Auto Controller Switch
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:28 pm
The purpose of this mod is to make your N64p auto sense when you want to use the built in controller, and when you want to use an external controller for player 1. It accomplishes this using an internal switch that gets pressed when you plug a controller into your player 1 port. This eliminates the need for one of the many external switches your N64p could possibly have. Plus it makes it more convenient, intuitive, smart, professional, etc. I didn't actually do it myself yet, so bear with the photoshop'd pictures. Credit goes to Gannon for the original idea.
How to build:
(edit to fix broken links)
Original pictures by Bacteria and 4rank
This works great if you want to include the controller ports in the main unit, like MarshallH did:
No idea if he did this mod, I just used his pic for reference.
However, I'm building an external controller breakout pod, something like this:
(Shameless quick 'shop of this picture. Credit to FireTime.)
A breakout pod would be desirable because it will help reduce system size while retaining full console functionality. It will connect to my portable using a LOB64 interface plus another generic port to carry 3.3V to the controllers and the microswitch signal back to the N64. A second port is needed because the LOB64 standard doesn't have any extra pins. If you want to make an external pod with auto P1 controller switching, build the switching mechanism the same way as described above, but with two changes. Wire the controller ports to connect to the N64p through a LOB64 port, one on your portable and one on the breakout pod. On the second port pair, wire the microswitch for autosensing and +3.3V to power the controllers. This second port can be whatever type you want, another ethernet port, a phone port, anything that has 2 or more pins/wires.
I'll update this guide when I actually do it myself with some real life pictures! (ETA, edit:When I ever find time to finish. Hopefully this summer.)
Thanks for looking, and feel free to ask questions if anything is unclear.
How to build:
(edit to fix broken links)
Original pictures by Bacteria and 4rank
This works great if you want to include the controller ports in the main unit, like MarshallH did:
No idea if he did this mod, I just used his pic for reference.
However, I'm building an external controller breakout pod, something like this:
(Shameless quick 'shop of this picture. Credit to FireTime.)
A breakout pod would be desirable because it will help reduce system size while retaining full console functionality. It will connect to my portable using a LOB64 interface plus another generic port to carry 3.3V to the controllers and the microswitch signal back to the N64. A second port is needed because the LOB64 standard doesn't have any extra pins. If you want to make an external pod with auto P1 controller switching, build the switching mechanism the same way as described above, but with two changes. Wire the controller ports to connect to the N64p through a LOB64 port, one on your portable and one on the breakout pod. On the second port pair, wire the microswitch for autosensing and +3.3V to power the controllers. This second port can be whatever type you want, another ethernet port, a phone port, anything that has 2 or more pins/wires.
I'll update this guide when I actually do it myself with some real life pictures! (ETA, edit:When I ever find time to finish. Hopefully this summer.)
Thanks for looking, and feel free to ask questions if anything is unclear.