The eN64p STATUS: Finalizing case. Total cost: $134

[robm]

I have started on a mission to build an N64p, with the goal of doing it with the least amount of money invested possible.

This top post will be updated periodically as project continues.

Total cost thus far: $126

Goals:
Obtaining N64 console for under $5. *done* Cost: ~$3
Obtaining usable LCD screen for under $40. *done* Cost: $34
Finding a usable battery for under $40. *done* Cost: $35
Finding new aftermarket controller for under $10. *done* Cost: $8
Building case for under $10. Cost so far: $15

Other associated costs:
PTH08000 regulator: $9
Can of automotive-grade primer: $8
Charging protection circuit: $5
Replacement of fried N64 motherboard: $10 x 1 = $10
Wire: $8

Getting a hold of the N64 for under $5 was actually a fairly amusing incident. I saw an ad on Craigslist for a box of game systems "in various states of disrepair" for $35. I talked to the guy and met him, and lo and behold, among other unmentionables, the box contained:

2 PS1s.
1 SNES.
1 Dreamcast.
1 N64.
1 Gamecube.

All for $35, including controllers and hook-ups. Total price-per-piece ends up being about $3. Not a bad deal, methinks, considering all consoles worked flawlessly with minor cosmetic issues (CD door hinges broken/loose, etc.)

The LCD screen was procured at a local video game store. It was bought new, used once, and then returned. It is a Zenith unit (anyone have any experience with these? http://wholesaleusa.vstore.ca/product_i" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... ucts_id/87) that has all the bells and whistles, if a little over-engineered on connectivity. Bought for $34, $160 new. In excellent condition. 5" measurement.

A Yobo game controller bought at same store for $8. It's an ok unit I suppose, after taking it apart. I'm not overly happy with how the stick feels, but hey. It's cheap.

Total build cost so far: $134.

N64 board has been disassembled and properly prepped for insertion into case, aside from adhering heat sinks (free, were laying around the house. If I'm not mistaken, I removed them from a couple of old 486 motherboards a few years ago.)

As of now, I have no clue on possible battery options, will be doing research this weekend for a solution.

Case material problem is half-solved. I have fiberglass resin, and have some experience using it, but (obviously) not in a portable environment. If this is successful, then cost for case materials will be zero. If fiberglass resin=fail, then I'll be looking into Perspex, most likely. I will begin clay modeling of case tomorrow evening.

Pictures of my progress thus far will be posted soon, if my old Kodak DC10 can handle it.

So... has anyone done this cheaper, at this stage?

[edit] Hah, after browsing the forums a bit more... I find someone's handy post. Titled something obscure, like "here's your N64p battery" or some such nonsense. So, $35 for the battery, under my budget. [/edit]

[Ben Cebhrem]

That Zenith screen is very similar to the PSOne screen; pinouts are near exactly the same, although take the time to browse the forums a bit, as I believe power input varies for the Zenith.

Nice job procuring stuff for cheap so far; I look forward to seeing how it winds up. Any ideas on what the look/design of the case will be, or is it still up in the air a bit?

[robm]

I have a vague-ish idea of what I want in a case, but I admit will probably end up looking a lot like the other home-made N64s. The design works because it's simple. What I DO want in a case, however, is a completely smooth area over the LCD (no ledge between the case and the LCD screen.) This will require a bit of interesting work, we'll see how I do. Probably badly, but I've got an idea or two.

Power input for the Zenith is 7.2V, which I believe is pretty standard. I was lucky enough for this to come with a 12v power supply (to be sourced from a vehicle's cigarette lighter,) so that may even provide a solution for regulation from the battery. We'll see.

I just checked out the page on the ZN cases; if fiberglass resin does fail, then it's probably going to be one of those - $9.61 for one unit.

[deviouskoopa]

I have a vague-ish idea of what I want in a case, but I admit will probably end up looking a lot like the other home-made N64s. The design works because it's simple. What I DO want in a case, however, is a completely smooth area over the LCD (no ledge between the case and the LCD screen.) This will require a bit of interesting work, we'll see how I do. Probably badly, but I've got an idea or two.

Power input for the Zenith is 7.2V, which I believe is pretty standard. I was lucky enough for this to come with a 12v power supply (to be sourced from a vehicle's cigarette lighter,) so that may even provide a solution for regulation from the battery. We'll see.

I just checked out the page on the ZN cases; if fiberglass resin does fail, then it's probably going to be one of those - $9.61 for one unit.

I've read that you can get a ZN case for free as a sample; further investigating, it seems you just have to call them, I think.

BTW, this project sounds great, I look forward to the pic updates

[Kyo]

You're lucky. Zenith screens contain the high quality insides of a PSOne screen.

[robm]

I've read that you can get a ZN case for free as a sample; further investigating, it seems you just have to call them, I think.

Yes, it does say so right on the website. I will probably attempt to call them, but I'd like to talk to someone who has already done it so I know what I'm getting into. They specify that the free samples are for "electrical engineers," so I'm curious as to how they accomplish verification of employment, if they do at all. I do not, unfortunately, work in the EE field as of yet.

If it's fairly easy to get a free sample, then I'll probably do it just on general principle so that I'll have it on hand in case the fiberglass idea falls through.

You're lucky. Zenith screens contain the high quality insides of a PSOne screen.

I was impressed, if I do say so myself. I've always known Zenith to be a good brand in other areas of electronics, so I figured I couldn't go wrong. For $35, I was willing to go wrong!

[palmertech]

$34 is a good price, they are excellent screens. I bought 4 of them back wehn empiregames had them on ebay for only $8.90 each, plus combined shipping of $27. Comes out to like $15 a screen. I got lucky, though.

I hate the Yobo N64 stick, too, but because it is potentiometer based (Unlike the official N64 controller), you can very easily use a gamecube joystick instead.

I have bought a few ZN cases, they are so cheap that I don't really feel like bugging them over the phone. We should contact them to show all the stuff we making using their cases, I think that they would actually care; They have a blog, and the last catalog I got from them was entitled "Pimp my enclosure". IT was full of hilarious pics of their cases shopped to look like hotrods and mansions.

[Kyo]

That sounds like a pretty sweet deal! Not available anymore?

[robm]

you can very easily use a gamecube joystick instead

I actually thought about that, after reading it somewhere. I have a relatively small chance at picking up a free GC controller from a relative; if that pans out, I'll go with it. Otherwise, I'm stuck with the Yobo piece for now. (Proof of cheap build concept, I guess.)

I bought 4 of them back wehn empiregames had them on ebay for only $8.90 each, plus combined shipping of $27.

Crap! Beat me on cost for the LCD.

How do you like that ZN case? Good quality material?

[palmertech]

That sounds like a pretty sweet deal! Not available anymore?

For a while (I think there was a thread on it) "Empire Games" had like 100 of them in lots of 10, buy it now $9 for each screen. Looking back, I should have bought more, that was an insane deal. I check back sometimes, though, they were sold at one week intervals. I doubt there are any left. The packaging was horrible, though. Mine came is a big box with no padding at all, I am lucky the packaging saved them.

Buy a used/broken GC controller, that would run you like $5.

The ZN series is VERY nice plastic, some of my favorite; The texture is smooth, yet textured, with a solid heft and a nice matte finish.... I sound like a wine critic or something. But yes, polycase makes fantastic cases, and the plastic is thick enough to bondo to with no structural issues.

Ever heard of PacTec? They make good cases, also have free samples; I do not like the plastic as much, though, it feels cheaper.

[robm]

Sounds good.

I hope the fiberglass idea works out, as it's extremely durable (if brittle) and has an ultra-smooth finish when done. If not, then it's the ZN case route. Really, the only thing holding me back from that is wanting to do a truly original case design, as opposed to a pre-made one. That, and the goal of trying to stay as cheap as possible.

I'm thinking of going with the original black/graphite color of the N64; I'm not into white anything, as seems to be the fad nowadays. Too Apple-ey for me.

[robm]

Update: I tore apart and re-wired the screen, and connected it to my PS2. It fired up great, and I must say, the Zenith has AWESOME clarity - I was expecting something much less quality.

I'll be working on power for the N64, and will connect the LCD to it, at which point I shall post pics of progress thus far.

[Kyo]

That sounds like a pretty sweet deal! Not available anymore?

For a while (I think there was a thread on it) "Empire Games" had like 100 of them in lots of 10, buy it now $9 for each screen. Looking back, I should have bought more, that was an insane deal. I check back sometimes, though, they were sold at one week intervals. I doubt there are any left. The packaging was horrible, though. Mine came is a big box with no padding at all, I am lucky the packaging saved them.

Buy a used/broken GC controller, that would run you like $5.

The ZN series is VERY nice plastic, some of my favorite; The texture is smooth, yet textured, with a solid heft and a nice matte finish.... I sound like a wine critic or something. But yes, polycase makes fantastic cases, and the plastic is thick enough to bondo to with no structural issues.

Ever heard of PacTec? They make good cases, also have free samples; I do not like the plastic as much, though, it feels cheaper.

Damn it why did you tell me this! This is just one more missed opportunity that will hinder me from sleeping at night

[robm]

Ok, here are some pics. Please forgive the quality; my camera is an old-as-dirt Kodak DC10, one of the first megapixel models. And by megapixel, I mean one megapixel. And by one megapixel, I mean it fookin sucks dood. It was cool 10 years ago, what can I say.

Here is a top-down of my bare N64 motherboard:


Top-down of the stripped Zenith screen:


Here is a view of some of the pigtails on this unit. The yellow circles are the headphone jacks. This unit uses two; I will be eliminating one. Who the hell needs two headphone jacks on one unit? "Hey dood, listen to my Mario Brothers music."

The red circle is the connector for the screen; I will likely be keeping this, as it eases replacement of the LCD if it ever needs service. Composite, power, and audio all run through that same jack.

The blue circle is the power switch for the unit. I will probably not keep this in the original design, unless I think it can handle the amperage of the entire completed unit. I'm thinking no.

The green circle is the power supply unit for the screen. It appears to contain a voltage regulator of some variant or other, but I've yet to do any research on it. I'll be a happy man if the maximum range is in the 12's somewhere, but I can't get that lucky I'm sure. If it CAN handle 12 volts, then the only two voltages I'm going to need are 12 and 3. Fan-freakin-tastic.

[HBN]

This unit uses two; I will be eliminating one. Who the hell needs two headphone jacks on one unit? "Hey dood, listen to my Mario Brothers music."

Multi-player without disturbing others? That's why there is two.