This is a short guide on how to install the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Model switchless region 50/60hz kit which we stock at Retro Upgrades. This guide is meant for both novice and experienced installers who wish to install this kit into their console.
If you wish to get your own kit, please click here.
Preface – Although this kit is compatible with all Mega Drive/Genesis Model 2 consoles, this guide currently only covers a Model 1 PAL VA6 console install. Install points on other MD/Genesis main board revisions may be in different locations depending on the PCB layout. If you’re unsure on the points, you can find the pinout for most variations of the Sega VDP chip online and work from there. We will add more variations from all regions as more consoles pass through our hands.
Please note, this guide is the way we think is the optimal way to install the kit. If you wish to install yours in an different order, that’s perfectly fine!
Sega Mega Drive Model 1 PAL VA6 – 6 wires, 3 trace cuts. Reset button cut is on bottom side of the board. LED is to be connected the same way as in the Mega Drive 2 guide, with the middle LED pad for the common pin. LED can be mounted in place of the original LED in the Mega Drive 1 top shell. Full written guide will be coming soon.
Quick Install Map to help locate install points throughout the guide. Click here for the full size image (opens in a new tab).
Installing the LED.
Install the 3 pin LED onto the provided LED adapter board whilst paying attention to the silkscreen on the board which shows the correct side for installation of the LED. The middle leg of the LED (common) should be placed into the middle pad of the adapter board. Ensure both of the side pins do not touch the middle pad as shown in the center of the picture.
Turn the LED board over and connect the LED wire header to the LED board, ensuring that the notch in the 3 pin header is facing away from the board.
Solder the three exposed wires from the LED board to the following 3 LED pads on the mod board as shown below. The ‘COM’ (center) wire from the LED board should connect to the square ‘LED’ center pad on the mod board. The red and yellow wires can be switched depending on which colour choice you desire per region switch.
Note: If your kit did not include the header & wire, it was purchased prior to inclusion of these parts. However, you can simply solder in three approx. 20cm wires to connect the LED board header pads to the LED mod board pads directly.
Remove the old LED entirely from the top shell of the console and cut away a bit of the plastic so that the new LED can be inserted.
Push the LED which is attached to the adapter board into the hole where the original LED was seated in the top shell of the Mega Drive 1 console.
Use the provided adhesive foam pads to keep the LED adapter board attached to the top shell of the Mega Drive 1 console. You may add some hot glue for added strength, but it isn’t necessary.
Set the LED jumper for the type of LED you are using. Common Cathode = close middle and right (-). Common Anode = close middle and left (+).
The LED adapter board that we supply with the MD1 kits is ‘CC’, so if you are using the supplied LED then it should be the same as pictured in the example below.
Troubleshooting:
Why is the LED not changing colour? LED jumper.
If you’d like to purchase a kit from us, click here.
Thanks to borti4938 for designing the original board.
If you have any suggestions regarding the guide, please feel free to send us an email.