Allocating parts...can anyone give me a shopping list?

XFactor · Post by **XFactor** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 5:54 pm

Ok well, I am new at this so I won't lie. I need help figuring out what parts to buy for my N64p...

I already ordered the N64 off of Ebay, and I am currently bidding on the PSone screen. So that just about takes care of the crucial elements.

I guess I should state what I had in mind for this project: I want to build a portable that can run off of battery power (one that I hope can last up to 2 hours that's not too heavy to hold) as well as recieve voltage from a wall outlet in order to function when off the battery. I also had in mind to have video-out plugs somewhere on the case so it could still be played like a regular N64 if I desired to.

I have read the forums and heard about heatsinks, capacitors, and the like, but its hard to understand the electrical aspect of the build in terms of volts (I've heard 3.3v and 9.6v and couldn't make the connection as to their significance). I have no issue with soldering or building the actual case; however, I have never done serious electrical wiring or heat transferance via the heatsinks/fans.

One of my ideas was to seperate the fans from the power supply and make it so the fans run off of a seperate battery somewhere else in the case. This, I imagine, would free up more time to use the system. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but some advice would be appreciated.

Thanks to anyone who can give me ideas or advice regarding my build.

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:15 pm

i'm making a guide. it should cover everything you need but it's not done yet and won't be until i have time and am bored

Xiro · Post by **Xiro** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:33 pm

i just read the how to up until where you are finished, and i have to say that i learned a lot and when i start opening stuff saturday i have less of a chance of screwing up.

but i have a question (that is probably really stupid) about your wiring guide.

that is your image of the wiring guide, but the black (and red) wires both split into multiple sections. Doesnt electricity always take the shortest possible route, therefore meaning it would stop after travelling to the first component wired in?

sorry im such a n00b, i just dont want to screw up on wiring

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:38 pm

no because all the components have some resistance so neither one is taking up all the current. when that would apply is if you shorted the power and ground with a piece of solder or wire or something else with low resistance

Xiro · Post by **Xiro** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:42 pm

ok, thanks for clearing that up, and to wire like you did, would i just solder a joint between 2 wires and have it branch off like in your diagram?

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:44 pm

you could but as long as they're connect somewhere it'll work

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 6:55 pm

yeah the whole "takes the shortest route thing" confuses a lot of peope. id be happy if they stopped telling people that and took the time to explain it properly.

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xfactor - you should start reading the n64 forums, a lot of the questions you will ask have been asked before and people get tired of answering the same questions. but heres some answers for you right now:

- the nintendo 64 takes runs on 3.3v and 12v. it needs both. voltage is a measurment of potential energy, or how much work the electrons can do. since voltage is a potential difference, rather than an absolute potential, it has to be measured relative to something. that thing would be your ground, or 0v (or 'negative'). so you have to connect 3 wires, 12v (which can actually be 7.5-30ish), and 3.3v (which needs to be exactly 3.3v). the ground from whatever two sources you get this power from will be connected together, and to the ground on the motherboard.

- if you have room for more batteries to run a fan off of, why not just add more batteries to your main pack, and run the fan off that. youd get the same battery life, but less complication. (i can picture it now: your fan batteries die hours before your main pack does, but you dont notice and you fry your system because it overheats)

- your chips need heatsinks; if they are big enough you wont need a fan. theres no way to measure how big is big enough, this is up to your own judgement.

theres enough wiring diagrams floating around out there that you should be able to pull this off without ever having to understand that much about how it all works (if thats what you want).