Introduction

This section aims at providing instructions (steps and parts) to replace the capacitor on the IFU-30 if saved games are no longer stored when the system is powered down. Caveat: To carry out the following steps, the main PCB need to have been removed form the unit to work on it and the RAM mezzanine board needs to be taken off to give access to the components to be removed.

Step 1 : Removal of existing components

Remove C101 as this large capacitor no longer holds a charge for long enough and therefore any data that stored in the BRAM will be lost soon after after powering down the system. Also remove R73 as this resistor is only use to limit current when charging the capacitor.

Step 2 : Components to provide

The mod will use a coin cell instead of a capacitor. To prevent current flowing into the coin cell, a diode is required and will be fitted in R73 footprint. You will need a CR2450 coin cell, a CR2450 coin cell holder and a 1N5817 shottky diode although other shottky diodes are acceptable but I had these in my stash of components. It is also possible to use a CR2032 coin cell but it has less capacity.

Step 3 : Coin cell holder preparation

Cut two wires to 25cm approximately. Tin both ends of the wire prior to soldering as it will help. Solder wires to each leg of the coin cell holder and use heatshrink tubing to isolate the pins. Bend the pins otherwise, the holder won't fit under the PCB.

Step 4 & 5 : Soldering to PCB

Solder the wires as per the pictures (step 4 picture show the end result from he top of the PCB and step 5 picture from beneath). The battery will be stored under the PCB.

Step 6 : Securing the battery

Put tape around the holder to ensure it does not make contact with the PCB and use double sided tape and apply 2 strips in the centre of the unit to secure it.This should be enough to prevent it from moving about.

Step 7 : The end

You may want to check that 3.3V is present before placing the RAM mezzanine back on. Make sure that the battery is still stuck tot he bottom of the case and not touching the PCB (in theory it shouldn't be possible if the pins have been bent properly). That's it, you can play and save your games again with your IFU-30.