first build questions (switches, batteries, etc.)

[monster]

tore open my N64 controller and to my horror i saw that nintendo used those evil trace/switch thingies, since it would be so much easier to simply hot glue the heck out of an actual switch (I'm thinking of using the ones that click) and then solder the leads back to the board, would that work?

what switches should i use?

what is the "ext." connector on the bottom of the console used for?

can i buy a replacement joystick for the N64 controller? the controller that came with the console has a joystick that's shot to (excrement) and i liked the silky smooth action on my controller right when i took it out of the box (new). thats right, i spent $150 on a new one, sold it for $30, then bought a new one for $21.74 today. and thats not counting whatever i spent on game rentals and purchases.

also, what IC's should i heatsink before putting the whole thing together?

what screen should i use? i'm thinking of using the PS1 screen thing i can get at the big WM, but if someone knows of a better screen to use, please tel me.

be prepared for a post asking how to take out the CCFL's out of a LCD screen and put in LED's. theres more acronyms there than all the rappers at the source awards put together.

[SpongeBuell]

what screen should i use? i'm thinking of using the PS1 screen thing i can get at the big WM, but if someone knows of a better screen to use, please tel me.

PSOne screens are the best. I'd try Toys R Us, though. If it's in stock, it'll be very cheap, likely $35 or less

[nos_slived]

What is the "ext." connector on the bottom of the console used for?

It was used for backup devices like the CD64, DD64, and DoctorV64. These were mostly sold in Asia, but some have been modded to work on US, Australian, and European systems. It is basically an inverted cart slot, because the pins from the cart slot go through and connect to the mobo by using the pins of the EXTENSION SLOT.

Can i buy a replacement joystick for the N64 controller?

I don't think you can get a replacement for the joystick, but any joystick that uses an LED and 2 LDRs would work.

What IC's should i heatsink before putting the whole thing together?

To be safe, you should heatsink all the ICs and the screen(if it gets hot).

What screen should i use?

Use either the PS1 screen, portable TV screen, or a HipGear controller screen. HipGear controllers are usually as low as $25 in eastern Canada and eastern USA. Also, if you use the HipGear, you get an extra controller for another system(GCN, XBOX, or PS2).

How do you take the CCFL's out of a LCD screen and put in LED's?

Read http://www.doomportables.org/video.php#backlight(Be sure to read the notes at the bottom of the artical).

[SpongeBuell]

What is the "ext." connector on the bottom of the console used for?

Rumble Paks, Controller Paks(for Game Saves), and Transfer Paks(for transferring stuff from GB games for stuff like Pokemon Stadium).

Shoot, I missed that question. He's talking about the port on the bottom of the N64 unit, not the controller. As for its use: nothing you'll be using. There have been some add ons in Asia for things like a cd drive, but they're pretty rare.

[goodie]

What is the "ext." connector on the bottom of the console used for?

Rumble Paks, Controller Paks(for Game Saves), and Transfer Paks(for transferring stuff from GB games for stuff like Pokemon Stadium).

I think he meant the connector on the bottom of the console itself, which was for the Japan-only CD drive.
EDIT: Looks like Spongebuell beat me to it.

[nos_slived]

Yea I noticed that just now. I will change my post now.

[vskid]

You can get replacement joysticks on ebay for a few bucks.

[monster]

what screen should i use? i'm thinking of using the PS1 screen thing i can get at the big WM, but if someone knows of a better screen to use, please tel me.

PSOne screens are the best. I'd try Toys R Us, though. If it's in stock, it'll be very cheap, likely $35 or less

sweet, PS1 screen it is then.

has anyone ever worked with tact switches before (those are the clicky ones, right?) and could make a reccomendation?

still no reccomendations on batteries? i've been told about some Ni-Mh batteries that charge in 15 minutes, and i was originally thinking Li-Ion batteries, but the most i've found are 2.4 Ah cell phone batteries. what did Ben use for batteries? how long do they last?

[nos_slived]

has anyone ever worked with tact switches before (those are the clicky ones, right?) and could make a reccomendation?

still no reccomendations on batteries? i've been told about some Ni-Mh batteries that charge in 15 minutes, and i was originally thinking Li-Ion batteries, but the most i've found are 2.4 Ah cell phone batteries. what did Ben use for batteries? how long do they last?

I have never used tact switches, but Goodie is planning on using them for his NESp.

For batteries, read the doomportables batteries page. Nickel Metal Hydrates(Ni-MHs) are good, but remember that for your 12V line, you will need 10 (10 X 1.2 = 12V), instead of 8 (8 X 1.5 = 12V), like most other batteries. The ones that you heard of with the 15 minute charger are probably energizers, which only go up to 2500mAH. Li-Ions are good batteries, but usually have a capacity of 1-2AH. I have never personally seen them as high as 2400mAH. The best part of using these batteries is that if you take them off of a cell phone that you don't use, you already have a charger.

[monster]

what batteries have other P64's used? (thats the title i'm going with)

.:EDIT:. are N64 controllers only double sided PCB's? i need to mod a controller to fit in the case, i think i'm going to go with this design:
(sorry about the hugeness)

to get that design it looks like i'd need to hack a controller, but if it is a multi layered PCB (> 3 layers) i couldn't do it, if it is only double sided i could seriously reduce the size of the PCB (god i love dremels!!!). also, what color scheme do you think i should go with?

.:EDIT #2:. where do you guys find PS1 screens? froogle can't find any, no local stores carry them (except for Toys 'R' Us but they are out of stock). please provide a link to wherever you get yours.

sorry if i sound like a whiny n00b, it's just because i am

[vskid]

Check ebay for psone screens. If you wait you can find some cheap. And for 4 replacement joysticks it is about $20 including ship. They are usually only in 4 packs in ebay stores. It is cheaper to get 4 so if you build multiple portables you will need them.

Edit: Also check used game or pawn shops for screens.

[Triton]

I am truly honored! thanks for liking my desing so much. you dont really need to hack the board just ssolder to it and run wires to the buttons if you want

[monster]

i am going to mod your design a little bit, the D-pad will be above the joystick, and the L shoulder button and the Z trigger will be on the left side, with the L on top (like the playstation controllers) while the R shoulder button will be all by its lonesome on the right side. i will do this because i like to use cheat codes after i finish the game fairly.

its a really cool design too.

i hope i can fit the controller inside the case unmolested, i love dremels and all, but i didn't want to risk breaking it.

[Xboxer64]

yeah this is my first build too and I wanna know if I should use heat sink Grease http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?c ... d=276-1372 for attaching the new heatsinks.

[monster]

unless you have something else holding the heatsink down i would use thermal epoxy, it does the same stuff that the grease does, but it also bonds to the chip.

thats stuff from rat shack is silicone based, use something from arctic silver (the higher the version the better, e.g. Arctic silver 3 is better than 2).

does anyone reccomend a particular heatsink? if no one helps i think i'll just get the lowest profile copper ones from Digi-key and dremel them to fit