Thin/Thick wire

[techshare]

Is it true that you must use a thicker wire for the power/vcc to power a chip such at the magic? If so, why is this? I am using Kynar wire ... and I don't see why some thicker wire would transport +5v any better. This is not a lot of current. However, I'm no expert so please explain.

Also, would something like standard (stranded) speaker wire suffice for connection of vcc and ground along with kynar wire for the rest of the connections? TIA for any help.

[Sandmage]

you MUST use a thick wire for the power and ground at least (it also works better to use on the reset as well)

if you do not have this wire try wrapping 3 or 4 kynar wires together to make one and use them.

whats the gauge of the kynar wire you're using currently?

[Debby]

The 5v and GND points transfer too much current, so the kynar/enamelled wires aren't think enough to be stable for the chip.

Speaker wires are like 5-8 times thicker then the needed wire, so you'll have problems soldering it even to the easy 5 and GND points. If you don't have such wire, you can use an IDA/Floppy flat ribbon, and separate a thread out of it. (don't use ATA 66/100 ribbon) - it worked fine for me a couple of times.

[techshare]

ok thanks.. i was just looking for some real test for future reference. In other words, what if you just use thin wire .. what happens? Has anyone tried it? Unfortunately I can't confirm yet because I probably have other probs with my install as well. Thanks again.

[Sandmage]

There is not enough current in the thin wire

[charlie_ps2]

This forum is full of failure stories cured by having thicker wire esp. for GND and ideally also for Power.

Go read!

[philmountains]

Originally posted by techshare
Is it true that you must use a thicker wire for the power/vcc to power a chip such at the magic? If so, why is this? I am using Kynar wire ... and I don't see why some thicker wire would transport +5v any better. This is not a lot of current. However, I'm no expert so please explain.

Also, would something like standard (stranded) speaker wire suffice for connection of vcc and ground along with kynar wire for the rest of the connections? TIA for any help.

Hi I am fitting a messiah 2 at the moment and have found all the correct wire needed in the scrap pile at work, 1 old TV and a VCR ,seems to be a good idea to me, especially when you are only doing a one off, by the way does anyone know where you can get hold of the litle resistors on a PS2 board cause I have fried one !!!!!
Phil

[Sandmage]

get them from a broken ps2/psx or a pc chip but make sure its the one

[Pokey]

Originally posted by philmountains
Hi I am fitting a messiah 2 at the moment and have found all the correct wire needed in the scrap pile at work, 1 old TV and a VCR ,seems to be a good idea to me, especially when you are only doing a one off, by the way does anyone know where you can get hold of the litle resistors on a PS2 board cause I have fried one !!!!!
Phil

If you can't find the right surfacemount part then you might want to try and use regular (through hole) resistors. I had to when I burnt out my resistor network trying to hookup the macro-mod. The only downside to through hole parts is the wider tolerance, but the resistor leads made it easy to attach the macro-mod .

Just tin the resistor lead and press it onto the correct pad, apply the soldering iron and then remove it while holding the lead in place. Don't forget to lay the resistor down on the mainboard to give you clearance when you put the PS2 back together.

[Debby]

a PC mobo usually holds all the resistors you need - get a fried/old mobo , check the resistance with MM, and replace it.

Through-hole resistors sometimes don't usable, when delicate locations as the "s" point need replacment, but they do the work great too.