Naimlessones GCsp

[naimlessone]

EDIT: revised some pics with updated configurations as well as links to everything I've ordered for this project

Hello guys and gals!

Just getting a head start on my GameCube Portable, the GCsp (GameCube Semi-Portable)!

The reason for it being the 'semi-portable' is because I really wanted GameCube that I could either lay in bed with or lounge around on the couch and play and just plug it into the wall, thus eliminating some cost and space with batteries and still function as a portable.

I will be using:

-Frankencased Wii U game pad shell and buttons
-http://www.ebay.com/itm/121505883780?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
-http://www.ebay.com/itm/171656708342?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
-http://www.ebay.com/itm/181651086424?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
-5" TFT back up monitor http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DZI ... UTF8&psc=1
-GameCube power supply
-3rd party controller http://www.ebay.com/itm/371249690228?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
-Wasp Fusion drive replacement http://www.badassconsoles.com/drive-replacement/
-AG-85 from polycase.com as a case extension (shamelessly stealing this idea from pescadl and his Alabaster GCp)
-Dual tact mod for Left and Right triggers
-3ds Speakers http://www.ebay.com/itm/171581974811?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
-Zenlocs custom voltage regulator viewtopic.php?f=36&t=2844
-iLuv isp100 portable speakers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VM ... UTF8&psc=1
-Players 1-4 controller hub
-Internal 1019 MB memory card http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-64MB- ... 3a969a4847
-sd gecko http://www.ebay.com/itm/141246674593?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
-AV out for playing on a regular TV (with switch to power off screen while playing)



Reason I'm making this thread before I actually start putting pieces together is to keep a better log than I did for my n64p worklog that I started after I actually started building it.

Here's some pics of what I hope to have in the final build of this:

Face:


Base (REVISED):

Back (REVISED):


That's a rough idea of where I would like everything to end up. The screen will hopefully be slightly raised off of the main face of the portable to allow a bit more room behind it as the unit itself is very thin before adding the AG case to the back.

 

[thatguythere]

Nice and neat looking gamepad layout there. I am exited to see how this one will turn out.

 

[redleader97]

I look forward to seeing updates, I am undertaking a portable using a wii u gamepad in the next month or so.

 

[naimlessone]

I'm going to try to take really good pics and videos of my progress as I go. Once the Wasps come back into stock is when I'll make a big push on this to get it done. Right now I'm waiting for the last few pieces to come in to start working on the case, getting the controls and figuring out how much space I have for the internals, and then wiring everything up outside of it. I've been patiently waiting to start this for some time, but didn't want to get started to early.

 

[I am Noah]

When will the wasps come back in stock, and on what website? Thanks!

 

[naimlessone]

Im not sure when exactly but ive heard soon. Badassconsoles.com is the place tho.

 

[Andy9909]

I have been messaging megalomaniac (Owner of badassconsoles.com) He says he has all in stock but is waiting for Feb 20th to take new orders.

 

[I am Noah]

Thanks! I'm definitely buying

 

[naimlessone]

So a small update!

1- Received a few things in the mail the other day; My AG-85 cases and AG-54 case (wasn't sure what exactly would work for me), my iLuv speakers (ordered the iLuv iSP100 and a different model I can't recall), more tact switches, my 5" TFT monitor and a couple extra Wii U gamepad shells.

2-Started mocking up the case halves to mark out where I need to cut and start frankencasing.

3-PICS!:


AG-85 case from polycase.com-

getting it set up to mark out the back of the Wii U for surgery-

The final case will not be this thick^^ The AG case will sit inside of where I dremel out. Over all it will be about 2" thick at its biggest point, give or take 1/4"
hash marks for removal-

Hoping to get a good amount done on the case this weekend. More pics to come!

 

[naimlessone]

So just a little more progress.

I spent a little time tonight cutting out a hefty chunk of the back of the Wii U case to get the AG-85 case to fit. Here's what I got so far:

It's obviously quite a bit wider on the case extension than my mock up drawings show, but I think that should allow me to have enough room to add some batteries to it now. I still have a little bit left to clean up around the inside of the wii u case and to nip off the 4 screw posts on the inside of the AG case. Then I can start closing up other holes and cut out some of the ports for the controller plugs and a/v out and such. Stay tuned!

 

[onewingsrider]

This portable is looking good

 

[naimlessone]

Another update!

Ordered a couple USB 3.0 cables to make a port for a multiplayer controller hub after considering the fact I will be the main user of this and only on rare occasions will it be used for multiplayer games, But I do want it capable of doing so. SO, The easiest way to do this is the hub. And considering the space I will be saving now by not having the controller ports inside the case it should allow for enough room for batteries (yay!). I was still on the fence on putting them in originally because I figured I'd only have enough room for 2 cells which wouldn't amount to much playing time at all, but now I believe I can fit 4 18650 2200mAh batteries in, and if I hook them up as 7.4v and 4400mAh, should allow for a good amount of playing time and use up the wasted space inside the case.

Here's a paint pic of the revised bottom of the case:

and a couple of the cuts I made for the Dc charge port, AC power port and switch for switching between the two:

 

[C4RB0]

This is coming along nicely. Is it comfortable to hold? If the components fit in a thinner shell, it may be more comfortable if you move the AG-85 a little more inside the Wii U controller shell. Like this:

 

[naimlessone]

Thanks. It's actually not bad, though I do have big hands. I'm not quite to the point of putting the two pieces together yet as I have a few more things to cut in for the USB and vents for cooling, which I may vent out the top and bottom of the back case instead of the sides as it shows in my first post. But after I figure those two things out I plan on getting to work smoothing out the areas where the two pieces meet with putty, and smoothing everything out nicey nice. The rest of my buttons and cables should be in this week and I'll go from there.

As far as moving the AG case in, the thought had crossed my mind, but seeing as how this is my first GCp if I find that i have a lot of left over space between my screen and the mobo, i'll be able to correct it on any subsequent ones I make.

 

[naimlessone]

Update! (sorry no pics)

Got my actual Wii U pad trigger pieces in yesterday. Doesn't look like I'll be able to make them work, at least some of them, in this project. Still working that out. Ordered a couple more new 3rd party GameCube controllers from eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/371249690228?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
^^^$12 for two controllers.
Still waiting on some more parts, as usual, which will be here tomorrow. Then I can get cranking on this case work again.

Now I think i'm either going to use the GC controller triggers set up in the dual tact method if I can't fin-angle the analog sticks in with enough room for the tacts, which will require some more frankencasing than I had hoped for.

Also came across this site a few minutes ago looking for some maintained pushbuttons for the on/off switch,
here: http://www.vetco.net/index.php

They carry quite a bit of good stuff we use so check them out.

besides the push buttons, I was also looking for a small project box for the controller hub and decide on this:

Measurements should be good on just squeezing the controller ports in there.

And seems as how it's only going to be used when the console is plugged into the wall, I may throw some LEDs in it and run 12v on the spare line coming off of the USB 3.0 cable i'm still waiting for to come. Should look pretty slick if I can make it work.

 

[Blargaman91]

Have you thought about using a Wii U GameCube Controller Adapter for the controller hub (not an official one, of course)? I think some 3rd party ones are cheap on eBay and it should make the job a lot easier.

 

[naimlessone]

No, I didn't think to use that. Only reason I can see after looking at that for not using it is that I'd have to put two usb ports on the controller to use it, (this one anyways: http://www.amazon.com/Super-Smash-GameC ... +for+wii+u)

Probably wouldn't be bad if I make another one though. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[C4RB0]

You'd have to replace the usb cable anyways, don't you? I mean this has been designed to work with a Wii U over USB. For a portable you need to connect it "directly" (i.e. without using the USB protocol).

The blue box with LEDs is certainly going to look really cool.

 

[naimlessone]

Well the usb 3.0 cable has 8 wires in it which I need in order to have enough wires for all the data lines plua power, ground etc. For the 4 players. I would have to disassemble that one in order to see what pins were what or find a diagram in order to make female usb ports on the portable to connect to. I think I worded the last post wrong lol

 

[RedmagnusX]

I've actually made a controller hub for one of my portables and I'd like to make a few recommendations if I may. For my external controller hub, I used a single Serial Port (9 pin D-Sub) as you need at minimum 7 pins for four controller ports (3.3v, 5v, Ground, P1, P2, P3 and P4 data).

I found that easier than USB ports (which was originally an option) because it's an all on one connector and it would prevent mixing up the connections. Therefore eliminating any chance of accidentally frying your portable by plugging the connectors into the wrong ports.

To save space, rather than using the AV port from the Gamecube, I recommend using a single female RCA jack for video out and using the headphone jack as your audio out as phono to RCA audio cables are easy to come by. Having also made a portable from a Wii U gamepad, I can tell you that you will be tight on space, so it's best to go as small as possible whenever possible.

Here's a video I made showcasing and explaining the AV and Controller out capabilities of my portable.