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Rewrite against Sega's own service manuals hosted on this wiki plus console5 board-reads; fabricated capacitor tables and specifications removed, every figure now cited
 
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[[File:Sega Saturn VA0 PAL main board parts location.png|thumb|400px|Sega's circuit board diagram for the 837-11493 VA0 PAL main board. Ceramics carry '''C''' numbers; every electrolytic carries a '''CE''' number.]]


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The early '''Sega Saturn''' main boards use surface-mount aluminium electrolytics, and they leak. This page lists them by board revision, together with the power supply and CD-ROM boards, which are separate assemblies with their own designators.


Replacing the electrolytic capacitors in your '''Sega Saturn Model 1''' is a vital preventative maintenance step to ensure stable operation, crisp video and audio output, and to prevent catastrophic board damage from capacitor leakage. As Saturn consoles age, original capacitors can dry out or leak, causing random resets, graphical artefacts, audio distortion, or even permanent PCB corrosion. A full recap restores reliability and preserves your Saturn for years to come.
== How Sega numbered the Saturn ==


== 🔍 Visual Inspection & Failure Signs ==
On the Saturn, Sega splits the capacitor designators into two series: plain '''C''' numbers for ceramic chip capacitors and '''CE''' numbers for aluminium electrolytics.<ref name="satman">Sega Enterprises, Ltd., ''Service Manual — Sega Saturn (PAL), No. 013-1'', June 1995 — hosted on this wiki as [[:File:Sega service manual - sega saturn pal - no. 013-1 june 1995.pdf]] (see [[Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn Pal - 1 June 1995]]). Section 1 gives the ratings, section 5 the disassembly, section 6 the CD drive maintenance and adjustment figures, section 7 the block diagram with the power supply rails, section 9 the circuit board diagrams and section 11-3 the electrical parts list for the VA0 main board.</ref> Sega's own circuit board diagram for the VA0 PAL board, reproduced here, shows both series side by side, and the VA13 schematics use the same convention.<ref name="satva13">''Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual (PAL)'' — hosted on this wiki as [[:File:Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual PAL.pdf]] (see [[Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual (PAL)]]). A partial scan: block diagram, power supply and CD unit sheets and eleven main-board schematic sheets. It carries no parts list, but its schematics use the same C / CE designator split as the VA0 manual.</ref>


Before beginning, carefully inspect the mainboard and power supply for these common capacitor issues:
Two footnotes to that rule, both from Sega's own parts list: CE1, CE2 and CE4 are '''ceramic''' 1 µF chip parts fitted in CE-numbered positions, and CE32 is a 10 µF 6.3 V '''tantalum''' chip.<ref name="satman" /> Neither is part of a normal recap.


* '''Leaking electrolyte''' – Brown, black, or green residue at the base of capacitors, especially near the audio and video sections.
The practical consequence: a capacitor list for this machine that gives plain <code>C</code> designators — C1 to C20 at one value, C21 to C30 at the next — is not describing a Saturn. On the real VA0 board C1 to C20 are 0.1 µF ceramics.<ref name="satman" />
* '''Bulging or domed tops''' – The aluminium can appears swollen or convex.
* '''Corroded pads or traces''' – Green or darkened areas around capacitor legs.
* '''Random resets, no video, or distorted sound''' – Often linked to failed power or audio rail capacitors.
* '''Fishy or acrid odour''' – A sign of electrolyte leakage.


If '''any''' capacitor shows failure, it is strongly advised to replace '''all''' electrolytic capacitors on the board.
== Which board do you have? ==


== 📋 Sega Saturn Model 1 Capacitor List ==
Saturn board revisions differ in more than layout, so '''read the silkscreen''' — it carries both an 837- assembly number and a 171- PCB number, for example "837-11493 IC BD SATURN MAIN VA0 PAL / 171-6963B".


The '''Model 1 Saturn''' (VA0/VA1 mainboards, typically with round buttons and 20-pin power supply) uses both through-hole and SMD electrolytic capacitors. Always cross-check your board revision and silkscreen markings, as minor value changes exist between regions.
* '''Surface-mount electrolytics''' — VA0, VA0.5 and VA1. These are the boards covered below.<ref name="c5sat">console5 TechWiki, ''Saturn'', https://wiki.console5.com/wiki/Sega_Saturn . Secondary source — per-revision capacitor lists read off real boards, covering VA0 through VA15, the power supply units by manufacturer and model, and the CD-ROM PCBs. Its VA0 PAL list (837-11491 / 837-11493) agrees position for position with the parts list in Sega’s own PAL service manual, including the values at CE30 and CE54 that are specific to PAL boards.</ref>
* '''Through-hole electrolytics''' — VA SG, VA SD, VA6, VA7, VA8, VA9, VA10, VA11, VA13, VA15. Those lists are on [[Sega Saturn (Model 2) Capacitor Replacement Guide]].<ref name="c5sat" />


=== 🖥️ Mainboard Electrolytic Capacitors ===
The shell does not reliably tell you which board is inside. If the board in front of you is a through-hole revision, use the other page regardless of which case it came in.


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
Beyond the main board there are three further assemblies with their own capacitors: the '''power supply unit''', which is a bought-in module and varies by manufacturer and by mains voltage; the '''CD-ROM board''', which likewise came from several suppliers; and the small '''SH-1 board''' (838-10834), on which only C121 (47 µF) is fitted — C108 and C122 are empty positions.<ref name="c5sat" />
|+'''Sega Saturn Model 1 Mainboard Capacitor List'''
 
! Ref. Designator !! Capacitance !! Voltage !! Type !! Location / Function
== The power supply ==
 
The Saturn is '''mains-powered'''. There is no DC adaptor: the PAL machine (model MK-80200-50) is rated AC 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz, approximately 20 W, and takes a detachable mains lead.<ref name="satman" /> Any guide that describes a 9 V or 10 V DC input for this console is describing a different machine.
 
That means the power supply board carries lethal voltages and stores them. The primary-side bulk capacitor is a 22–56 µF part rated 400 V on 220–240 V units.<ref name="c5sat" /> Before touching the board: unplug the lead, wait, then '''measure across that capacitor and discharge it through a resistor''' until it reads near zero. Recapping this board is entirely reasonable work — it is one of the two boards most likely to need it — but do it with the mains lead out and the bulk capacitor proved dead.
 
The rails it produces are given in Sega's block diagram:<ref name="satman" />
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%;"
! Rail !! Feeds
|-
|-
| C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14, C15, C16, C17, C18, C19, C20 || 10 µF || 16 V || SMD || General decoupling (scattered throughout)
| +9 V || The CD drive, and the PLL
|-
|-
| C21, C22, C23, C24, C25, C26, C27, C28, C29, C30 || 22 µF || 16 V || SMD || Video, audio, and logic rails
| +5 V || Everything except the SDRAM
|-
|-
| C31, C32, C33, C34 || 47 µF || 16 V || SMD || Audio output, video encoder
| +3.3 V || The SDRAM
|}
 
There is no +12 V rail.
 
== Main board lists ==
 
The VA0 PAL list below is the one case where a manufacturer source and a community source can be compared directly: Sega's own electrical parts list for the 837-11493 board and console5's list read off real boards '''agree position for position''', including the PAL-specific values at CE30 and CE54.<ref name="satman" /><ref name="c5sat" /> That agreement is the reason to trust the remaining revisions, which console5 documents and Sega's hosted manual does not.
 
=== VA0 — 837-11076 (NTSC) ===
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
|-
| C35, C36, C37 || 100 µF || 10 V || SMD || Audio amplifier, video DAC
| 100 µF 6.3 V || CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19, CE30
|-
|-
| C38, C39 || 220 µF || 10 V || SMD || Main 5 V rail decoupling
| 10 µF 16 V || CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
|-
|-
| C40 || 470 µF || 6.3 V || SMD || Main 3.3 V rail decoupling
| 4.7 µF 25 V || CE22
|-
|-
| C41 || 1000 µF || 6.3 V || Through-hole || Bulk 5 V filter (near power input)
| 220 µF 4 V || CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
|-
|-
| C42 || 470 µF || 16 V || Through-hole || Bulk 9 V filter (if fitted)
| 22 µF 6.3 V || CE33, CE34
|-
|-
| C43 || 2200 µF || 10 V || Through-hole || Main 5 V filter (sometimes 1000 µF in later VA1)
| 47 µF 6.3 V || CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53
|-
| 330 µF 6.3 V || CE45, CE46
|-
| 1 µF 50 V || CE47, CE48
|-
| Not fitted || CE38
|}
|}


''Note: SMD capacitor counts and locations may vary slightly by region and board revision. Always verify with your actual board.''
=== VA0 — 837-11491 / 837-11493 (PAL) ===


=== 🔌 Power Supply Board (Internal PSU) ===
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 100 µF 6.3 V || CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19
|-
| 10 µF 16 V || CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
|-
| 4.7 µF 25 V || CE22
|-
| 220 µF 4 V || CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
|-
| 220 µF 10 V (6.3 V acceptable) || CE30
|-
| 22 µF 6.3 V || CE33, CE34
|-
| 47 µF 6.3 V || CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53
|-
| 330 µF 6.3 V || CE45, CE46
|-
| 1 µF 50 V || CE47, CE48
|-
| 100 µF 10 V || CE54 (PAL boards)
|-
| Not fitted || CE38
|}
 
=== VA0.5 — 837-11493 / 837-11076-02 ===
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 100 µF 6.3 V || CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19
|-
| 10 µF 16 V || CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
|-
| 4.7 µF 25 V || CE22
|-
| 220 µF 4 V || CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
|-
| 220 µF 10 V (6.3 V acceptable) || CE30
|-
| 22 µF 6.3 V || CE33, CE34
|-
| 47 µF 6.3 V || CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53, CE55
|-
| 330 µF 6.3 V || CE45, CE46
|-
| 1 µF 50 V || CE47, CE48
|}


Saturn Model 1 units use an internal linear or switch-mode PSU. Recap the PSU for safety and stability.
=== VA1 — 837-11613-01 / 837-11891-01 ===


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:100%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
|+'''Sega Saturn Model 1 Power Supply Capacitor List'''
! Value !! Designators
! Ref. Designator !! Capacitance !! Voltage !! Type !! Notes
|-
| 100 µF 6.3 V || CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19, CE30
|-
| 10 µF 16 V || CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
|-
|-
| C101 || 2200 µF || 16 V || Through-hole || Main 5 V output filter
| 4.7 µF 25 V || CE22
|-
|-
| C102 || 1000 µF || 16 V || Through-hole || 9 V output filter
| 220 µF 4 V || CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
|-
|-
| C103 || 470 µF || 25 V || Through-hole || 12 V output filter
| 22 µF 6 V || CE33, CE34
|-
|-
| C104 || 47 µF || 50 V || Through-hole || Input smoothing
| 47 µF 6.3 V || CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53, CE55
|-
|-
| C105 || 10 µF || 50 V || Through-hole || Standby / logic supply
| 330 µF 6.3 V || CE45
|-
| 220 µF 6.3 V || CE46
|-
| 1 µF 50 V || CE47, CE48
|-
| 47 µF 16 V || CE58 (PAL boards)
|}
|}


''If your Saturn has a different PSU (e.g., 220 V vs 110 V), values may differ slightly. Replace with equal or higher voltage ratings.''
Note the voltage ratings. CE24 to CE29 are '''4 V''' parts in Sega's own list — that is not a typographical error, and a higher rating in the same footprint is a safe substitution, but do not assume a "standard" 16 V value for those positions.<ref name="satman" />


== 🛠️ Recapping Procedure ==
== Power supply boards, 220–240 V ==


# '''Unplug and discharge:''' Disconnect AC power and allow several minutes for capacitors to discharge. For safety, short large PSU capacitors with a 1 kΩ resistor.
Identify yours from the label; the manufacturer and model are printed on it.<ref name="c5sat" />
# '''Disassemble:''' Remove the top cover, optical drive, shielding, and mainboard. Label all cables for reassembly.
# '''Desolder capacitors:''' Use solder wick or a pump. SMD capacitors can be removed by gently heating both ends with tweezers or a hot-air station.
# '''Clean pads:''' Remove all old electrolyte residue with isopropyl alcohol and a soft brush. Inspect for corroded traces and repair as needed.
# '''Install new capacitors:''' Observe correct polarity—long lead is positive for through-hole; SMDs are marked with a stripe for negative.
# '''Solder carefully:''' Ensure solid joints and trim excess leads. Avoid overheating nearby components.
# '''Inspect work:''' Check for solder bridges, correct orientation, and clean any flux residue.
# '''Reassemble and test:''' Refit all components, double-check connections, and power up while monitoring for abnormal behaviour.


== 🧰 Recommended Tools & Parts ==
==== Panasonic ETXSE077E1C ====


* '''Temperature-controlled soldering iron''' (fine tip for SMD, chisel for through-hole)
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
* '''Desoldering pump and braid'''
! Value !! Designators
* '''Hot-air rework station or fine tweezers''' (for SMD removal)
|-
* '''Isopropyl alcohol (99%) and antistatic brush'''
| 33 µF 400 V || C005
* '''ESR-capable multimeter''' (optional but recommended)
|-
* '''Lead-free or leaded 0.5–0.8 mm solder'''
| 1200 µF 10 V || C101, C102, C105
* '''High-quality, 105 °C, low-ESR capacitors''' (e.g., Nichicon, Panasonic, Rubycon)
|-
* '''Kapton tape''' (to protect sensitive areas during SMD work)
| 10 µF 50 V || C103
* '''Protective eyewear and ESD precautions'''
|}


== ⚙️ Post-Recap Voltage & Ripple Check ==
==== Fujitsu KS350-1401-H025/01 (first variant) ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 33 µF 400 V || C5
|-
| 4700 µF 10 V || C10
|-
| 2200 µF 16 V || C12
|-
| 330 µF 16 V || C15, C16, C24
|-
| 2200 µF 10 V || C50
|-
| 47 µF 16 V || C72
|}


After reassembly, verify the main voltage rails with a multimeter or oscilloscope:
==== Fujitsu KS350-1401-H025/01 (second variant) ====


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
|+'''Expected Saturn Voltage Rails (measured at mainboard input)'''
! Value !! Designators
! Rail !! Nominal Voltage !! Acceptable Range !! Max Ripple (p-p)
|-
|-
| +5 V || 5.00 V || 4.85 – 5.15 V || < 50 mV
| 22 µF 400 V || C2
|-
|-
| +9 V || 9.00 V || 8.5 – 9.5 V || < 80 mV
| 2700 µF 6.3 V || C9
|-
|-
| +3.3 V || 3.30 V || 3.15 – 3.45 V || < 40 mV
| 1500 µF 6.3 V || C10
|-
|-
| +12 V (if present) || 12.00 V || 11.5 – 12.6 V || < 100 mV
| 33 µF 25 V || C15
|}
|}


''Excessive ripple or out-of-range voltages after recapping may indicate PSU faults or incorrect capacitor installation.''
==== Voltek S-7195 ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 56 µF 400 V || C102
|-
| 47 µF 25 V || C106
|-
| 2200 µF 16 V || C202
|-
| 330 µF 16 V || C203, C207, C210
|-
| 2200 µF 10 V || C205, C206, C209
|}
 
Saturns for 100–120 V mains use a different set again — Fujitsu KS350-1401 variants, Panasonic ETXSE077J1B, Phihong PSM3507, Voltek S-7194, S-7208, S-7218 and 34288/34507/34588 series, and Yamaha XQ155, XQ468, XQ981, XR258 and XS205 — each with its own list.<ref name="c5sat" />
 
== CD-ROM boards ==
 
==== JVC EXL-P604 ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 100 µF 10 V || C102
|-
| 2.2 µF 50 V || C117
|-
| 47 µF 10 V || C118, C120
|-
| 220 µF 6.3 V || C210
|-
| 220 µF 10 V || C306
|}
 
==== JVC EXL-P605 ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 100 µF 10 V || C102
|-
| 47 µF 16 V || C104, C119
|-
| 2.2 µF 50 V || C121
|-
| 220 µF 6.3 V || C210, C307
|}
 
==== JVC ENR-007 B / D ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 47 µF 10 V || C101
|-
| 100 µF 10 V || C106, C230, C509
|-
| 22 µF 16 V || C202
|-
| 4.7 µF 50 V || C211 (rev D)
|-
| 10 µF 25 V || C220
|-
| 220 µF 10 V || C301
|-
| Not fitted || C208
|}
 
==== Hitachi JA00292 ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 22 µF 6.3 V || C501, C502, C504, C506, C623, C701, C712
|-
| 47 µF 16 V || C511
|-
| 47 µF 6.3 V || C609
|-
| 2.2 µF 50 V || C614
|-
| 10 µF 16 V || C615, C626
|-
| 100 µF 6.3 V || C722, C724
|}
 
==== Sanyo CDK94V5SGC ====
 
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:80%;"
! Value !! Designators
|-
| 100 µF 6.3 V || C101, C127, C128, C150, C207
|-
| 10 µF 16 V || C103, C130
|-
| 220 µF 6.3 V || C111
|-
| 330 µF 6.3 V || C114
|-
| 47 µF 10 V || C117
|-
| 0.33 µF 50 V || C119
|-
| 1 µF 50 V || C133, C303
|-
| 4.7 µF 50 V || C153
|-
| 22 µF 16 V || C157
|}
 
== Doing the work ==
 
# Unplug the mains lead. Remove the case screws and the top shell, then the CD compartment lid, the shield plate and the SH-1 board, then the four screws holding the CD drive unit supports and the five holding the main board. The power, power-indicator and R.SW boards come out last, on three, one and two screws respectively.<ref name="satman" />
# Lift the surface-mount electrolytics with hot air or by rocking with two irons. Saturn pads lift easily; do not lever.
# Wash every footprint with isopropyl alcohol and inspect under magnification. Electrolyte that has run under an adjacent part will keep corroding after the capacitor is gone — see [[Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage]].
# Fit 105 °C low-ESR parts at the original value, or the original value with a higher voltage rating. Stripe to the negative end.
# Leave the trimmers on the CD board alone. They are servo adjustments and setting them needs an oscilloscope and a test disc.<ref name="satman" />
 
General tooling is on [[Recommended Tools]]; the symptom-by-symptom picture is on [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]].
 
== After the recap ==
 
* Check '''+5 V''', '''+9 V''' and '''+3.3 V''' at the power connector on the main board.<ref name="satman" />
* With a disc loaded and playing, the RF eye pattern at the RF test point should be '''0.8 to 1.4 Vp-p'''. Below 0.8 Vp-p, Sega's instruction is to replace the pickup.<ref name="satman" />
* A machine that boots, plays an audio CD and runs a game from disc has exercised almost everything the electrolytics sit in.


== 💡 Additional Tips ==
== Related pages ==


* '''Match SMD footprint:''' Use SMD electrolytics or solid polymer types for SMD pads. Do not substitute with tantalum unless experienced.
* [[Sega Saturn (Model 1)]]
* '''Polarity matters:''' Double-check orientation before soldering—incorrect polarity can cause immediate failure.
* [[Sega Saturn (Model 1) Troubleshooting Guide]]
* '''Clean thoroughly:''' Leaked electrolyte is corrosive and conductive—clean all affected areas.
* [[Sega Saturn (Model 1) Maintenance Guide]]
* '''Check for trace damage:''' Saturn boards are prone to pad lift if overheated; use moderate heat and patience.
* [[Sega Saturn (Model 2) Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* '''Recap the PSU:''' Even if the mainboard looks fine, a failing PSU can damage new capacitors and other components.
* [[Capacitor Failure Symptoms]]
* '''Test with a known-good game and controller''' after reassembly to confirm stability.
* [[Recommended Tools]]


== 🔗 Related Pages ==
== References ==
* [[Sega Saturn Troubleshooting Guide]]
<references />
* [[Sega Saturn Optical Drive Maintenance]]
* [[CRT Discharge Procedure]]


[[Category:Sega Consoles]]
[[Category:Sega Maintenance Guides]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]
[[Category:Capacitor Replacement Guides]]
[[Category:Sega Systems]]

Latest revision as of 21:40, 22 September 2026

Sega's circuit board diagram for the 837-11493 VA0 PAL main board. Ceramics carry C numbers; every electrolytic carries a CE number.

The early Sega Saturn main boards use surface-mount aluminium electrolytics, and they leak. This page lists them by board revision, together with the power supply and CD-ROM boards, which are separate assemblies with their own designators.

How Sega numbered the Saturn

[edit | edit source]

On the Saturn, Sega splits the capacitor designators into two series: plain C numbers for ceramic chip capacitors and CE numbers for aluminium electrolytics.[1] Sega's own circuit board diagram for the VA0 PAL board, reproduced here, shows both series side by side, and the VA13 schematics use the same convention.[2]

Two footnotes to that rule, both from Sega's own parts list: CE1, CE2 and CE4 are ceramic 1 µF chip parts fitted in CE-numbered positions, and CE32 is a 10 µF 6.3 V tantalum chip.[1] Neither is part of a normal recap.

The practical consequence: a capacitor list for this machine that gives plain C designators — C1 to C20 at one value, C21 to C30 at the next — is not describing a Saturn. On the real VA0 board C1 to C20 are 0.1 µF ceramics.[1]

Which board do you have?

[edit | edit source]

Saturn board revisions differ in more than layout, so read the silkscreen — it carries both an 837- assembly number and a 171- PCB number, for example "837-11493 IC BD SATURN MAIN VA0 PAL / 171-6963B".

The shell does not reliably tell you which board is inside. If the board in front of you is a through-hole revision, use the other page regardless of which case it came in.

Beyond the main board there are three further assemblies with their own capacitors: the power supply unit, which is a bought-in module and varies by manufacturer and by mains voltage; the CD-ROM board, which likewise came from several suppliers; and the small SH-1 board (838-10834), on which only C121 (47 µF) is fitted — C108 and C122 are empty positions.[3]

The power supply

[edit | edit source]

The Saturn is mains-powered. There is no DC adaptor: the PAL machine (model MK-80200-50) is rated AC 220–240 V, 50/60 Hz, approximately 20 W, and takes a detachable mains lead.[1] Any guide that describes a 9 V or 10 V DC input for this console is describing a different machine.

That means the power supply board carries lethal voltages and stores them. The primary-side bulk capacitor is a 22–56 µF part rated 400 V on 220–240 V units.[3] Before touching the board: unplug the lead, wait, then measure across that capacitor and discharge it through a resistor until it reads near zero. Recapping this board is entirely reasonable work — it is one of the two boards most likely to need it — but do it with the mains lead out and the bulk capacitor proved dead.

The rails it produces are given in Sega's block diagram:[1]

Rail Feeds
+9 V The CD drive, and the PLL
+5 V Everything except the SDRAM
+3.3 V The SDRAM

There is no +12 V rail.

Main board lists

[edit | edit source]

The VA0 PAL list below is the one case where a manufacturer source and a community source can be compared directly: Sega's own electrical parts list for the 837-11493 board and console5's list read off real boards agree position for position, including the PAL-specific values at CE30 and CE54.[1][3] That agreement is the reason to trust the remaining revisions, which console5 documents and Sega's hosted manual does not.

VA0 — 837-11076 (NTSC)

[edit | edit source]
Value Designators
100 µF 6.3 V CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19, CE30
10 µF 16 V CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
4.7 µF 25 V CE22
220 µF 4 V CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
22 µF 6.3 V CE33, CE34
47 µF 6.3 V CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53
330 µF 6.3 V CE45, CE46
1 µF 50 V CE47, CE48
Not fitted CE38

VA0 — 837-11491 / 837-11493 (PAL)

[edit | edit source]
Value Designators
100 µF 6.3 V CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19
10 µF 16 V CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
4.7 µF 25 V CE22
220 µF 4 V CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
220 µF 10 V (6.3 V acceptable) CE30
22 µF 6.3 V CE33, CE34
47 µF 6.3 V CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53
330 µF 6.3 V CE45, CE46
1 µF 50 V CE47, CE48
100 µF 10 V CE54 (PAL boards)
Not fitted CE38

VA0.5 — 837-11493 / 837-11076-02

[edit | edit source]
Value Designators
100 µF 6.3 V CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19
10 µF 16 V CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
4.7 µF 25 V CE22
220 µF 4 V CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
220 µF 10 V (6.3 V acceptable) CE30
22 µF 6.3 V CE33, CE34
47 µF 6.3 V CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53, CE55
330 µF 6.3 V CE45, CE46
1 µF 50 V CE47, CE48

VA1 — 837-11613-01 / 837-11891-01

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Value Designators
100 µF 6.3 V CE3, CE6, CE18, CE19, CE30
10 µF 16 V CE15, CE16, CE20, CE21, CE23, CE31, CE37, CE42, CE52
4.7 µF 25 V CE22
220 µF 4 V CE24, CE25, CE26, CE27, CE28, CE29
22 µF 6 V CE33, CE34
47 µF 6.3 V CE35, CE49, CE50, CE53, CE55
330 µF 6.3 V CE45
220 µF 6.3 V CE46
1 µF 50 V CE47, CE48
47 µF 16 V CE58 (PAL boards)

Note the voltage ratings. CE24 to CE29 are 4 V parts in Sega's own list — that is not a typographical error, and a higher rating in the same footprint is a safe substitution, but do not assume a "standard" 16 V value for those positions.[1]

Power supply boards, 220–240 V

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Identify yours from the label; the manufacturer and model are printed on it.[3]

Panasonic ETXSE077E1C

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Value Designators
33 µF 400 V C005
1200 µF 10 V C101, C102, C105
10 µF 50 V C103

Fujitsu KS350-1401-H025/01 (first variant)

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Value Designators
33 µF 400 V C5
4700 µF 10 V C10
2200 µF 16 V C12
330 µF 16 V C15, C16, C24
2200 µF 10 V C50
47 µF 16 V C72

Fujitsu KS350-1401-H025/01 (second variant)

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Value Designators
22 µF 400 V C2
2700 µF 6.3 V C9
1500 µF 6.3 V C10
33 µF 25 V C15

Voltek S-7195

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Value Designators
56 µF 400 V C102
47 µF 25 V C106
2200 µF 16 V C202
330 µF 16 V C203, C207, C210
2200 µF 10 V C205, C206, C209

Saturns for 100–120 V mains use a different set again — Fujitsu KS350-1401 variants, Panasonic ETXSE077J1B, Phihong PSM3507, Voltek S-7194, S-7208, S-7218 and 34288/34507/34588 series, and Yamaha XQ155, XQ468, XQ981, XR258 and XS205 — each with its own list.[3]

CD-ROM boards

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JVC EXL-P604

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Value Designators
100 µF 10 V C102
2.2 µF 50 V C117
47 µF 10 V C118, C120
220 µF 6.3 V C210
220 µF 10 V C306

JVC EXL-P605

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Value Designators
100 µF 10 V C102
47 µF 16 V C104, C119
2.2 µF 50 V C121
220 µF 6.3 V C210, C307

JVC ENR-007 B / D

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Value Designators
47 µF 10 V C101
100 µF 10 V C106, C230, C509
22 µF 16 V C202
4.7 µF 50 V C211 (rev D)
10 µF 25 V C220
220 µF 10 V C301
Not fitted C208

Hitachi JA00292

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Value Designators
22 µF 6.3 V C501, C502, C504, C506, C623, C701, C712
47 µF 16 V C511
47 µF 6.3 V C609
2.2 µF 50 V C614
10 µF 16 V C615, C626
100 µF 6.3 V C722, C724

Sanyo CDK94V5SGC

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Value Designators
100 µF 6.3 V C101, C127, C128, C150, C207
10 µF 16 V C103, C130
220 µF 6.3 V C111
330 µF 6.3 V C114
47 µF 10 V C117
0.33 µF 50 V C119
1 µF 50 V C133, C303
4.7 µF 50 V C153
22 µF 16 V C157

Doing the work

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  1. Unplug the mains lead. Remove the case screws and the top shell, then the CD compartment lid, the shield plate and the SH-1 board, then the four screws holding the CD drive unit supports and the five holding the main board. The power, power-indicator and R.SW boards come out last, on three, one and two screws respectively.[1]
  2. Lift the surface-mount electrolytics with hot air or by rocking with two irons. Saturn pads lift easily; do not lever.
  3. Wash every footprint with isopropyl alcohol and inspect under magnification. Electrolyte that has run under an adjacent part will keep corroding after the capacitor is gone — see Battery Explosion, Capacitor or Corrosion Damage.
  4. Fit 105 °C low-ESR parts at the original value, or the original value with a higher voltage rating. Stripe to the negative end.
  5. Leave the trimmers on the CD board alone. They are servo adjustments and setting them needs an oscilloscope and a test disc.[1]

General tooling is on Recommended Tools; the symptom-by-symptom picture is on Capacitor Failure Symptoms.

After the recap

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  • Check +5 V, +9 V and +3.3 V at the power connector on the main board.[1]
  • With a disc loaded and playing, the RF eye pattern at the RF test point should be 0.8 to 1.4 Vp-p. Below 0.8 Vp-p, Sega's instruction is to replace the pickup.[1]
  • A machine that boots, plays an audio CD and runs a game from disc has exercised almost everything the electrolytics sit in.
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References

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  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Service Manual — Sega Saturn (PAL), No. 013-1, June 1995 — hosted on this wiki as File:Sega service manual - sega saturn pal - no. 013-1 june 1995.pdf (see Sega Service Manual - Sega Saturn Pal - 1 June 1995). Section 1 gives the ratings, section 5 the disassembly, section 6 the CD drive maintenance and adjustment figures, section 7 the block diagram with the power supply rails, section 9 the circuit board diagrams and section 11-3 the electrical parts list for the VA0 main board.
  2. ↑ Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual (PAL) — hosted on this wiki as File:Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual PAL.pdf (see Sega Saturn VA13 Service Manual (PAL)). A partial scan: block diagram, power supply and CD unit sheets and eleven main-board schematic sheets. It carries no parts list, but its schematics use the same C / CE designator split as the VA0 manual.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 console5 TechWiki, Saturn, https://wiki.console5.com/wiki/Sega_Saturn . Secondary source — per-revision capacitor lists read off real boards, covering VA0 through VA15, the power supply units by manufacturer and model, and the CD-ROM PCBs. Its VA0 PAL list (837-11491 / 837-11493) agrees position for position with the parts list in Sega’s own PAL service manual, including the values at CE30 and CE54 that are specific to PAL boards.
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