The 4xAA SNES portable - possible!? I think so!

[Life of Brian]

I've been adding some numbers up today and it's looking promising. I think it may be possible to make an SNES portable that runs off of only 4 AA batteries and still have an acceptable play time.

I have a small 2.5" lcd screen (exactly like this one) that I tested today and it runs off of a measly 6 volts drawing only 117 mA. That's pretty good considering it originally runs off of 12 volts with a half amp power adapter.

Edit: Here's a pic in case that eBay store stops selling them


According to this thread (grahf's comment near the bottom of the page) the FC Twin draws only around 200 mA. Can anyone back this claim up? What about just the SNES portion as compared to both SNES and NES sections together? Anybody got a multimeter handy? I'd test but I don't own a FC Twin console... yet. I did come across this thread which claims 850 mA. Which is correct?

Also, if it's needed, I could use this switching regulator from Dimension Engineering. I used it in my second SNESp and can attest to its incredible awesomeness and battery sipping prowess.

So what do you think? Does this all add up like I'm thinking it is or am I overlooking something?

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

this is what I am doing right now actually. I'm just to dumb to find a decent way to attach a battery cover

instead of that dimension regulator though I'm using an ldo one

[Life of Brian]

this is what I am doing right now actually. I'm just to dumb to find a decent way to attach a battery cover

instead of that dimension regulator though I'm using an ldo one

I'm not familiar with Ido - does it cost less than the Dimension Engineering one?

I think you should use some rare earth magnets to attach your battery cover - they're fun! I've got plenty extra if you want a few, Turbo.

[grahf]

According to this thread (grahf's comment near the bottom of the page) the FC Twin draws only around 200 mA. Can anyone back this claim up? What about just the SNES portion as compared to both SNES and NES sections together? Anybody got a multimeter handy? I'd test but I don't own a FC Twin console... yet. I did come across this thread which claims 850 mA. Which is correct?

Its been a long time since I built that system, but those numbers are definitely accurate. This was just the Snes portion. The SNES and NES boards are sepperated by ribbon cables, and are not powered at the same time anyways. CronoTriggerfans estimate was simply from reading the power adapter rating, which was just meant as a guess I think... The FC Twin isnt really power hungry at all.

Another interesting thing, I tested the system with different SNES carts. These are all from memory, since I dont think i recorded them.. Maybe i posted them somewhere though. Anyways, the normal ones were included in my baseline reading. Super FX carts, and other special carts, added around 5mAh extra. Not too bad actually. The tototek flash cart on the other hand, drew an extra 10mAh or so. Which isnt surprising considering whats inside of it.

Looking forward to seeing both of your projects, Brian and Turbo.

[Life of Brian]

I'm so glad to get your input, grahf! That's encouraging news I think it's time to hock some wares over at the ol' trading post to fund this brainstorm...

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

bleh sorry LDO (low drop out) havn't tried it yet but I really didnt do to much with the guts other than the cart slot and getting rid of ports


those magnets would be awesome I'll pm you

[Triton]

back in the day i ran my snes mini and a pocket tv straight off 4 AAs, only would run about an hour before the voltage dropped too far, sound would cut first then video would get crap before it died lol

[Life of Brian]

back in the day i ran my snes mini and a pocket tv straight off 4 AAs, only would run about an hour before the voltage dropped too far, sound would cut first then video would get crap before it died lol

Yeah I remember seeing that on your web site way back when. What's got me excited is that if the FC Twin does indeed only draw 200-ish mA and my screen needs only 117 mA, I'm looking at an SNES portable that draws less power than the SNES mini by itself!

[Triton]

crap this is making me want to work on my snes again! lol

[Life of Brian]

Well then - mission accomplished

[bacteria]

Excellent work, it will be very interesting to see the system working with only 4 x AA cells! Please post lots of progress pics and a walkthrough on the building of the project as you work on it.

The only downside I see, but this is personal, is the fact the screen is so small. I find myself squinting and getting tired eyes when playing on a 3" screen, let alone a smaller one (hence why I like 5" screens).

[Life of Brian]

Well, I've been thinking about what screen to use for my next portable and I don't know if I particularly want to use the other "Zate" screen I have. I've been playing my recently finished NOAC portable that uses one and while it's fine for cheap China-ripoff NES games, I'm wanting something that will be crisper and more brilliant for SNES. Since the eBay seller I linked to in the first post has raised his prices so that the screens are $70 total, I'm thinking there's no reason to continue buying from him.

I want to use this 2.5" screen because it best matches my budget for cost and power consumption. I know the screen is quite small but that's the point and it hasn't bothered me at all with the Fugtendo. I want something that can run for an acceptable amount of time off of 4 AA's!

[grahf]

Just a heads up Brian, even though the screens are listed as 480x234, its really only 160x234. Most LCDs are listed with each color band counted in the resolution. So generally you have to devide the vertical res by 3. Either way, it should still be a decent screen.

I found some 960x234 LCDs here in Japan (really 320x234), but they run about $125-150 US$. Despite the price, I will probably use one for my current project. (SL-64p/FC Twin SNES).

Any ideas for a case design yet?

[Kurt_]

I trust AEIComp won't try to trick you with resolution. Their screen are costly, I can see them being high-resolution too.

I must say, 5" screen for SNES way plenty, if not too much, for a portable. If I made another one, I'd make one with a 3" screen.

[grahf]

Kurt,
I'm not accusing AEIComp of trying to trick anyone, i'm just saying that its common practice to list LCD resolution in this way.