Difference between revisions of "Lynx"

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Revision as of 01:23, 24 June 2019

Atari Lynx logo black.png

The Lynx is a 16-bit handheld game console that was released by Atari Corporation in September 1989 in North America, and in Europe and Japan in 1990. It was the world's first handheld electronic game with a colour LCD. It was also notable for its advanced graphics and ambidextrous layout. The Lynx competed with the Game Boy (released two months earlier), as well as the Game Gear and TurboExpress, both released the following year. It was discontinued in 1995.

Revisions

Repairs

5v Regulator

This is a common fault with ageing Atari Lynx.

The Lynx has a built-in switching regulator circuit that converts the 9V from batteries or AC into 5V for the system to use. There are few key components that make this circuit work, including a MOSFET (Q12 on Lynx II, Q11 on Lynx I), and a Zener diode (D13 on Lynx II, ZD1 on Lynx I). When the MOSFET fails, typically your Lynx won’t power up. That’s why the headphone ground trick works to bypass it temporarily. When the Zener diode fails, the power supply circuit loses its voltage “reference” and lets 9V go right on through the system, causing other components to fail.

Parts list

(WIP)

Zener Diode - 1N5991B

MOSFET - 2SK2231

Instructions

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/254446-lynx-power-circuit-upgraderepair-better-than-5v-mod/

Kits

Voltage regulator rebuild kit from Console5.com. (ordered 4/9/18, will update when fitted)

  • Parts include:
    • New Zener diode
    • MOSFET IC - the usual culprit for no-power-on conditions
    • Two 3906 transistors - another culprit for no-power-on conditions
    • Power jack - these have internal switches that can fail, causing a Lynx to work on battery or DC power only

The difference between the two kits is the type of Zener diode. The Lynx 1 has a leaded diode, the Lynx 2 has a surface mount diode.

  • Lynx 1 component locations:
    • ZD1: Zener diode
    • Q4, Q13: 3906 transistors
    • Q11: MOSFET
    • R74: 30 Ohm replacement resistor, not needed for all Lynx units. This increases regulator circuit voltage slightly for picky Lynx units that need a few more tenths of a volt to work.
  • Lynx 2 component locations:
    • D13: Zener diode (installed with stripe towards R74 / TP19)
    • Q7, Q8: 3906 transistors
    • Q12: MOSFET
    • R74: 30 Ohm replacement resistor, not needed for all Lynx units. This increases regulator circuit voltage slightly for picky Lynx units that need a few more tenths of a volt to work.

Replace capacitors

Parts list

Capacitors
Quantity Capacitance Max Voltage
4 47uf 6.3v
4 10uf 6.3v
4 1uf 50v
2 220uf 6.3v
2 10uf 35v
2 2.2uf 63v
1 470uf 10v
1 100uf 35v

Mods

McWill's Lynx LCD Mod

McWill Lynx LCD Mod Front.JPG McWill Lynx LCD Mod Back.JPG


Tests and comparisons of McWill's Lynx LCD Mod can be found at the RetroRGB website.

GadgetUK164 fitting and reviewing McWill's Lynx LCD Mod
VectrexRoli reviewing McWill's Lynx LCD Mod

Ordered by emailing McWill directly order-lynx-lcd@online.de click here

Flash carts

SainT's LynxSD

LynxSD

GadgetUK164 reviewing SainT's LynxSD

Pre-ordered by messaging SainT at AtariAge Forums