GBC Mods

Trying to get homebrew running on your PSP? Want to add a screen light to your Game Boy? Trying to figure out how to work your GP2X? By popular demand, discuss it in here! (This forum is for pre-built handhelds, NOT custom made portables!)

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boxerorange
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GBC Mods

Post by boxerorange » Fri Nov 26, 2010 9:21 am

Hey guys, as a special gift for someone I wanted to mod a GBC with...

1) A back (or front) light. (I read somewhere on here that backlights aren't possible...?)
2) A rechargeable battery (along the lines of the GBA SP & DS)

Before I go off buying a GBC, I just wanted to verify that these are possible and easy to do. Most of the mods appear to require an SP for the frontlight, I am also wondering if there are other places to get them. Same with the rechargeable battery.

minigodzila
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by minigodzila » Mon Nov 29, 2010 6:15 pm

No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>

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Pkmnjunky7
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by Pkmnjunky7 » Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:00 pm

minigodzila wrote:No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>
Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...
Image

boxerorange
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by boxerorange » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:54 am

So...you can backlight a Gameboy Pocket, but not a color?
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... it=gameboy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's weird.

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iHackedit
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by iHackedit » Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:38 pm

boxerorange wrote:So...you can backlight a Gameboy Pocket, but not a color?
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... it=gameboy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's weird.
Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.
Image

boxerorange
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by boxerorange » Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:38 am

iHackedit wrote:Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.
Does that mean the color aspect is what makes it impossible to backlight?

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Biased
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by Biased » Sat Dec 04, 2010 3:40 am

boxerorange wrote:
iHackedit wrote:Hmmm.... I don't see how its wierd... The gameboy color has color and cant be done.
Does that mean the color aspect is what makes it impossible to backlight?
Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.

boxerorange
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by boxerorange » Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:18 am

Biased wrote:Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.
I understand that, I'm just trying to figure out why you can do it to the Gameboy Pocket but not the Color.

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hailrazer
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by hailrazer » Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:21 am

boxerorange wrote:
Biased wrote:Basically what they're saying is that if you added a light behind the screen, you wouldn't like what you see. Adding frontlights is more plausible.
I understand that, I'm just trying to figure out why you can do it to the Gameboy Pocket but not the Color.
Different types of screens. Some screens allow light to shine from the back. Some screens were designed where light is reflected from the front to achieve brightness.
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boxerorange
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by boxerorange » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:51 pm

Ok, I am now looking to get a frontlight and battery.

From what I've gathered on other posts, you can use the battery from the Gameboy Advance SP.
Is there a better battery I could use, or will this one give ample battery life?

EDIT: Another quick question. I'm guessing it would be safe to wash the plastic parts (obviously nothing electric), and, as long as they are completely dry, put it back together; I just wanted to verify that this won't damage it and/or if there would be a better way to clean it.

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Biased
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Re: GBC Mods

Post by Biased » Sun Dec 12, 2010 5:12 pm

Whenever I take apart electronics like my PSP or 360 controllers, I get a toothpick, q-tips, cotton balls, and rubbing alcohol. It dries quickly and gets everything nice and clean.

Kodi3
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Joined:Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:33 pm

Re: GBC Mods

Post by Kodi3 » Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:59 pm

Pkmnjunky7 wrote:
minigodzila wrote:No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>
Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...
Would this be a relatively easy project? Comparable to the front light mod. I dont have any knowledge on circuitry or anything, but if its easy enough I would like to give it a go.

Kodi3
Posts:4
Joined:Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:33 pm

Re: GBC Mods

Post by Kodi3 » Sun Dec 09, 2012 5:59 pm

Pkmnjunky7 wrote:
minigodzila wrote:No it is not possible to practically backlight a GBC, it'll wash out the screen
although i do wish it were possible >.>
Backlighting isn't possible, but frontlighting is. I wouldn't necessarily call it easy... but it can be done if you know what you're doing.

Rechargeable battery is possible too. You can either use some sort of rechargable AA battery and install a charge port, or do the same with a 3.7v lipo cell. If you use a lipo battery though you'll need to buy a protection circuit... Check out http://www.batteryspace.com

EDIT: Extra Linkages!!!
http://www.batteryspace.com/protectionc ... limit.aspx
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymerli-i ... sited.aspx

I think this battery and PCB should work... Don't quote me on that though...
Would this be a relatively easy project? Comparable to the front light mod. I dont have any knowledge on circuitry or anything, but if its easy enough I would like to give it a go.

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