playsixty-four: the retroish duo

[bacteria]

You are right to anticipate problems.

When I did my first proper portable (although it needed mains as I didn't have a TI regulator then), the (now broken apart) Nintendo 64 Advance, I came across massive issues getting the GBA to work with the N64 system. There was no power going to the N64, yet, pressing any buttons on the GBA didn't work. The N64 was stopping the connections working on the other system, presumably from the groundings or the N64 controller traces, or whatever. Bottom line is the only way to make the two systems work was to keep the grounds and button connections entirely separate.

Whilst I made the home-made button switches, which worked ok but were subject to making them properly so they last for a while; a far far better solution would be to have each connection connected to a switch. That means a large bank of switches, as each button will need to be separate, obviously one ground for each should be ok; might seem overkill but necessary and will certainly work.

So, switches for such:

N64: ... C↑...C↓...C←...C→...Start...Lshoulder...Rshoulder...4 d-pad buttons...Ground
Psone: ... ( the 4 buttons )...Start...Lshoulder...Rshoulder...4 d-pad buttons...Ground

That means 6 x 2P2T switches. You also need a 7th to change power between the N64 and the PSone. (I presume you are using the PS1 case for the project, but using PSone guts as smaller, only one power requirement, etc)? Some people refer to using IC switches for multiple switches, although I can't identify what is needed - I am sure Rekarp knows?

The A, B buttons on the N64; and the other two shoulder buttons on the PSone as well as the joysticks are fine as they don't conflict.

You will certainly need a fan in the system; and not sure if the original PS1 case you are using is fat enough - might be, I am sure you have looked into that.

[XCVG]

There's a place with some really big switches, like 12PDT big. Let me see if I can find it.

Edit: They have them up to 8 pole, so you'll need 2. http://www.opamp-electronics.com/catalo ... -1154.html

[PureAwsomeness]

Update!:

Well actually I geuss its not much of an update but i got my ti regulator and wired it up:



I know its huge but the case im planning on using is big too.
this project is not dead yet!

also what is the easyest way to wire a cartrage slot?
should I use the moose dude's tecnique?(im not good at soldering at all )

[XCVG]

My technique was to make some brackets and mount the slot then rewire with solid wire.

[PureAwsomeness]

i got these 2 batteries for like 2 bucks.
they are NIMH with 3.6v 2700mAH each
here they are: http://www.needbattery.com/searchView/3 ... efx=FR00GX" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

as you might be able to see, there is 3 leads to it; +,-, and T
this is probably a noobish question but can i just hook up leads to + and - or do i have to do something to the T too?
thank u

[XCVG]

Those won't work. Well they will, but you'll only be able to play for about half an hour.

[PureAwsomeness]

why is that?
together they will be 7.2 v and like 5 amp hours

[jjhammerstein]

You don't add amps AND voltage.
If you wire them in parallel, you add amps.
If you wire them in series, you add volts.

[PureAwsomeness]

dang it i need a cheap battery really bad
(and by cheap i mean like CHEAP!)(i have like no money right now)
oh well...

[mikeyg]

dang it i need a cheap battery really bad
(and by cheap i mean like CHEAP!)(i have like no money right now)
oh well...

I'm in the same boat as you. I like how this is coming along. It seems like a great idea. Can't wait to see how it actually works...

[jjhammerstein]

http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-7-4v-4000mAh-15C ... 240%3A1318" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't forget charging circuit!

[archie03]

you should call it "Station 64"... kinda cool science fictiony name... or not...