Screen flicker with Lynx GD (RESOLVED)

[mario64]

Just got my Lynx GD today and noticed something weird right away. The screen began to flicker on and off almost as if it had a loose connection. It wasn't constant just intermittent. Thing is, this does not happen with real cartridges. My screen is a McWill LCD installed by McWill himself. Anyone else seeing this?

Edited July 2, 2020 by mario64

[SainT]

10 hours ago, mario64 said:

Just got my Lynx GD today and noticed something weird right away. The screen began to flicker on and off almost as if it had a loose connection. It wasn't constant just intermittent. Thing is, this does not happen with real cartridges. My screen is a McWill LCD installed by McWill himself. Anyone else seeing this?

 

If the cartridge isn't making good connection you will get the "INSERT GAME" screen -- sometimes the connection is such that this screen will flicker. I can only think this is what you are seeing.

 

Otherwise the cart is just as any other game -- it cannot interfere with other hardware.

 

Does the cart boot OK otherwise? Any other issues?

[mario64]

5 hours ago, SainT said:

 

If the cartridge isn't making good connection you will get the "INSERT GAME" screen -- sometimes the connection is such that this screen will flicker. I can only think this is what you are seeing.

 

Otherwise the cart is just as any other game -- it cannot interfere with other hardware.

 

Does the cart boot OK otherwise? Any other issues?

Turns out the problem was my power supply. I was using the official OEM adapter which apparently is insufficient with a McWill screen installed. Changed to an aftermarket one I had and the problem went away

[mario64]

2 hours ago, mario64 said:

Turns out the problem was my power supply. I was using the official OEM adapter which apparently is insufficient with a McWill screen installed. Changed to an aftermarket one I had and the problem went away

Does Lynx GD pull more power than a regular cart?

[SainT]

18 hours ago, mario64 said:

Does Lynx GD pull more power than a regular cart?

Very little -- around 1-2ma more with rough measurements. The McWill screen is considerably more power hungry than the original screen, though, from what I understand, which will be stressing the voltage regulator and PSU more than a stock Lynx.

 

The LynxGD will be more susceptible to low voltage and noisy power supplies than a regular cart as well, as it's far more than just a bit of memory.

Edited July 4, 2020 by SainT

[mario64]

3 hours ago, SainT said:

Very little -- around 1-2ma more with rough measurements. The McWill screen is considerably more power hungry than the original screen, though, from what I understand, which will be stressing the voltage regulator and PSU more than a stock Lynx.

 

The LynxGD will be more susceptible to low voltage and noisy power supplies than a regular cart as well, as it's far more than just a bit of memory.

Ok thanks again. That explains why my aftermarket PSU works better. It’s the premium model from retrogamecave.com

[Axe]

On 7/4/2020 at 2:42 PM, mario64 said:

Ok thanks again. That explains why my aftermarket PSU works better. It’s the premium model from retrogamecave.com

Does anyone know where I can get a more powerful PSU in the UK? I have a McWill fitted Lynx coming and I have the LynxGD also. retrogamecave.com can't tell me when they're able to start shipping to the UK again (although they will at some point) so it could be a long wait.