SNES:SNES Jr DIY S-RGB Mod

Mitch1256

SNES Mini RGB Mod - Onboard S-RGB Amp

This guide shows you how to enable RGB output on a SNES Mini / Jr using its built-in RGB amp. If you'd like this mod performed for you, you can hire the following services:

Modding Services:

Retrofixes SNES Mini RGB Mod - USA

Voultar's SNES Mini RGB Mod - USA

Parts required:

You'll need a few tools for this mod (more info on the tools can be found in [tools.html the tools section]):

Soldering skills!

SNES RGB cable

The 4.5mm tool that opens the SNES

Philips head screwdriver

Soldering iron / solder

Thin gauge wire

Flux (or a flux pen) will make installation easier, but is not necessary.

Three 75 Ohm resistors, the lowest tolerance possible (also available from Digikey):

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay/MRS25000C7509FRP00

Three 1.2k resistors, the lowest tolerance possible (not available from Digikey):

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/KOA-Speer/MF1-4DCT52R1201F

RGB Mod:

The mod is pretty easy, however soldering to the S-RGB chip can be extremely challenging.  Its usually recommended people use a pre-made amp for ease of installation, however if you're willing to solder to the small points this will work perfectly:

Remove the 4 screws holding the plastic cover on using the 4.5mm tool. Then remove the 7 screws holding the motherboard in place (so, basically, just unbolt everything). Finally, unbolt the three screws holding the heatsink and find the S-RGB chip:

Solder four wires to the pins on the “S-RGB A” chip shown below. A few tips: These are extremely small pins and very difficult for people who aren't experienced at soldering to work on. Use a soldering tip that's extremely thin, as well as very thin solder. Make sure to "tin" each pin and each wire before trying to solder them together:

It's recommended to use heatshrink tubing to keep the wires together and also protect them from touching any other components. Then, run the cables through the hole pictured below on the right:

Then, carefully replace the heatsink. Run the wires under the heatsink, since there's enough room; They touch, but aren't being crushed:

Cut the wires to size, add the 75 Ohm resistors to the RGB lines, then solder them to the corresponding pins on the multi-out.

Next you need to add resistors to the RGB inputs that adjust the brightness.  The mod will work without these resistors, but it's recommended you add them (and it's really easy).  Simply solder three 1.2k resistors between the three holes located directly under pin 10 of the cartridge port and a ground point (flux is a big help for this).  The picture below shows non-conductive tape covering the components under the resistor, however using heatshrink tubing is a better solution overall.  AFTER YOU'RE DONE SOLDERING, FLIP THE MOTHERBOARD OVER AND MAKE SURE TO TRIM THE EXTRA LENGTH!!!!  It's very common to have these touch something on the other side, so make sure you check the length!   Click the picture below for a full-sized example:

Results:

That’s it! A pretty easy mod and the picture quality is amazing!!! Check out the difference from an average SNES 1 to a SNES Mini: