because of all the cable management. Which is something that the retailers at The could’ve really talked about it as sales meeting.

[Mohammedreal]

You brought justice to the LaserActive once again with the magnificent PC Engine.

[alexgonzales]

It may not be said a lot, but man, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge on soldering cause I've a lot thanks to you!

[sergeantsapient]

That trimming method is kick-ass. I don't have the steady hands I used to have for soldering so any thing that can help me avoid it is good.

[sergiolopes]

Man, I don't know about the others here, but it's therapeutical for me. It's a kind of cozy Lofi gamer content. I mean, I love this channel and I love these kind of tutorials. We're able to understand how refined the welding techniques are and how and for what each one is recommended.