My First Portable - The N65
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I've been inrigued by the idea of an N64 portable for quite a while now, spent a lot of time reading and preparing, and I'm wanting to actually give it a shot. Of course, I've got a few questions...
1. Starting with nothing but tools (soldering iron, solder, wire, vacu-form table, etc), how much would you estimate it will cost if I buy everything as cheaply as possible?
2. Where would you recommend buying materials? I know I can get an N64, maybe an expansion/rumble pack, and MAYBE a decent controller from a local thrift store, but I very much doubt I'll be able to pick up the batteries, a Psone screen, etc.
3. How many Wh does the N64 use? I know it depends on the game, so I plan mostly on using it for Smash Bro's (Nothing quite like good ol' N64 Smash...) I want to know how many hours of use I can expect depending on the batteries I buy...
4. Hey, that's important, too! What kind of batteries would you recommend? I'm not worried about exploding Li-Poly or Li-ion, so if those are best, I'll go with it.
5. For a first portable, how long (assuming I have all required materials) would it take to assemble?
Thanks for the help - any pointers you can offer will be much appreciated.
1. Starting with nothing but tools (soldering iron, solder, wire, vacu-form table, etc), how much would you estimate it will cost if I buy everything as cheaply as possible?
2. Where would you recommend buying materials? I know I can get an N64, maybe an expansion/rumble pack, and MAYBE a decent controller from a local thrift store, but I very much doubt I'll be able to pick up the batteries, a Psone screen, etc.
3. How many Wh does the N64 use? I know it depends on the game, so I plan mostly on using it for Smash Bro's (Nothing quite like good ol' N64 Smash...) I want to know how many hours of use I can expect depending on the batteries I buy...
4. Hey, that's important, too! What kind of batteries would you recommend? I'm not worried about exploding Li-Poly or Li-ion, so if those are best, I'll go with it.
5. For a first portable, how long (assuming I have all required materials) would it take to assemble?
Thanks for the help - any pointers you can offer will be much appreciated.
Last edited by Snipeye on Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- blaze3927
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Re: My first portable
screen- $25-$60
N64- $10-$30
Case- free - $20
controller- $2 - $80
Batteries & charger- $20 - $50
misc components & wire- $10 - $30
and you most likely will fry a n64, probably a screen, and maybe some batteries.
some people end up spending $400 on these things :\
ebay, radioshack, digikey are your best bets
i like these batteries very much: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12V-3500mAh-Lith ... 2c573b97b8 although you can now get higher amp hours for less but i havent used them so cant guarantee there not fake.
i think the n64 takes 2.7A on the 3.3V line and like 500mA on the 12v line, search the stickies and do the math
anywhere between 1 days ( very lucky and very experienced) to 60 plus hours of work.
Bes bets:
*don't try to make it too small to start off with, make it small but with room for comfort
*try to keep each component separate, so when you put it all together and your screen/batteries/n64 dies ts an easy swap.
*Be very careful when wiring the n64, if you short something you'll most likely kill the board.
*plan your case well.
N64- $10-$30
Case- free - $20
controller- $2 - $80
Batteries & charger- $20 - $50
misc components & wire- $10 - $30
and you most likely will fry a n64, probably a screen, and maybe some batteries.
some people end up spending $400 on these things :\
ebay, radioshack, digikey are your best bets
i like these batteries very much: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/12V-3500mAh-Lith ... 2c573b97b8 although you can now get higher amp hours for less but i havent used them so cant guarantee there not fake.
i think the n64 takes 2.7A on the 3.3V line and like 500mA on the 12v line, search the stickies and do the math
anywhere between 1 days ( very lucky and very experienced) to 60 plus hours of work.
Bes bets:
*don't try to make it too small to start off with, make it small but with room for comfort
*try to keep each component separate, so when you put it all together and your screen/batteries/n64 dies ts an easy swap.
*Be very careful when wiring the n64, if you short something you'll most likely kill the board.
*plan your case well.
Australian Kaillera server
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Re: My first portable
Alright, thanks for the info - how much juice does the psone screen use?
As for those batteries - they look alright, but I don't see dimensions anywhere.... It'd be nice to know how big it is.
I do plan on designing my case intelligently, but i don't plan on even starting that until I have all the components, so I know exactly how everything will fit.
As for those batteries - they look alright, but I don't see dimensions anywhere.... It'd be nice to know how big it is.
I do plan on designing my case intelligently, but i don't plan on even starting that until I have all the components, so I know exactly how everything will fit.
Re: My first portable
Sorry for the double post, I have another question...
I was wondering if there is any other type of screen I could use that accept composite video input? I have a couple of speakers I could use, but I have no clue what other kind of screen would work... the psone screen is looking like the most expensive part, and I'm trying to keep it a low budget project... (well, as low as I can, anyway)
I was wondering if there is any other type of screen I could use that accept composite video input? I have a couple of speakers I could use, but I have no clue what other kind of screen would work... the psone screen is looking like the most expensive part, and I'm trying to keep it a low budget project... (well, as low as I can, anyway)
Re: My first portable
Well, yeah, the psone screen is a nice sized screen fornot too much $, or, if you don't care for having a small screen, maybe pick up a 3.5" screen off ebay. Those are fairly cheap ($20-$35) and they take composite, so yay.
those are my suggestions
those are my suggestions
Markus
Re: My first portable
I've found a few screens that looks to be about right, if you guys think that one might be more likely to work than another, please point it out. Screens:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5-TFT-LCD-Color-S ... 19bfefd91b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apex-PD-450-Portabl ... 3cb14c58d3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Coby-TF-DVD5000-5-P ... 1c161917ce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-5-TFT-LCD-Color-S ... 19bfefd91b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Apex-PD-450-Portabl ... 3cb14c58d3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Coby-TF-DVD5000-5-P ... 1c161917ce" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: My first portable
Found a lot more, need more opinions.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Look-Nice-Used-GPX- ... 45f5c26cfa" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Look-Craig-7-LCD-Po ... 45f5c28b46" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Initial-IDM-1731-Po ... 4aa5177c4d" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Durabrand-DUR7-Port ... 35ace28f30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/AUDIOVOX-PORTABLE-D ... 35ace11e0b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/Dynex-DX-PDVD7-Port ... 43a21957b9" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://cgi.ebay.com/GoVideo-GVP-7811-Po ... 45f5cb7c32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: My first portable
Wow, triple post.
Anyway, I think I'm going to end up going with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-3-5-Inch-Car-T ... 3f03aaf169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Because of power reasons. 3.5" should still be enough (not for multiplayer, but whatever), and it uses roughy 1/6 the power when compared to a 4.3" widescreen LCD. It's coming together... slowly...
Anyway, I think I'm going to end up going with this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-3-5-Inch-Car-T ... 3f03aaf169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Because of power reasons. 3.5" should still be enough (not for multiplayer, but whatever), and it uses roughy 1/6 the power when compared to a 4.3" widescreen LCD. It's coming together... slowly...
- blaze3927
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Re: My first portable
3.5" is perfect for handhelds, 5" restricts you to a larger sized portable*.
*(unless your sifuf)
*(unless your sifuf)
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Re: My first portable
Lol - I looked at my iPod screen, I figured 'That's big enough,' - I don't need a massive screen to play n64. And this has a really good resolution for it's size, so I'll have a good quality screen. I just don't know if it's backlit, meaning I'll get to do some... interesting modding if it's not.
- blaze3927
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Re: My first portable
it is backlit, but you can led mod it if you really want to save some power.
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Re: My first portable
Alright, I ordered the parts a while ago, and I have a question:
The speakers I'm using take 3.0v, so I got a resistor to set the pwa8080wah or whatever (you know what I'm talking about) to 3.0v instead of 3.3.... will the n64 still run off that? Can I use that 3.0v to power both the n64 and the speakers?
The speakers I'm using take 3.0v, so I got a resistor to set the pwa8080wah or whatever (you know what I'm talking about) to 3.0v instead of 3.3.... will the n64 still run off that? Can I use that 3.0v to power both the n64 and the speakers?
Re: My first portable
use a 2k ohm resistor and 3v will come out of the pth reg. then you can run both. yay.
- gamax92
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Re: My first portable
- A PSONEP SCREEN
A IPOD SCREEN
A Ipod screen would be like looking at a portable with a lot of empty space on the front.
Plus The psonep screen can be replace with a slightly smally screen.
You get the volume control, brightness control, All the stuff you need aint on a ipod screen.
Its on the ipod mb.
If You Could Hack A Ipod To serve as a screen for portable. I'd be amazed.
Edit: i just relized you talking about the size of the screen. not the actual screen. Sorry.
Last edited by gamax92 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- gamax92
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Re: My first portable
Why Cant I Edit Last post.
N64 portable info
Troubleshooting Your N64
There is some important info that maybe valuable to you.
N64 portable info
Troubleshooting Your N64
There is some important info that maybe valuable to you.
Last edited by gamax92 on Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I DONT CARE ABOUT POST COUNT.
#DCE1E5 #ECECEC
I DONT CARE ABOUT POST COUNT.nevermind1534 wrote:By, I cringe every time I see a post by you, because of the immense number of useless comments that seem to be there for no reason other than to up your post count.
#DCE1E5 #ECECEC