How do you get around the 12 volt problem?

Post by **benheck** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:36 pm

I have been working on a GCp, not hard-core, but got a little stumped.

It appears the 12 volts is mainly to make the audio work - everything else runs with much less. You can apply a lower voltage to the 12 volt spot (or omit it) but then the audio is wanky.

Any suggestions? Respond here or email (not IM) me.

-Ben

Klefmung · Post by **Klefmung** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:45 pm

Well, the GC might have to amplify the audio, so follow the audio trace to find that. If so, try to amp it using a different amp, and then run it to your speakers.

atari2600a · Post by **atari2600a** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:49 pm

Are you comparing the knowledge of our all-mighty overlord-master to following traces to an amp!?

Klefmung · Post by **Klefmung** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:56 pm

I have never said this to another member of benheck, but now's the time.

SHUT THE HELL UP!

Post by **gannon** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 2:57 pm

Yes, and your post doesn't help at all atari2600a
Anyways, if you can't find how to make the 12V line function on a lower voltage, but you want to use a smaller battery, you could always use a boosting switching regulator.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:00 pm

indeed, it might be easier to just use a swithcing regulator in the first place. TI (www.ti.com) makes a bunch of "plug in power modules" that you can get free samples of.

you have to match them to the output current for max efficiency.

the best looking one i can find quickly is the PT5041. hooks up exactly like a 7805 except it steps 4.5-11v up to 12v

Post by **Skyone** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:09 pm

atari2600a wrote:Are you comparing the knowledge of our all-mighty overlord-master to following traces to an amp!?

You're realllly pushing it, dude.

Ben, do you happen to know the draw of that line? You can of course use a step-up converter to get ~6v to 12v.

Here's one that accepts ~5v and up to 1A output, with ~90% efficiency (at 6v, 1A):

http://focus.ti.com/docs/prod/folders/print/pt5041.html

I can't think of anything else,

-Skyler

EDIT: WOW! They all beat me to it.

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:58 pm

I have no idea I just used some thin li-polys to keep the size down a little bit. Your probably gonna sell it though and dont wanna have to charge extra for the batteries, protection circuit, and charger, right?

why not just use a step-up like you did on the MVSp

I really hope you do find a wicked solution to this though other than a step-up, it definitly would make it easier to have a smaller GCp

Good luck Ben

Post by **benheck** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:33 pm

Seems like I tried a step-up and it didn't work. But it probably was just one I had laying around.

I'm just wondering what other people have done to make GCp power supplies.

-Ben

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 9:38 pm

benheck wrote:Seems like I tried a step-up and it didn't work. But it probably was just one I had laying around.

I'm just wondering what other people have done to make GCp power supplies.

-Ben

both of mine have just ran off of 14.4 volts, and I think it is the same for every other one ~12-16 volts

Post by **CronoTriggerfan** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 11:03 pm

benheck wrote:Seems like I tried a step-up and it didn't work. But it probably was just one I had laying around.

I'm just wondering what other people have done to make GCp power supplies.

-Ben

Yeah, most of us just go the 12-16v battery route. I know mine did. As Turbo said, if it's size you're worried about, you could always just try out some li-polies. In all actuality, I don't even think anyone here has even tried stepping the voltage down.

How bad is the sound signal when it's run off of a lesser voltage? Perhaps you could use a combination of an audio amp and some higher quality speakers to fix the problem; doubt it, but it's worth a shot!

Good luck!

CTFan

Post by **benheck** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:56 am

Oh you all used 12 volts? I guess that would do it... but I'm trying to make mine REALLY small.

If you run no voltage to the 12 spot there's no sound. Lower voltage, like 7, makes audio but it seems limited, that is, cuts off like an overmodulated cheap speaker.

-Ben

Post by **Gamelver** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:51 am

As far as I know, the Gamecube needs 12V for the sound. There may be a way around it, but you'll probably have to figure out the whole amp circuit. I always just used Li-poly batteries, so they were still pretty small and they powered the 'cube

. I'd say a step-up converter that can actually handle the audio's draw should work. If you're going to be using a completely separate amp, you'll have to make sure you know where the input of the amp on the GC mobo is....but that shouldn't be a problem for the almighty Ben, of course

.

jeroen · Post by **jeroen** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 10:54 am

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm gamecube portable. Maybe if I search....................