Ok i had Bens book for a while finished reading it a while ago. Im finally deciding to start one of these projects. So i started by bartering off a police scanner i had laying around for an old 2.25 screen pocket tv(yes its small). I took it because it had A/V in. I am probably gonna just create a plexi-glass case because it looks cool. So i cracked open the TV. I dont have the nintendo yet im currently working on a couple offers over craigslist. Anyways after opening the tv i noticed the A/V input is on a seprate board as the LCD. The A/V input is on the same board as the tv tuner. Not to sure if i need to use this board or not.

Let me know what you guys think so far?

The lcd uses a actual tube light bulb!!! can i replace that with L.E.D.s?
Im also wondering whats behind that high voltage goldish box? Im asuming it has to do with the light bulb?

Yeah you can, There's a lot about it in Ben's book.

Well then i better bust that book back out. Its been a year since i read it.

EDIT: Got book out looks like im re-reading chapter 4

After re-reading chapter 4 i felt confident enouph to take out this bulb. Now i need to pick up some LEDs and resistors. Not sure where my 5v spot is yet. I do know where there is a ground thow.

Anyone know the easiest way to find a 5v power source on the screen for my L.E.D.s?

just power the Leds from the 7805 on the nes when you get one. oh, and don't listen to the book on the resistor ratings. You will want one resistor for each led, and they need to be of around 33kohm. Ben miscalculated the ratings and as a result, if you use his method, the LEDs will eventually start to flicker a bunch, then die.

Oh, and don't be ashamed of a 2.5 inch screen. The NES can be cut down quite a bit see my TinyPnes log on modretro. If you cut down the nes, a 2.5 inch screen won't look bad at all.
Here's the link for the TinyPnes http://forums.modretro.com/viewtopic.ph ... 7&start=90 It is on page 10, but that is a good picture because it compare the mobo with a gamegear case. Keep in mind though that with cutting down the nes, you will need to relocate sections of the board.

THANKS!!! for the info and the link. Its really apreciated. Now L.E.D.s wont die on me.

I Think im gonna go with disposable batterys. I can easily get those holsters at radio shack. Im not sure wich ones to use. Im thinking double As but can i use 9v batts?

You could use 9v batteries, but you won't have much play time with them. You're better off with either a stack of AAs, or a battery pack of some kind.

Hmmm well doing some cleaning i came across some spare cell phone batterys. 3 are samsung 3.7v Li-ion but there is no amprage on it just the voltage. model number is-ab563840ca. I dont know how to get the mAh of it?? I also have one pantech Li Polymer battery also rated at 3.7v at 1320mAh. I also have the standard AA pack.


EDIT: a look at a battery with the same model number online comes up with 700mAh.
http://www.adorama.com/LRCLSM800.html

Thanks. Yeah i guess the 9v isnt a good idea.

700 mah won't get you very far, I'm afraid. maybe about one hour.

If you decide to go for the 9 volt battery idea, you should wire two holders in parralell. it won't double the volts, but instead will double the battery life.

If you want a cheap ( but large ) battery, you should go for a 7.2 or 9.6 volt nihm battery. radioshack sells them at up to about 3300 mah. If you are tight on space, you could always make the batteries be external and just clip onto the back of the portable. If the battery isn't too heavy, velcro can hold it on good.

Oh, and you are very welcome for the info and link.

Hmmm well I want to use the 9 volts because there flat. Would 4 9v in a parallel circiut be saficient? I'm not really looking for super long battery life. It's my first go at a portable and I hope to do others so there's room for improvement. Once again thanks for the info provided.

You know how much 4 9v batteries cost? I found a 4 pack on Google Shopping for $10. A rechargeable battery pack would pay for itself within ~10 hours of use. Just make sure they're NiMH and not NiCd. NiCd batteries can develop a memory effect if not fully discharged before charging.