How Game Boy Color Power Circuit & Regulators Work - RetroSix Explains

See the everyday life of working a retro modding company. Learn hardware design, mods, software, FPGA, LCDs and more.
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[@harrisonfordyce6982]

"That's the boring part out of the way" *me on the edge of my seat, fascinated, wanting to learn more*

[@JorimPalmer]

This is so much more helpful than people that blindly suggest solutions to problems that haven't properly been diagnosed. Thank you!!

[@RetroSix]

You're very welcome!

[@fiffy6572]

Can't believe a video like this is completely free! Such good explanations and care of details Thank you so much!! This would help me fix my GBC for sure!

[@DavidSikesII]

Thank you so much. Fantastic walkthrough, I was able to ensure everything up to the switch, then saw bad values coming from the switch. It was insanely dirty inside. Pulled it apart, scraped it for a few minutes with an xacto knife and brushed it for a while with IPA and now there's another GBC in the world saved from the bin! Thanks again. You have an absolutely fantastic teaching style. I watched the rest of the video even after it was fixed just because it is so interesting.

[@RetroSix]

You welcome glad you liked it

[@KastiHolo]

This really helped me to find out that my EM 10 coil was dead. replaced it, and it lives again. Thank you so much!

[@Dylan94]

Thanks, man. I was having trouble troubleshooting my gbc that stopped turning on and only flashing the led momentarily on boot. I had a corroded component on the regulator that I was able to remove, clean, and reattach, and it works again! Wish google found me your video sooner.

[@C5films]

Dude, I cannot thank you enough for this amazing tutorial that has inspired me to soldier on and try and fix things.

[@RetroSix]

Glad you like it 😁

[@chrish8904]

This was awesome. Probably the only fun video i've watched that helped me wrap my head around schematics. I would love if you created more troubleshooting videos utilizing schematics like this.

[@Fuzzy6262]

I searched for a video like this for a long time! You make this so easy to follow along and build some confidence. I've got 3.12V into the back side of my power reg and nothing out of the other pins, so at the very least I've localized mt issue. Time to dig in with the knowledge I've gained! You gained a sub, keep them coming!

[@readifer]

I stumbled upon your content and store after frying a gameboy color with some mods I tried installing. Now seeing mods you have I'm kind of kicking myself for not researching further before diving into the color modding scene. You're giving me loads of information while I wait for my multimeter to arrive and hopefully restore my fried color to life.

[@XrackProject]

I have ran into this video because any other diognoses failed... So I had to understand the whole circuit in order to find the issue and it was the same one as you had on this very example! The DC jack was the bad boy on my end aswell! So thanks a lot, for taking so much time and efford to show the schematics and also any components on the board. I made tons of notes on paper, so I can follow any steps better!

[@cotajesus90]

thank you so much for this super detailed and informative video on gbc!! following everything you have shown and explained i was able to find the problem and fix it now i have a working gbc ✌️ thank you again

[@earthskarma]

This is a spectacular video. Thank you very much for explaining all of this in the detail you have. You've outperformed all of my other sources, and I will sing the praises of retrosix to all who will listen. Thanks again 🤘

[@RetroSix]

Thanks. I'll do more like it. I also dump all my info on www.retrosix.wiki and a lot goes on there that isn't in videos. Also active community of over 4000 members now on discord.gg/retrosix

[@JoeyDoesTech]

Glad I've found this channel pal. I'm one to replace components because of what I've seen on KZbin, you seem to help me make the bridge between replacing something, and it making sense why I'm replacing it 😊 Thankyou for the free knowledge 👍

[@RetroSix]

Good to know and exactly why I am making the extra details

[@JM-hr2zl]

Love your discord channel! Helped me many times. Also thanks for the videos I learn a lot!

[@RetroSix]

Always glad to help

[@schloppyjalopy4327]

I've just recently joined your discord, thanks for the help on there and for these informative videos!

[@RetroSix]

Your welcome

[@MNSweet]

I've never done a game mod and this isn't scary to me. So I think I found my new hobby also I really appreciate the mods I'm seeing from your company verse others I feel like my first project will be better off with one of your projects.

[@ScottFix]

I absolutely love your channel. There is so much content and you explain things so well. Really appreciate you taking the time to do these videos. Would love it if you could do a similar video on the Gameboy DMG 🙏

[@RetroSix]

Glad you like them. Will do more on other consoles too

[@ScottFix]

@@RetroSix Superstar. Can't wait. Thanks for getting back to me yesterday regarding the enamel wire. I ordered some from your website 👍

[@winsucker7755]

Loved it! I would say go even deeper! Like how the whole gameboys are working.

[@rajatanpacelana]

Thank you for sharing.. feels like going back to school again... again thank you.

[@mr.flex3019]

Love these kind of videos ❤🙏

[@EdwinSteiner]

Very thorough. Well made content!

[@RetroSix]

Thanks

[@SwampT]

This video was awsome! really great thank you!

[@Zortan12]

This is so helpful, thank you so much!!!

[@GearShiftin42]

Great video! Thank you!

[@Jerkorip]

AMAZING WORK!!! THANKS!!!

[@Firerexify]

please make a video on everything electronic about the gameboy dmg. maybe use an oscilloscope for fun. show the 4.2mhz crystal oscillation

[@RetroSix]

I'll do video on using oscilloscopes soon. Could use DMG as an example

[@dean-543]

Awesome video.

[@RetroSix]

Thanks

[@Jimmytheman13]

Hey great video. I followed along well and got continuity through the whole thing. If I’ve done all the above but the gameboy still won’t power on would you suggest replacing the LED or another power check? I’ve cleaned the switch and all other contacts of corrosion. Thanks!

[@RetroSix]

Yep test power switch. Join our discord for more assistance

[@lincruste]

First of all thank you for the effort you made in bringing this knowledge to us. KZbin is better with people like you. Now I'll just say that it's a pity you shiw elements on the schematic with a tiny windows mouse cursor, I really can't follow what you're showing while you talk.

[@gamesanddadsgamesanddads6364]

Very useful if you ask. If this is a martial arts, you are a master And I will be your disciple. Thank you. I hope you please do the same to the original Gameboy advance.

[@RetroSix]

Glad the videos are useful and thanks for the nice comments

[@acmecondorsrealm8357]

Hello! Need some help I have 2 gameboys that the power adapter plug in doesn't work at all but obviously yes batteries work fine... what do you think the fix is ?

[@rafaliyo86]

Hi, hope you can help me. I have a GBC board with no power (but yes a small flicker). I am following this video and when I test D2 when I put negative terminal of multimeter on the top side and positive in the bottom side I got 2.6V however in your vid you get 0V. Also if I test the power regulator I get 3V between pin 1 and 3 but if I test pin 3 with other side I dont get 5v 15v or 13v. And last if I test pin 3 and 5 of U7 regulator I get 0V instead of 3V. Are these fails connected? I mean I should replace D2, power regulator and U7 or is one of them which cause the fail?. Thanks in advance

[@chinees19]

I found out I don't have connection between F1 and 3 (power). Can I just connect them with a wire? ( I did try, but my screen started to do funky immediately so i turned it back off). The power-light is working now but still is it OK to just connect the two? Thanks :)

[@roseplaysz]

Awesome video, thanks for explaining everything so clearly. I was able to discover that my dc-dc converter and c32 are not working. I have no output voltages from the regulator at all. I'm guessing a donor board is the only solution?

[@RetroSix]

You can use a CleanPower if it's just the 5V rail that's bad or you are going to use a modern screen upgrade like IPS then you can use CleanPower for that too

[@roseplaysz]

@@RetroSix thanks so much for the reply. Unfortunately I don't have the 5, -15 or 13 volts. I guess Ill have to upgrade the screen too. but the c32 is showing continuity to ground on both sides, guess that's shot too?

[@RetroSix]

@@roseplaysz yep remove it and check it out of circuit

[@roseplaysz]

Just wanted to leave an update. I wasn't getting any output voltages on my regulator, but I was getting the 3V in. I removed the regulator as I planned to just do an IPS mod, then I decided to check the regulator again. I resoldered it back in and now the gameboy works. All voltages out are correct....can't figure it out. and there wasn't anything wrong with C32....go figure.

[@geoticci2833]

bonjour , retrosix j'ai un souci avec une de mes game boy pocket ! en effet en voulant teste un ecran dune au console pocket , j'ai mes pixel qui affiche plus rien!. j'ai bien la led qui s'allume ainsi que le son mais rien a l'écran !! si vous pense savoir d'où ca peut provenir ou si vous avez une idee de la panne merci

[@gamesanddadsgamesanddads6364]

I subscribed

[@ddss6224]

come posso collegare i tasti a e b del mio game boy color li ho puliti ma nn funzionano grazie per la risposta se ci sara !

[@nandeshou9058]

Hey mate @retrosix , can you help me out figuring out what is that part of the GB Color that is on the bottom and its like a chip sticking out of the main board, you pointed at it as "regulators". It has an inductor or capacitor of some sort in it and mine broke off, so I was wondering if I can either sodder a new inductor there, or find a new "cluster chip thingamajig" which i can't find the name for. It's basically the one of all the different capacitors that looks different and is on that extra little piece of board there. thanks in advance

[@RetroSix]

It's a transformer. Not currently sourced one with same specifications so would have to take off a donor

[@DansCritterKingdom]

I have no voltage change on my regulator 🤔

[@LumenateTV]

I've always wonder what the little adjuster on this circuit board is labeled VR2 doubt ill ever know.

[@RetroSix]

Variable Resistor

[@rookie_pulls9676]

Any ways to replace the metal on the internal power switch?

[@RetroSix]

Swap it for DS lite switch and remove spring. Checkout my other video King of power

[@wajs102]

Hey awesome stuff! So I came a cross a motherboard that is missing R15 and 2 resistors on the power board. Any suggestions are to how and where to find these online?

[@RetroSix]

retrosix.co.uk/Resistor-Book-0402-p431284527 has then all. Values can be found in schematic

[@wajs102]

@@RetroSix Thanks for the fast reply! As for the power board if I can't get it to work, is there anywhere I can find a replacement? Or is the only one the Clean Power

[@RetroSix]

@@wajs102 only off donar board or CleanPower. I will make a CleanPower Pro with original LCD support soon too

[@wajs102]

@@RetroSix Sounds good, appreciate the support! I'll place an order soon 😊

[@GiuseppeFerro]

Hi, i bought a faulty Gameboy color because I want to create a frame with it. But the seller gifted me 6 games. So I tried to fix the console. First i found that the power switch was oxidated so i removed it and soldered a external power switch to continue the test. Then I saw that the F1 doesn't work and in another video I saw that I can bridge it (but I want to order a new one). So I tried to use a spray that renew and clean the electric components and I noticed that in the first 1-2 minutes after the spray, the Gameboy turn on and do the boot sound. After 2-3 minutes, it comes to the back condition, a fast red blinking after turn on but no work. Ok, then i tested the power regulator and I have only 3 volts at the input. I don't have 15, -15, 5 volts at the output. So I tried again the spray test in the power regulator and it works. So i removed it and I discovered that the circle component on the power regulator, has the contact dissoldered and is broken. I searched on web but I found used regulators only from the United States. And it cost about 25$. I live in Europe (Italy), so i have other expensive cost import. Could you suggest me other website to buy it? I think that is more convenient go buy another faulty Gameboy color on ebay and hope that has a working power regulator. I thought if I can buy something adaptable like step-up for power bank USB or something similar to use it on game boy. I'm not expert in electrical topic but I fully understood your video. Thank you

[@RetroSix]

If you order from us and just leave a note to "please include free working OG GBC regulator" I can chuck you one in

[@kmjcollects]

I have a Gameboy that turns on, I can hear the volume, but getting nothing on the screen. I tested the screen on a functional board and it works, but when I put it back it's just a black screen.

[@kmjcollects]

Gameboy Color*

[@RetroSix]

Measure the voltage on output of regulator at bottom right of console from the back. Should have 5V top left pin, and about 13 to 19V on other pins. One is negative

[@kmjcollects]

@@RetroSix yes, they are all in range

[@RetroSix]

Jump on our discord.gg/RetroSix for more help

[@felipemedinamunon4210]

@@kmjcollects mismo problema pantalla en negro, has podido solucionar? También me pasa lo mismo con una GB pocket

[@0.B.1]

Hey Luke please can you do same video for Gameboy Advance SP?

[@RetroSix]

Yep I'll be releasing USB C mod for GBA SP soon

[@frenchmax]

Ok so, I mounted a funnyplay led board. First everything worked briefly fine, then the Problems started. Console didn't turn on anymore. My Power switch also Fell apart, I replaced it. Now I have following issue (and I am really clueless): When the Power switch is OFF, when I try to turn ON, the Power LED flickers once but nothing happens. Now, if I leave the Power switch on the ON Position, and I take the batteries out and put them back in, the gameboy starts properly. If I use a 5v Power supply on the DC Jack, the LED board lights up eventhough the powerswitch is turned OFF. If I turn the Power switch ON, the Power LED is on, but no screen and no gameboy beep. The only thing I can imagine, since my screen lacks contrast (even after tweaking the potentiometer) is that my Power capacitor could have an issue. I read that those often fail when modding is done because they were just enough for the gameboy to work from stock. Still I can' t figure the issue with the switch. Where is the difference between turning the Power switch from OFF to ON, or having it in the ON Position and putting the Batts in.. someone please help 😅😅

[@RetroSix]

Do you have any other mods like CleanPower? And if you remove LED board is it all ok?

[@frenchmax]

@@RetroSix I must confess I did not try to remove the led board yet. But for the moment no other mod on the console only the led board. I made sure everything was soldered properly. But I tested also with the leds turned off, so they wouldn' t pull current by switching on

[@frenchmax]

@@RetroSix Ok Just desoldered the led board, now the gameboy turns on just normallly?? could it in the end be a power issue? or a faulty board? I resoldered it, same issue as before...

[@RetroSix]

@@frenchmax yes. FunnyPlaying are not known for quality lol. Grab one of our LED boards you won't have a problem :P

[@frenchmax]

@@RetroSix can you recommend one as well as a ips display for the gbc?

[@tomy4745]

hello what the orange wire are you using ?

[@RetroSix]

Enamel wire. We sell it at RetroSix.co.uk if you search for Enamel

[@tomy4745]

@@RetroSix without plastic sheath 0.2mm ?

[@RetroSix]

It's enamel coated so the coating is 0.05mm

[@codylamb585]

im not sure if youll see this but you never added the power guide on the wiki

[@RetroSix]

Yeah I'll do a write up when I get time

[@codylamb585]

@@RetroSixthank you! Just got my first broken console today wish me luck. I was able to test everything up until applying power ordering the battery pack with clamps now

[@RetroSix]

Good luck