New to the 64 Community

emtea · Post by **emtea** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 8:32 pm

I just got a N64 off ebay today. All is well with it but I just need some simple questions for the community. First, after looking at some of the wireing diagrams I couldn't find a simple pinout of the power coming from the stock pack. I plan to do some simple LED mods to it but I can't find a good power source. I'd use a multimeter but after killing an Xbox with one I don't touch them any more. Also I was wondering if it is safe to run LEDs of the 3.3v source from the controller ports. When I modded Xbox's it was the norm to run controller port lights off the 5v going to said controllers, I didn't know if that was the same case with N64s. I'm excited to mod this thing, hopefully it'll turn out nice. I'll post picks when I'm done.
Thanks.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:18 am

Welcome to the community.

You can use the 3.3v line if you like, 3v is 3v after all, and LED's don't use much power.

You might find my topic of interest.

The voltage lines on the power in box are marked on the box conveniently.

emtea · Post by **emtea** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:01 pm

bacteria wrote:Welcome to the community.

You can use the 3.3v line if you like, 3v is 3v after all, and LED's don't use much power.

You might find my topic of interest.

The voltage lines on the power in box are marked on the box conveniently.

Well I plan to run a lot of LEDs, I don't think 3.3v could run 20+ LEDs.
I looked for any voltage markings but after opening both the N64 and the power pack I couldn't find any. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong place. If you can guide me in any way I'd appreciate it.

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:39 am

Look at Harshboy's wiring diagram.

Using lots of LED's - what's the point, and isn't that tacky??

Reminds me of the 1980's when manufacturers made rubbish stereo systems with lots of knobs on the stereo which served no purpose and lots of flashing lights; to make the product look "cool" - masking bad audio and product quality by trying to fool the buyer they were getting something better than they were.

Anyway, back to your query. Harshboy's diagram shows the 3.3v line and the 12v line, as well as the ground. If you use a multimeter, you will see the voltage (from the mains, coming out of the power pack of the N64) from the 12v line is actually 10.95v and the 3.3v line is (as I recall) more like about 3.1v. If you ran wires in series to each of the LED's they should work (3v), probably not if done in parallel.

emtea · Post by **emtea** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:32 am

bacteria wrote: Using lots of LED's - what's the point, and isn't that tacky??

I wont use all 20+, but just incase. I try not to be tacky with my LED mods.

bacteria wrote: Anyway, back to your query. Harshboy's diagram shows the 3.3v line and the 12v line, as well as the ground. If you use a multimeter, you will see the voltage (from the mains, coming out of the power pack of the N64) from the 12v line is actually 10.95v and the 3.3v line is (as I recall) more like about 3.1v. If you ran wires in series to each of the LED's they should work (3v), probably not if done in parallel.

I won't wire them in parallel, series is the way to go. I'll run over those diagrams and if I still can't find it (read: blind as a bat) or have any questions I'll post em.

Post by **Skyone** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 1:02 pm

emtea wrote:
bacteria wrote:Welcome to the community.

You can use the 3.3v line if you like, 3v is 3v after all, and LED's don't use much power.

You might find my topic of interest.

The voltage lines on the power in box are marked on the box conveniently.
Well I plan to run a lot of LEDs, I don't think 3.3v could run 20+ LEDs.

Sure it could: