A Couple Questions...

XFactor · Post by **XFactor** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:55 pm

I just successfully relocated my slot and anchored the traces and soldered points with hot glue. This completed phase will probably prove to be the most tedious part of the build (besides the case). Before i begin the power wiring, i just have a few questions about parts and the new (and really great photoshopped) diagram:

1.) I want to eliminate some switches because I don't see myself hooking it up to a TV. I was pondering whether i could eliminate all of the other switches with the exception of the main N64 power switch? This may not be correct, but I theorized that by directly soldering the positive wire from the screen to the N64 power switch, the screen switch could be eliminated. This would, at least in my theory, supply positive flow to both the N64 and the screen when the one switch is turned on. It would also not create any new connections; so even when the switch was off, the battery would not be expended.

2.) Battery connectors. I found some off of radioshack.com that can transfer a current of 7.2v. My battery runs on 7.4v. Would there be a problem here or would the current from my battery be within tolerable limits? I intend to solder the power wiring to the N64 with 22 guage wire; these connectors would be used to plug the battery charger into the unit when i want to use wall power (the internal N64 power wires would be split, a opposing pair running to the N64 and a pair used for these connectors for wall power) . The current supplied by the charger is 8.4v. Here are the connectors (the top is 7.2v, the bottom is 9.6v):
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search
or
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:47 pm

As far as current through wires goes: if the wire is only big enought to let so much current through, anything more than that will cause heat. I think for those battery pack repair things, it wouldnt really matter, especially with low amps. Theyre probably both the same anyway. The voltage going through it wouldnt matter as much as the amps anyway.

Just a little piece of info, just because your battery says 7.4V on it, if you check it on a full charge with a multimeter it will read more than that.

And as far as the wall power thing goes, if you wire a wall plug and the batteries directly to the n64 (no switch between the wall and batteries) make sure you have a way so that the batteries and wall power arent connected (put diodes on the battery to n64 line and the wall power to n64 line so the wall power wont be going to the batteries and so the battery power wont be going to the wall.)

XFactor · Post by **XFactor** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:03 pm

That process of diodes confuses the hell out of me. Would the switch be a simplier solution? I heard that diodes decrease battery life...

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:11 pm

1. yes you can get by with only one switch if you don't want any external video connections

2. they're just wires, i use very small ones to power my N64. any of theose connectors will work just fine

Neildo_64 · Post by **Neildo_64** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:26 pm

What diodes do is simple after you understand it. They let electricity pass through them one way, but not the other. Like a one way door.

For instance:

[1] ---------<diode>|------------ [2]

the current can get from 1 over to 2, but the current cannot get from 2 over to 1.

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:47 pm

voltage a current are separate things. "a current of 7.2v" is meaningless.

anyways, if the connector is roughly what i think it is, then it could probably handle a lot more power than you think, maybe 120v @ 1A. When it says 7.2v thats just referring to where they think most people are going to use it (7.2v nimh pack). the connector for the flourescent bulb on the psone screen carries like 1000v at some small amperage.

so my point is that you can send pretty decent amounts of power though small-ish wires. so dont worry about it.

XFactor · Post by **XFactor** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:36 pm

what specific kind of diode should i look for? what is preferable?

usbcd36 · Post by **usbcd36** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 8:32 pm

Pretty much anything Radio Shack has should work, but make sure you are at less than half the voltage and current limits of the diode.

(ie, if your portable draws 1.5 amps, don't use a diode rated for 1 amp, use one rated for 3)

XFactor · Post by **XFactor** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 9:21 pm

Is this diagram for a DC-DC converter right? I am about to make these connections and want to be reassured...
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