Just a few questions about portablizing

[DJ711]

Hey guys, if you don't know me I'm the dude who hangs around in Forum 42 and my name is DJ711. So I have a few questions

1) Where can I get some great tools for this hobby and for how much

2) Everyone keeps telling me that I have to be god to do this, is it really that hard? (I'm starting with a N64p)

3) The last thing I soldered was a circuit board on a radio when I was like eight for cub scouts, I have no prior electronics knowlege so is this a impossible hobby for me? Where can I find places with info I can use to learn more?

Thanks for taking the time to read and or answer these. I'm a n00b at this hobby

[jjhammerstein]

1- Radio Shack $50 in tools/wire, not counting paint

2- They just want to make themselves look better. Anyone can do it.

3- That's more knowledge than most people have.

Do research, use the internet.
For an N64p, you'll need to learn about these things:

Voltage
Amperage
Resistors
Capacitors
Switching Regulators
Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries
Protection Circuits
Vacuum Forming

Start by reading all of the build threads in the N64 forum.



Good luck, soldier.

[DJ711]

That's it? I thought tools would be like $100 bucks. Thank you. Last question, where would be the best place to work?

[jjhammerstein]

Soldering iron- $20
Wire- $10
Files- $10
Pliers- $5

I can't think of anything else, but that should cover it.

Work at a clean desk that you can leave a portable mess for a month or so.

[Nortier]

Another Question. Do you need to have a voltage regulator of could you just have the batteries voltage match the systems operating voltage? And could you do this by cuting the ac/dc power adapter cord and hooking the batteries to the positive and negative sides of the cord and then plugging it into the system? Ive done portable things before but just want to find an easier way even if it is quick and dirty.

[jjhammerstein]

If you have batteries that match the system voltage, you can hook them straight up.

You COULD wire batteries in where normal DC goes, but only if they're 120V. Good luck with that.

[themadhacker]

Wire- $10

Nobody should ever have to buy wire. Just get it from broken A/V cords or computers. there is just about an infinate amount you can collect from dead electronics.

[jjhammerstein]

Wire- $10

Nobody should ever have to buy wire. Just get it from broken A/V cords or computers. there is just about an infinate amount you can collect from dead electronics.

I didn't have anything good worth salvaging, I shelled out $6.

[nevermind1534]

I have tons of wire from dead PSUs that I'll sell for what it costs to ship plus any paypal fees if you want to go through them.