The Blog

Bob Parker's AnaTek Blue ESR Meter: Assembly and Testing

Nix McRetro // 31st August 2013 // Guides, YouTube

Here are the final steps of assembly and testing of my new Bob Parker Blue ESR meter from AnaTek. It can measure many capacitors for their equivalent series resistance (ESR) while they are still in the circuit! The low test voltage helps keep ordinary semiconductor junctions from conducting during a... Continue reading

Cleaning Game Cartridges with a Pencil Eraser / Rubber

Nix McRetro // 31st August 2013 // Guides, Repairs, YouTube

“Throw out your isopropyl! Pencil erasers are here!” That was my intro to this quick video on cleaning game carts, including Mega Drive/Genesis, NES, SNES and Famicom. An eraser can remove grime, but it is abrasive and can wear thin gold plating. A gentler method appropriate to the particular connector... Continue reading

Dogs 2.0 - Revenge of the Dogs

Nix McRetro // 31st August 2013 // YouTube

You’ve seen them before, they managed to make it into the trailer on the channel, it’s Dogs 2.0. See them in their full feature length video running around, getting pats on the head and shaking hands. Who knows, they might even sit! Continue reading

Burning Out 250mA Fuses in Slow Motion

Nix McRetro // 30th August 2013 // YouTube

Well, my camera isn’t too good at high res slow motion, 320x240 it is! Had these left over from something that was long destroyed, so I figured I might as well blow them up with a power adapter rated for 1100 mA (1.1 A). That rating is the adapter’s available... Continue reading

Console Collection Overview - 28th August 2013

Nix McRetro // 28th August 2013 // News, YouTube

Not too much has changed except I’ve started taking on bucket loads of consoles and some SNES units, not all are here. Oh dear lord, I just remembered there’s Xbox and PS2s somewhere in a box! Chaos ahead! Continue reading