Unicycler17's GCP worklog FINISHED

[unicycler17]

I already started on this project, but I figured it's never too late to start documenting it. This is my first portable, and I'm only 14.

For the case, I ordered a zn-45 and a rw-45 both from polycase.com. It will be a vertical format, and the rw case will attach on the back at the top to hold the disc drive (I know I can use sd cards, but I can't afford the wiikey fusion) The cases havn't come yet and Im using a 3.5 inch ebay screen.

EDIT: Yes I am using the Wiikey, and It will be a horizontal format. I'm not going to use the RW case anymore either.



I removed all the connectors from the board, and relocated the regulator board. I wired up a headphone jack, and wired up the screen without using the av cables. I used six wires to relocate the board, not using shockslayers discovery, and one extra so that it will shut off if it overheats.


Bottom of board with relocated reg board and no connectors


My headphone jack (probly won't have a normal speaker, just headphones)


I knocked off two capacitors when removing av port, and soldered them on wires back on

I removed all the large mounting hardware on the disc drive, and used broken pencils and hot glue to raise the plastic above the board.


I'm probably not going to relocate the daughterboard, and I will use the original heatsink.

sorry for gigantic or blurry pictures, I just figured out how to post them successfully

[unicycler17]

Im using the original little power input board because I want to make sure that I get the correct polarties to the mobo, and The wire that connects from it to the mobo isn't always correctly marked. I removed the original push button on off switch, and wired in a "flippy" one. I also removed the power in part, and relocated it. I made this diagram for myself, and have basically re-created it, but I don't have batteries yet.



EDIT: I am using one of the plastic-covered power inputs, not the circuit board style one. Upon ripping off the top plastic cover, I found metal leads that could easily be soldered to, for getting power to the screen.

[unicycler17]

sorry for blur. I don't have batteries yet, but I figured I might as well figure out the switch between them and wall power, since I def want to be able to play off the wall.



and it works!

[unicycler17]

I got my cases



piled everything together to see what it might layout to be.... Thats an old broken mobo, not the one ive been working on.



Started to cut out the disc drive shape from the rw case, but my dremel cutting bit is broken, and it's slow progress with a box cutter.

EDIT: I traced the disc drive with it upside down, so I cut it out backwards. Doesn't matter now though.

[Rockin Husker]

Hey thanks for doing this! it will (when i get to it) help me build my own.

And broken pencils? funny but good idea. XD

[unicycler17]

I've decided that I am now going to use the SD card loading, and will now have a horizontal layout. It will be harder to do, But I think it will look better and be more comfortable. The problem is, I need more money, because I need to buy:

Batteries
Wiikey Fusion
An SD card
Bondo
New dremel cutting bit mount
Mini controllers

And Ill probably need some IDE cable for soldering the motherboard to the WiiKey. Ive never used IDE cable, but Ive heard good things about the stuff and it seems to make everything more organized.

I now won't be using the RW case, just the ZN45, and I won't do much work on it for another few weeks.

[unicycler17]

I got a dremel mandrel bit, and now im working on cutting up a heatsink in order to put a fan directly on it. I was planning on using jb weld to attach the fan to the heatsink, but i don't know if that will work.

Can jb weld get really hot?
Is it conductive?

[hackmodford]

I don't see why that wouldn't work.

And you can get IDE cable at your local computer shop (they will give it away to you they have sooo much)

[unicycler17]

After 6 dremel cutting wheels, plenty of pliers-pulling, and finally getting a grinding wheel from my attic, I managed to cut up my heatsink and mount a fan on it. The fan is mounted with 5 minute epoxy and is blowing air downward. I attempted to hardwire my memcard, but failed. I will try again tomorrow.

Theres a small computer shop 2 blocks from me. I'll go get some IDE cable tomorrow. Maybe that will help me with the memcard.

[hackmodford]

My plan too...

I love this...... Were all copying each other

Sent from my HTC Hero CDMA using Tapatalk

[unicycler17]

Copying is the greatest form of flattery haha.

In Zenloc's second gcp, he left part of the fan case on, as seen in this pic.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1 ... 1843721188" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Should I do this to direct the airflow through the fins?

[hackmodford]

That's what I was going to do...

Sent from my HTC Hero CDMA using Tapatalk

[unicycler17]

okay frankencased the screen's case into the ZN case.



I used JB weld. I think I might buy some Epoxy putty and make the transition from the raised up case to the ZN a bit better looking. Still tons of Sanding to do.

I think I might do a neon green paint, and tons of gloss. But I'm not going to paint anything until I have the controller figured out.

How do I mount the circuit board and internals inside the case? I've seen people JB welding nuts into the case and then screwing into those. But I need a rather tall screw post because I am mounting the mobo to the back, and the heatsink is pretty tall. I was thinking of using scraps of wood, epoxying them into the case, and using those as screw posts. Bad idea?

I ordered some momentary switches from ebay. I don't think I'll use them as the main buttons, but I will use them for the eject, start, and z buttons. Unless I do a terrible job at cutting a controller. Then I will use them as the main buttons.

[hackmodford]

Try to find nylon spacers. If you get ones small enough you can thread them with woodscrews.


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[unicycler17]

Thanks for all your help, Hackmodford.


I mounted the power button into the top piece of the case.

I don't have my camera now, so i've been holding things up to my webcam for pictures, so thats why you see my hand.