machjas n64p work log

machjas

Active Member
Here is my work log up to this point. I started this project before joining these forums. Keep mind, this was originally a facebook note and worded in such a way that anyone reading it could get an idea of what I'm doing.

I'm working toward something similar to this, but putting my own spin on it.

"Presenting the iNto64 Nintendo handheld portable by Bacteria!":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3nZrzReZq0

The wiring and soldering will be fairly similar, but the way I'll build the case and fit it together will be my own.

Build Log, Earliest to Most Recent:

Sat 6/5/10 @ 5:15am:

I have the case cut out for the most part and the n64 motherboard reduced down as much as it can be. Now I need to figure up the depth of the case and figure out how i want to cut out and mount the cartridge slot, cut it down, sand it, and later paint it.

tupperware4.jpg


tupperware3.jpg


tupperware2.jpg


tupperware1.jpg


I'm just brainstorming here, but I may integrate the heatsink for the central processors and ram expansion with my cart-slot solution (seeing as how the n64 mobo will be facing downward if you were to look in from the top of the case, with the expansion pack still mounted as Nintendo had originally intended). We shall see, but so far so good!

cartboard.jpg


6/10/10 @ 3:10am:

I have prepped ribbon cable to be soldered on the mainboard in order to re-attach and relocate the cartridge slot. I also uploaded some pictures, they can be found in my photo album. Tomorrow, I plan to solder the cartridge slot back on to the mainboard.

ribbono.jpg


6/19/10 @ 5:30am:

I put some thought into it and decided to scrap the tupperware enclosure for the handheld. Instead, what I'll be doing is vacuum forming plastic. Here's the general idea of how it works:

Vacuum Forming with your Kitchen Oven and Vacuum Cleaner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGBRiYhxRTM

Building the forming table was fairly cheap at around $50 for lumber, screws, silicone caulking and aluminum tape.

Using this method, I'll be able to make the enclosure look and feel exactly how I want it, rather than being restricted to modifying tupperware.

As for relocating the cartridge slot from my previous entry, I'm looking for better wire to use with this.

6/20/10 @ 5:20pm:

The vacuum forming table and frame is completed and ready to be used!
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=103&start=560

vacform5.jpg


The plastic that is to be used is .080" High Impact Styrene:
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.a ... &catid=715

From the description, it seems that this would be perfect for an electronics enclosure. Its forming temperature is 325-350 deg F, and its odorless.

At this point, I need to find a type of modeling clay that I can let sit for a few days so that it can dry, and then at that point, I'll need to be able to sand it down. This is how I plan to make the enclosure mold.
 
I ordered 3 of these N64 replacement consoles and got a deal on combined shipping. $10/ea per unit and $5/ea to ship :awesome: :

NINTENDO 64 SYSTEM N64 CONSOLE ONLY REPLACEMENT
http://cgi.ebay.com/NINTENDO-64-SYS...yZ139971QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'm still trying to get the cart slot relocated. I've experimented with several types of wire, most of them so far has been sloppy, stiff or just difficult to work with, I haven't gotten ANY of it to boot to a cart (I'm a n00b solderer :roll: ). While searching these forums, the kind of wire I see recommended a few times over is the 30 AWG Kynar Single Core. What's everyone's opinion on this?

30 ft Kynar wire wrap wire 30 awg 4 modding 10 color
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260515307911&_trksid=p2759.l1259

Thanks for any input!
 
I've tried using the ribbon cable, but haven't had much luck for one reason or the other. I tried using some old school stranded ribbon cable, and I've used some newer single-core ribbon cable from newer hard drives.

My problem may have been either I fried the board I was working on somehow or that I may have cut the wiring too long. I've also noticed in your vids, SS, that you bend the pins over on your cartridge slot before soldering to them. Does this make a huge difference? Also, what length do you generally shoot for when you're relocating the cart slot?

Thanks in advance!
 
I just cut off the ports is all. I didn't feel like I needed to go down any further than that. I'm not even using that particular board at the moment. I'm relocating the cart slot on another one, so I can still hook it up and test it. I didn't quite think that part through :dah:
 
So I decided to sit down and get some rough sketches down on paper for my case design. I have no idea what the dimensions will be at this point, it's just so that I can get some concepts on paper. You'll notice that my depth perception and camera work is fail on these drawings, but you get a rough idea of what I'm thinking with this. Note that I plan to vacuum form my case.

0625101526.jpg


0625101527.jpg


0625101528.jpg


Any input is appreciated!
 
I would put the D-Pad just a little closer to the analog stick, but otherwise, lookin great!
 
Still having trouble with cartridge slot relocation. I have no shorts, no loose connections. I've spent plenty of time re-soldering loose connections and I didn't start out with any shorts. It's still not able to read the cart.

I'm using 32 AWG single core wire that i took from an IDE ribbon cable maybe 3 inches long, and 63/37 rosin-core solder is there some reason this won't work? I've made sure to strip the wire as little as possible. Is there something I'm missing or anything else I can try? I may just set this board aside for now and try different wire on another one. I'm not sure that a picture would do much good, as the front layer of wires covers the back...

Thanks in advance!
 
It's definitely 32 AWG (it was printed on the ribbon cable). Now that I think about it, it may have been a ribbon cable from a floppy drive, rather than IDE. Regardless, I was worried that it might it might be a bit small, but it was the cleanest wire i've worked with so far, so thought i'd try it.

quick picture:
0628100326a.jpg


As I mentioned in a previous post, I thought I might order some of this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/30-ft-Kynar-wir...t=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item3ca7ec2187

(i'm not able to find spooled wire where I live for some reason)

Thanks for the quick responses.
 
βeta said:
32ga will work fine electronically, it's just a pain in the ass.

Ohh I know :sweat:

I'm reading that single-core is not recommended, but it's not clear as to why.

I drove myself crazy last night trying to find shorts. At first, I saw the power LED was flashing. I had one pin that had a rough soldering job on it, seems i was shorting it with the metal shielding of the slot itself. I corrected that, and now just getting the lamesauce black/blackish-greenish screen when I go to test it.

It sucks, I was really pretty satisfied with the soldering I did to the joints on the mobo :neutral2:

I think I may try using a heavier gauge with flux-core solder, maybe it'll just inherently make a better connection or at least be easier to troubleshoot.
 
You may have fired your board. Put your hand on the CPU when you turn it on. If it gets really hot really fast, its gone to N64 heaven.
 
I can never get solder to stick to single core wire that size, but I've heard it's a personal problem.
 
Slow progress so far, I know. I've been ordering parts when I have extra cash after bills and cigarettes and whatnot.

Went ahead and ordered this console toolkit:
http://www.amazon.com/Console-Toolkit-G ... 456&sr=8-1

Also, ordered a couple of the Yobo controllers (so that I can replace analog stick with GCN analog):
http://cgi.ebay.com/YOBO-Nintendo-64-Co ... 3f005d0172

Disassembled a GCN controller, salvaged the buttons, analog sticks, etc..

Cut up an N64 controller, salvaged the button slots (just in case)

Looking to order a couple GCN controllers to rip apart. I found these on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Indigo-Game-Control ... 588643c758

They're third-party clones, and they're super-cheap. All the buttons look legit, not sure if anyone has had any experience with them or not. I may just order a couple and try them out.
 
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