Portable N64 design, need input.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 11:59 am

This is the pn64 I am planning to make, you can see where I got the basic consept for the case. Anyways, I have a lot of planned out, and though I don't have the parts yet, I am needing sugestions on how to improve it (Or if an idea wont work). I am willing to learn how to do something I dont already know, so tell me whats best, not whats easiest. (Well, within reason.)

It will be in a fiberglass case, the base will be aluminum, and that green thing is simi-transparent plastic thats lit from the bottom. (Still have to research the fiberglass to see if thats what I really want.)

Both the screen and N64 will be powered with a 8 AA battery pack, with correct converters ofcorse, and will have a jack for both car and wall power. (Both 12v so it simply connects instead of the batteries.) The screen is gonna be a 7" LCD from a DVD player, speakers will probabily be from it too. (The grey things next the the screen are speakers)

You can see the RCA jacks on the side, plus 2 earphone jacks. Cartridge sideloads. The switch next to the screen will control if it outputs the to screen or RCA jacks. Power switch is on the top. Controler ports are on the front with LEDs that will light up when they are connected, a airvent is also on the front. Back has a fan to pull air over the mother board's heatsinks to assure that is doesnt overheat. The indintation there is where the battery door will be. Next to the earphone jacks on top is the volume control.

Things I havent added to my model yet is another RCA jack for input, and a switch so I can turn of the n64 part and use the screen like a portable tv.

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:06 pm

everything seems like it would be great.

one extra note though. i would try to use a rc car battery as they have longer life and are easier to use (though hard to make room for).

also fiberglass is not the easiest to work with when you are making a shape like this. maybe build the whole case out of metal and use the fiberglass or carbon fiber for accents?

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:08 pm

I dont have the tools to deal with metal, though I would much prefer it... My dad thinks that its the most logical thing to use. If you have any tips on how to do metal though, I would love to hear it

Edit: Was just looking at radioshack, the highest RC battery I could find was a 9.6v. But I did find a 8 pack of AA batteries with 2700 mAh, that good? Or does someone know a better place to get a 12v battery (or AAs with a longer life.)

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:21 pm

aluminum is pretty easy to work with and can be shaped pretty easily without expensive tools.

you might have to build something to bend it (like a wood frame with a couple of hinges) to make even and accurate shapes (basically looks like two doors that bend in the middle).

you can use fiberglass to cover whatever you want on it to give it a truely unique look.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:35 pm

Ah, I had heard that bending the aluminum would crack it...

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:43 pm

depends on how thick it is.

lighter sheet wont have any trouble bending and should be strong enough to make a case like that as long as you dont plan on sitting on it or something.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:54 pm

Oh, did I mention that it was gonna be a chair too? j/k

How thich should I use? And how should I make it connect tightly when the ends connect? Or should I do a general frame with it then put fiberglass?

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:01 pm

i cant say for sure how thick last time i did something like this was a few years ago when i was making a case for a high voltage p/s.

if you got a local supplier ask one of them what gauge would be ok to bend 90 degrees (maybe 18 gauge?).

i would build the basic case then cover the edges and whatnot in fiberglass but still leaving some exposed metal for looks.

even normal sheet metal could work but i dont know how well you could get fiberglass to bond to it...

aluminium is nice cuz its great when heat is an issue.

Rellizate · Post by **Rellizate** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 1:16 pm

Looks like a cool design. The place where the keyboard would go on a normal laptop is a bit empty; try putting a big logo there. Fiberglass is not the best way to go for the case btw.

What did you design that on?

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:29 pm

I made it. Electronics isn't my only hobby

That green thing is the logo, I dont want it smack in the center. I did think it was a bid plane, but I desided that I prefered it over my other ideas. I might add a window to the cartridge though, shows what game is in.

I like the aluminum/fiberglass idea, but why is fiberglass bad?

Rellizate · Post by **Rellizate** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:35 pm

I know you made it, but on what program?!

In my experiences, I have found fibreglass hard to work with. It also breaks easily. Your best bet is alimium, with MAYBE a fibre glass inside coating.

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:38 pm

pure fiberglass would not be easy to make into a case like that. you would need a good mold and stuff to finish it with. i dont think you will get the look youre trying to get out of it by using fiberglass alone.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 2:52 pm

I used Cinema 4d to model it, with a quick constrast/sharpness change in Paint Shop Pro.

Sorry, let me refrase that question, is there anything wrong in useing it in the aluminum/fiberglass cross?

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:09 pm

Droke wrote:I used Cinema 4d to model it, with a quick constrast/sharpness change in Paint Shop Pro.

Sorry, let me refrase that question, is there anything wrong in useing it in the aluminum/fiberglass cross?

i dont think so, i think it would look cool actually.

Post by **CronoTriggerfan** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 3:51 pm

That concept looks very nice cosmetically. As for your aluminum dilemma, may I suggest just forming one out of sheet plastic? You can buy large sheets of lexan at Home Depot for VERY cheap, just cut 'em out with a jigsaw, or if your're ambitious, a dremel, and sand/form your case. Sand it and throw on a coat of paint, and you're gold!

CTFan