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Autor: kowal© Translating: Pap

Modifying Saulabi SPS-3000 Ver A

 

           Saulabi is not a good choice for modification, you ask why? It’s made from cheap materials. But when you examine the box a little more you will be surprised that almost ALL Korean parts fit in it, for example Crown’s. But with a little more effort you can even equip it with some Spanish gear (i.e. iL).

Replacing joystick

First, unscrew the bottom (4 screws). The screw holes are hidden under the rubber stands (which protects the box from slipping around your table. I have chosen the MyoungShin Fanta (low stiffness) joystick but I can also recommend Crown CWL305. My choice was the easiest one and replacing the joystick took me only 2 minutes! The mounting plate of my chosen joystick was the same as in the Saulabi’s one, because both joysticks are from the same producer (but the original one was a Fanta (medium stiffness) model.

Replacing buttons

           You have to unsolder the original buttons from the PCB and after that take them out from the top. The mounting clips in the buttons are very weak and they usually break in peaces when you take them out.

 

           My Saulabi’s box was very scratched so I sanded it with sand-paper and painted it with undercoat for rims (duplicolor’s in-spray is very popular). Then I put on it 3 layers of black varnish and 2 layers of colorless varnish on this all (as always the easiest way to do it is buy a spray can).

           I decided to use PSL-L/CV buttons. You can also mount the OBSN30 or PS-14 GN but there is more work with them and you could damage the thin walls between the holes. Original holes had a 27mm in diameter and the PSL-L/CV buttons have 28mm. To make the wholes wider I used a adjustable holesaw  bought in some of this big shops. It was lying around unused because it was a heavy and unprecise. And when you put it in a power drill it changes in to a fingers-sawing death machine from a movie like “SAW 7”. Well I like my fingers and I do need them, so I widen the holes by hand. The plastic box was tender in the thinner part of the top as well as in the whole box. After a few rotations of my machine and the new buttons could fit in.

Wiring interface

Saulabi was designed for PlayStation2 so I changed the original interface for PC compatibility. I used a MiniPAC (USB version). Another Arcade Stick for my K.O.F. :) For the microswitches terminals (both in PSL-L/CV buttons and in joystick) a 6,4x0,8mm connectors will be good. After getting everything wired screw the bottom to the whole box.

Final effect of my modification :)