Portable N64 design, need input.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 4:18 pm

I nether have a jigsaw or am steady enough to dremel for something like that

Gump-in-space · Post by **Gump-in-space** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:21 am

A good way to get a cheap case like the one you're looking for is buying an old IBM thinkpad 360.

Post by **marshallh** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:33 pm

I'd suggest using all plastic if you can. Unless you have access to the right tools, metal work is a pain if not outright impossible.

I'd also suggest ditching the AA batteries. Why? They suck for high-drain applications. The N64 portable is a high-drain application. Don't use AAs. Got it?

The AAs work fine for slow dishcharging, but when you suck power from them, you get a huge voltage drop, and don't get the full capacity out of them.

Instead, use beefier batteries (perhaps Sub-C cells like R/C car packs, go to towerhobbies.com) or use a DVD player battery.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 5:43 pm

I plan to make my own case, not take cheap shortcuts. So buying a laptop (with would not be logical anyways seeing as it has all its old holes for the keyboard and such) is out of the question.

Just looked through towerhobbies, the only batteries I saw that would were were a bit big. And I dont like the idea of useing AAs, but from my *inexperienced* searchings the better ones were always too big.

Would a car adapter still transform power correctly if I were to use a 9.6v RC battery? If so I could use that.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:34 pm

droke

maybe you havent seen some of gforce or Triton's work, but with some bondo and extra plastic, you can pretty well turn anything into anything else. if you do it right it looks like it was made in a factory.

a lithium battery would be much smaller and less dense. they hold about 3 times more energy than other batteries. they are pretty dangerous though, if you dont handle them properly.

you can get free dc-dc converters

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:37 am

True, didn't think about that. But I just rather make the case from scratch rather then adapting a laptop's hull

And I happen to already have car adapters that convert to what I need, so why get something else? I'm not trying to sound like I'm ignoring what is said, actualy I appreciate it, I just would prefer to find a 12v battery with the power I need rather then getting all new DC-DC adapters.

But for now I just need to wait til my screen gets here, and I get another N64. Until then I'll brainstorm, which means I will probabily be coming up with some wierd ideas to ask...

Krepticor · Post by **Krepticor** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:12 am

I ahve a suggestion... IF you are going for the laptop look and feel, then why not adapt a Doctor V64?

This way it will be the most versitile N64p and all, also It would flow very well with the laptop design...

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:29 am

you would be better off with a 7.2 or 7.4v battery. car adapter would probably still work off of that.

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:12 pm

Actualy I'm aimed more at a portable DVD player look and feal.

I have to stay abou 9Vs or so for the screen, but If 9.6 would work with my car adapters then eveything thing should work out

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:48 pm

well if you have 9.6v, then you only need one dc-dc.. but you said "adapterS". how many do you have?

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 5:14 pm

One to handle my n64 and one is comeing with the DVD layer im taking the screen from. The screen takes 9 volts I believe, and since it comes with a car adapter I was planning to use that.

sammy · Post by **sammy** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:00 pm

If your still interested in using aluminium I can give you some tips. My current case is aluminium and I think it looks sorta ok. My dad learned me a lot about working with aluminium so I know a thing or two about it. Check out my site to see some pics
http://www.freewebs.com/sammy_games/seg ... rtable.htm

If you'd like me to, I'll give you some more information about it...

Droke · Post by **Droke** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:10 pm

I want to make the case from aluminum, so information would be rather helpful

(I added you to MSNM, figured it would easiest.)

Krepticor · Post by **Krepticor** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:12 am

first off unless you know someone who knows how to weld and has a high frequency rig...forget it

Aluminum is tough to work with otherwise, you would have to calculate room for screws and bolts and such (and thye could possibly make it very ugly)

So Working with plastic would be your best bet

Did you consider the Dr. V64?

ATOMICMAN · Post by **ATOMICMAN** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 12:33 pm

Krepticor wrote:first off unless you know someone who knows how to weld and has a high frequency rig...forget it

Aluminum is tough to work with otherwise, you would have to calculate room for screws and bolts and such (and thye could possibly make it very ugly)

So Working with plastic would be your best bet

Did you consider the Dr. V64?

if he uses fiberglass over aluminium he really wouldnt have to weld. the fiberglass should keep it together and good metal adhesive or bondo will offer additional hold and keep the shape while you put the glass over it. the only issue he would have is cutting the metal but a hack saw and a power drill should do fine and the edges will get covered the edges that dont you cover you can file down to make it smooth and even. the bottom you would need accessable maybe with screws but the other parts shouldnt be to hard cept for figuring out the hinging of the screen.