GBC Mods

[boxerorange]

Hey guys, as a special gift for someone I wanted to mod a GBC with...

1) A back (or front) light. (I read somewhere on here that backlights aren't possible...?)
2) A rechargeable battery (along the lines of the GBA SP & DS)

Before I go off buying a GBC, I just wanted to verify that these are possible and easy to do. Most of the mods appear to require an SP for the frontlight, I am also wondering if there are other places to get them. Same with the rechargeable battery.

[minigodzila]

No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>

[Pkmnjunky7]

No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>

Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...

[boxerorange]

So...you can backlight a Gameboy Pocket, but not a color?
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... it=gameboy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's weird.

[iHackedit]

So...you can backlight a Gameboy Pocket, but not a color?
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... it=gameboy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's weird.

Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.

[boxerorange]

Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.

Does that mean the color aspect is what makes it impossible to backlight?

[Biased]

Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.

Does that mean the color aspect is what makes it impossible to backlight?

Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.

[boxerorange]

Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.

I understand that, I'm just trying to figure out why you can do it to the Gameboy Pocket but not the Color.

[hailrazer]

Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.

I understand that, I'm just trying to figure out why you can do it to the Gameboy Pocket but not the Color.

Different types of screens. Some screens allow light to shine from the back. Some screens were designed where light is reflected from the front to achieve brightness.

[boxerorange]

Ok, I am now looking to get a frontlight and battery.

From what I've gathered on other posts, you can use the battery from the Gameboy Advance SP.
Is there a better battery I could use, or will this one give ample battery life?

EDIT: Another quick question. I'm guessing it would be safe to wash the plastic parts (obviously nothing electric), and, as long as they are completely dry, put it back together; I just wanted to verify that this won't damage it and/or if there would be a better way to clean it.

[Biased]

Whenever I take apart electronics like my PSP or 360 controllers, I get a toothpick, q-tips, cotton balls, and rubbing alcohol. It dries quickly and gets everything nice and clean.

[Kodi3]

No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>

Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...

Would this be a relatively easy project? Comparable to the front light mod. I dont have any knowledge on circuitry or anything, but if its easy enough I would like to give it a go.

[Kodi3]

No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>

Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...

Would this be a relatively easy project? Comparable to the front light mod. I dont have any knowledge on circuitry or anything, but if its easy enough I would like to give it a go.