N64TISSIMO buildlog

[jjhammerstein]

I've been gathering parts for months now, and it's finally time to get to work.

What's going in my N64p:
PSOne screen
Expansion Pak (If I can manage)
2 controller slots
8000mAh batteries
Original power button
Copper heat dissipator (no fan)
No speakers, most likely. I hate when people have noisy portables.

Controls:
No L, No D-pad
C arrows replaced with "C-pad"
Orange button next to start to put C pad into screen mode (Alá Sifuf)
Probably use a GC stick

I'm hoping to come out with a portable that looks as much like the original console as possible.
Well, not EXACTLY. I want something that will look like Nintendo made it at the same time.


That's what I've got so far.
It's 9 5/8" wide.

And you say: "Oh, JJHammerstein! Why so wide?!"
"Because it has a side-mounting cart slot, of course!"
"So cool!"

I'm hoping to keep the grey shutters on the slot, because they're cool.

Since the whole shebang is so wide, it's going to end up being super duper thin. (That is, if I can find somewhere to stash my huge batteries.)

Waddaya think?

[thewise1]

Pretty nice idea, for mine I wanted to make it compatible with every game out there, that's why I have so much stuff on it. I've thought a bout a side ways cart slot because of all the stuff, but I thought it would get in the way of my Hand so I abandoned it.

All in all, a great looking portable. Can't wait to see the results.

[jjhammerstein]

If I wanted to, I could put a D-pad in, and steal the triggers from a PS controller.

Rumble seems like a generally BAD idea, I don't trust my construction enough to rattle it.
I'll probably put a memory card in somewhere, I just don't own one that works.

[thewise1]

I got a memory pak/rumble pak, you just need the hit the switch to switch between them, so even if I don't like I can just turn it off. So there will be no loss either because the memory pak actually has 1MB instead of 256KB. Plus it doesn't use batteries so there's no loss putting it into the portable. I don't think it will shake it up that much though.

[jjhammerstein]

I'll do a rumble LED if I come across a pak. There aren't any 64 games that really use it.
I haven't played any games that use a memory pak either though, heh.

FIRST QUESTION
I bought some magnet wire from Radiohut the other day. Will 22AWG copper wire work for cart relocation? should I use the thicker stuff for power? I imagine it will be fine for the cart, since it's thicker than the mobo traces that would bottleneck it. Am I an idiot?

[thewise1]

22AWG will be fine for pretty much anything, I used 28awg for my cart relocation and it works fine. For power I'm fairly certain 22awg will do you good, I know 20 is good.

And for the previous posts

There aren't any 64 games that really use it.

Games that use rumble

[XCVG]

It looks kind of like a game gear, ironically. Also, that is probably the most unique portable I've seen in a while. Thirdlyly, if space allows integrate a LOB64 port.

[jjhammerstein]

It only looks like a Game Gear because it's black and shaped like a brick.

Originality is the name of the game, my friend.

I won't be including an LOB64 port because I'm a recluse.
Well, kind of. I have a girlfriend of a year+, and plenty of friends, I dress well and have a good social life, but I will never see another N64P in my lifetime, I would bet.

[thewise1]

If only there was a thread where you could post what state or province you live in, then if anyone is in the same state they can ask towns over pm. If they're close they can meet.

I think in the long run that sounds like a bad idea. Getting every ones address, but still, I think just posting you're state or province would be fine. And pms should be your own business. Oh well.

[jjhammerstein]

Sooo much effort.
Plus, I'm totally not interested in meeting people to play N64 with.
If i wanted that, I'd just bring my N64p to school with a spare controller.
I could probably charge people to play with me. SSB or something, you know?

[thewise1]

Lol, yeah, That's why I'm making mine to double as a home console. If I want someone to play with then I'll just bring it somewhere. Problem is I need a lot of switches.

[jjhammerstein]

I accidentally bought 4 N64s for my project, on top of one I already owned. Don't ask.
Long story short, I already have a home console. 4 of them.

Throw some relay switches in instead, that way it automatically turns off the screen when the AV is plugged in.

[thewise1]

If I could figure out how to use one. Time for google!

[jjhammerstein]

So, I'll get started on the cart relocation tomorrow. I still haven't decide whether or not I want the top side of the N64 mobo facing the batteries or the screen mobo. If I put the hot side (top side) to the back, that would leave the smooth sides of both mobos against each other, by far the slimmest method. But then, my heat dissipators would be right up against my batteries. Maybe someone can clear this up for me.

What temperatures do the N64 chips put out?
Will it damage Lithium Polymer cells?

[DJ711]

Very cool, what did you use to design the case?