This post marks the beginning of a new portable!

Gordon1 · Post by **Gordon1** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:26 pm

SO, since I am done my ps1p/ playmad knock off I am embarking in a new realm (which is the N64). Personally I am not an N64 kind of guy but there is no chance in hell I will be building another ps1p anytime soon, plus I like golden eye). So to start this potential build thread (I might be too lazy) I will just post some deals on some starting materials I got for the project.

so since I read the N64's like to die, I won this auction Linky Linky plus I have another one I bought at value village for $8

As for a screen I happened to score 3 ps1 screens and like 8 rechargeable packs for the ps1 (hackable into a n64) for like $55, I toasted one, I tried to do the glare film removal mod and accidentally removed the polarizer. In my defense, the site was down and I could not get to the post on how to do it. I plan on using RGB cause composite sucks

For a controller I got this sweet nintendo brand one with the $8 n64 complete with bite marks and all (I will probably post a picture of the bite marks because it is just to damn funny not to post). I want to do the joy stick mod (gamecube/ any other analog (within reason)) but It has come to my understanding that that is onyl 3rd party applicable, is this true?

The case I am still not really sure, I really want to use another POLYCASE brand ZN-40 click here but I am not sure if I can cram it all into there.

Batteries are an iffy thing. I have these 8 packs but they are just over sized AAs and well, they suck so I will probably look for another bt41/2 because it worked so well in my ps1 and in the L64 (the beautiful creation of mashallh) link to his usage of the battery click

For heat sinks I bought a knock off of the CL-C0026 (the ones Bacteria used on his combined portable). These sinks are the same dimensions but were dirt cheap ($16) for 18. Here is a link clicky clicky. Note I contacted the seller and asked for only the straight up and down ones (for obvious reasons) and he complied wonderfully.

The fan I had in mind is this clicky clicky But I'm not sure if it will move enough air (1.2cfm) does anybody know if that will be enough?

For a 3.3v converter I will *attempt* to use the Ti PTH08080, does anybody know what resistor to use? and will this thing be able to supply enough current?

I'm sure I am forgetting tons of stuff. Please give me any suggestions you might have, as it will be much appreciated.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:11 am

Nice find on the N64 lot - that should come in handy if something bad happens.

As for the fan, the auction says 1.20 CFM. I don't remember - does that mean cubic feet per minute?

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:37 am

Gordon1 - Good, looks like you have done preparations, which is crucial.

Looks like you got a good deal on some of the stuff, including the heatsinks. I recently bought more, from Maplins, about Â£5 for 8, so I bought two packs.

The resistor for the TI card - 2k2 ohm. Yes, it works fine. You need between 2.9v - 3.9v for the N64 - using s 2k2 ohm resistor will give you about 3.12v which is fine. If you want, you can instead experiment with 1k8, 2k, 2.4k ohm resistors as alternatives.

Keep the thread going with regular updates and pics as people (including me) like to see progress documentation (which is why I do it), but keep them relevant, not spam.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:45 am

I dunno if Id tell him its ok to put 3.9v in there. Thats a new number to me, has anyone tried? You are best off using an adjustable resistor or aiming low for the voltage (ie 2k).

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:27 am

As I recall, boards fry over 4v or 4.5v depending on the board and luck, 3.x volts is fine. There have been postings from members about this in the past. As per my previous posting, if you use a 2k2 ohm resistor you will get about 3.12v or thereabouts which is perfectly fine. It is best to err to safety anyway, so go for 3.1v - 3.4v, after all, mobos do have variation and some are more likely to fry than others.

PS - in your e-bay purchase for the N64's, there are no jumper packs or expansion packs; your N64's will not work without one or the other - but then, you know that, right?

Gordon1 · Post by **Gordon1** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:25 pm

Life of Brian - Yes it means cubic feet per minute

Bacteria - Thanks a lot, I searched all over this forum but I could only find a diagram for the 7800 (well something like that) do you think one 08080 will be able to supply enough amperage? and as for the jumper/ expansion packs, the $8 came with an jumper so as long as I don't toast that one (can you?) I'll be alright. Also how much can you trim down an expansion pack, because my *goal* is to have this think under 2" think. That may seem unattainable but If it comes to it I might just make the ZN-40 thicker in the middle. so the actual place where you hold it will only be like 1.5- 2" high, a lot like your combined project.

^^^ like that, note that was made in paint and well I don't have much skill.

Thanks for all the input guys, keep it coming!

UPDATE - I just ordered a ZN-40 and a ZN-45 from Polycase This afternoon. I will however be on holidays for the next week (hello Vegas) so I will probably update once or twice down there (but don't hold me to it).

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:04 pm

I think the ZN-45 would give you plenty of space to work in. Also, if you modified the ZN-40 like you mentioned you'll probably have enough space as well.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:24 pm

Gordon1 - It should be fine to make the system under 2". I am aiming for 32mm on my system in total, although the cart slot for the game itself will need to be flat on the top (third layer). This means that the PSone screen, controllers, casing, N64 guts and all wiring at 32mm thick, extra 20mm for cart itself (only option to this would have been to have a big case, which isn't an option in my project). The cart in my project will be well away from hand-holding areas.

You shouldn't fry a jumper pak at all, although if you don't put heatsinks on the expansion pack, if you use that instead, then it might get damaged.

Relocating a cart slot is quite easy but time consuming, what will be hard (in my project) is relocating an expansion pack. Keep posted on how I plan to do this fiddly work - I have an ingenious idea to solve this. Relocating this means the expansion pack can be flat against the N64 mobo and not sticking out of it.

No, you can't trim more than a few millimeters from the expansion pack as you can only remove MOST (not all) of the grounding strip. You can remove far more from a jumper pak though.