My FC Twin (SNES only) plus Polycase SL-64 project

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:13 pm

Hey guys. Its been a while since I posted anything. I moved to Japan and have spent the last year studying, so my time (and cash) is short. Nevertheless, I have been working on a new project here and there. My progress on this is going to be pretty slow, but I decided to upload some pics and at least get a thread started.

Since i'm in Japan, I decided that it would use SuperFamicom carts. These happen to be a little smaller than SNES carts (they are the same as the PAL SNES carts), so I could use the smaller SL-64 case. My main goals are to make this thing as small as possible, and to be able to charge via a USB port. If I can keep the power drain under 500mAh, it will be able to play while its charging. Screen size will be 3-3.5".

Components so far:
FC Twin, SNES board only
Polycase SL-64 case (6x4x1.1")

Here you can see the FC Twin system + video board draws 290mAh w/ cart. If I can find a screen that draws under 200mAh, charging-while-playing via USB will be no problem. You can also see my li-poly battery pack. It charges via USB, and outputs 5v. Thats the basis for the battery setup on this system.

The main board is very tiny, and fits entirely into the smaller part of the casing. I removed/flattened all the components, except for those two diodes at the front. I also re-worked the 2nd player port so that it fits flat on the board, and also is tucked back in.

Here is some more of the 2nd player port. I carefully notched the port and the case, so that it is locked tightly in place when closed. It will keep any strain off of the PCB when inserting a second controller.

I HATE tact switches except for start/select/R/L, so I decided to use another d-pad pcb and contact pad to shrink down the button assembly. Space on either side of the screen is going to be tight, but This will allow me to have OEM feeling buttons. These are just some rough initial trimmings.

A pic of the overall size of this case. It will be only a little thicker than 2 SFC carts. The bottom half of the cart will be enclosed in a sleeve, once I find a nice sheet of plastic I can heat into the right curved shape.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:07 pm

All I'm getting are broken links for the pictures.

Going from what you've written, it sounds like a kickass project. Your work is always top notch.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:23 am

Thanks man. I switched the pics to another host. And don't mind the pink carpet, its my girlfriends house

grossaffe · Post by **grossaffe** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 2:35 am

Looks nice, I hope it turns out well.

Sharp Sapphire · Post by **Sharp Sapphire** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:12 am

Looks very small.... where are you gonna fit the speaker/screen/batteries?

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:55 am

If I go with a 3" screen (I have one already, but the resolution is a little low), then I can fit it ok. A 3.5" screen should be doable, but it depends on how tight I want to make it and the size of the LCD border. The

The battery pack in the first pic actually contains two separate cells. There will be enough room to fit them between the system PCB and the buttons.

The start/select will go underneith the d-pad, and the speaker will go under the ABXY buttons. I decided on mono sound for size reasons, and also because stereo isn't that effective since its only 6" wide. There will be a headphone jack for real stereo though.

Valium · Post by **Valium** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:01 am

Beautiful so far, and from the looks of it, it'll stay that way.

When finished, will it be the smallest SnesP made here?

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:42 am

It's definitely one of the smallest. The Super Portendo by Turbo Tax is the closest I can think of. The SuperNESToGo by beanflip is another small one, but I don't recall if either has internal batteries.

The case you're using is simple and elegant, and I'm really digging how you're using the 2nd player port.

I was just thinking - if you didn't have enough space for your super amazing battery (which you've had for months, as I recall), one could use something like this voltage booster or some cheaper equivalent from TI or whatever to use just one 3.7v li-poly cell to get the needed 5v, assuming your screen can run off of such a low voltage. I know AEI Comp screens can. Rekarp's work on his Flashback-in-a-cart got me thinking about this, and with low draw systems like these SNES and NES clones it might be a good way to shed some size and weight from a system. Dimension Engineering's stats on their LVBoost says it's typically 85.6% efficient, up to 92% max while providing up to 800 mA current at 5v.

So what I guess I'm trying to say is if I were to copy you someday grahf, would that be a good idea?

project_failure · Post by **project_failure** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:42 am

I agree with you grahf stereo is not exactly noticeable when the speakers would be so close. Looks like this is going to turn out great.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:29 am

Life of Brian wrote:Portendo by Turbo Tax is the closest I can think of. The SuperNESToGo by beanflip is another small one, but I don't recall if either has internal batteries.

I actually own a SuperNEStoGo. He was nice enough to have another case made for me, and I put one together. It was NOT worth the money, on hindsight. It's nice, but not for the cost. I prefer polycases these days

. (Actually, my SuperNEStoGo DOES have internal batteries. Two tiny li-ion cells that last about 2 hours. I never posted it here since it's not really my work).

The battery pack I got <i>should</i> fit ok. In either case, I can use the PCB from it even if I don't use the cells. It has charging/voltage boost/protection circuitry all in one, so it's pretty good for a start. The "pocket power" batteries are getting pretty common, and they seem like great things to use for parts.

I did some work over the last few days. Finished rewiring the cart slot, and finally tested it. I also finished installing the d-pad, start/select and buttons in the case. R and L will be done later (still haven't decided on buttons). You can view my entire photo album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/rioninja/Projects" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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Space is at a premium, so I used a second controller d-pad PCB/contact pad for the ABXY buttons. I picked up a few controllers for $1 each.

The case is getting there. It's still going to need a more sanding, but Im happy with it so far. Everything is super solid, and both PCBs and contact posts on the inside mount using their original posts. Took me a long time trimming everything, but I think it was worth it.

Some views showing the overall size:

Crappy hipgear LCD test. (I've got a hipgear/GBO/Powerjoy project on the back burner).

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:42 am

It's so thin! I really hope all of the dimensions work out well.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:20 am

Everything should be ok (I hope!), I just need to figure out the screen. I was hoping to fit a 3.5" screen, but i'll have to settle for 3". I have a 3" RGB modded Casio EV680 screen on hand, that would fit fine, except its too thick. It's sandwiched, and measures about 1". I only have maybe 18~20mm to spare for a screen

. If I used the Casio screen I would have to have it protrude from the case, and I don't really want to do that. Or at least, I don't want it to protrude above the buttons.

In any case, i'm sure I can find something to fit. There are a lot of thin screens out there. Just gotta find one

. In the meantime, after I wire up the batteries/controller, I think i'm going to pop an s-video jack on there and play it on the TV. Sega MegaJet style

. It's been a while since i've played any SNES, and I picked up a few games since i've been in Japan.

lovablechevy · Post by **lovablechevy** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:29 am

it's looking amazingly awesome! can't wait to see more!

what are your thoughts on that specific case...? i've debated using it for a future project.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:00 am

Thanks

It's a great case. Since it's not that wide though, space for screen/buttons is kinda tight.

grahf · Post by **grahf** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:23 am

I did a little more work over the last few weeks. Not much, just found myself a nice curved piece of plastic to make the cart slot cover with. I gave it a bit of trimming and bonded it together. It came out pretty good. Needs a bit more sanding and some epoxy for filler around the bottom/sides.

I also finished the d-pad and ABXY controls. Still have to do the LR and Start/Select. I did the PCBs in the same way as my last few portables: drilling through the board with a tiny bit and soldering. I do it this way so the wires don't interfere with the rubber contact pad. Works pretty good

.

Also, here is a random pic of an official Nintendo GB Memory Cartridge". As far as I know it can't be programmed with most "other" backup systems, but it has Kirby on it so it was worth the ~$10

.