I think I can substantiate what Breetai and CD Ages have said. I have two DCs: a US 9/9/99 launch system and a Japanese pink Sakura Taisen LE DC, which was released in December 2000. I had to have that system's GDROM replaced by a now-defunct import console repairs shop in Canada because at the time, Sega USA would've just given me a replacement US DC in return if I'd sent it to them. (Those twerps.)
EDIT: The problem I started having was that the game would return to the OS screen during gameplay. Eventually, it wouldn't even read discs. Since it was the latest model, it was unable to read burns, so I never bothered using them on it. I was using the boot disc to play Japanese games on my US DC in fall of 2000, but since I was living in Japan then, I went ahead and bought a JP DC. I did play some burned games, but I quickly replaced all of those games with legitimate copies.
No, unfortunately it isn't that easy. The Saturn as well as the Dreamcast VMUs used CR2032s, and they can be found anywhere. One they are used up, they are trashed. The Dreamcast's internal battery is a Panasonic ML2080 or something like that. (2020, 2050... I can't remember exactly what the number is.) This battery is made to recharge itself when the console is turned on, but after several years, it loses it's ability to keep a charge. Any rechargeable lithium ion battery is like that, I suppose. I tried ordering one through Batteries Plus+ once upon a time, but they could not order one for me. I looked for one in Akihabara once, but couldn't find one there, either.
EDIT: I've never seen a rechargeable CR2032 battery before, though. That is pretty cool.
I can only speak from my experience, but both of my Dreamcasts (first gen USA DC and a last gen Japanese DC) both use the ML2080 or whatever they're called. Those are thinner and wider than a CR2032. If mine used CR2032s, that would be great.
jinn wrote:For the dreamcast I been replacing the rechargeable battery with a Vertical Coin Battery Socket. Then I can use LIR2032 battery.
So is this a mod you did yourself? This would be awesome to have.
greg wrote:I can only speak from my experience, but both of my Dreamcasts (first gen USA DC and a last gen Japanese DC) both use the ML2080 or whatever they're called. Those are thinner and wider than a CR2032. If mine used CR2032s, that would be great.
As long as the output voltage is similar it probably doesn't matter much. Wire in a diode or something if you need to reduce the voltage. Many coin cell batteries are pretty similar, with the primary distinction being capacity and form factor.
greg wrote:No, unfortunately it isn't that easy. The Saturn as well as the Dreamcast VMUs used CR2032s, and they can be found anywhere. One they are used up, they are trashed. The Dreamcast's internal battery... is made to recharge itself when the console is turned on, but after several years, it loses it's ability to keep a charge. Any rechargeable lithium ion battery is like that, I suppose.
EDIT: I've never seen a rechargeable CR2032 battery before, though. That is pretty cool.
CR2032 batteries are LiON and do exhibit said rechargeable properties. My Saturn battery, PC mobo/clock battery, and GB SRAM batteries behave like this.
Technically, even non-rechargeable batteries can be recharged... but only in small bursts and even that is very risky.
My scheduling skills have died of dysentery; I hope to visit at least on a monthly basis. Still, don't forget to tip your waitress.
