GameCubeMini ~ Worklog

[unicycler17]

I'm still waiting on my wii classic to come, so I can do a comparison on the boards and the L and R triggers.

I got two classics today and my friend sold me a mini madcatz wireless controller. The Madcatz controllers don't have the c stick on a seperate board, which can make things harder, but they have a single trigger assembly that is easy to relocate. I haven't opened up either classic yet.... I'm gonna test how well they actually work first.

EDIT: played some super mario sunshine with the classic controller these triggers suck. If you push the R trigger far enough for it to respond, it's already clicking. There was a teeny tiny little space where you could get it to react, but not click, but it's not nearly the quality of a trigger you would want in a portable. I think the madcatz microcon is the best controller choice out there for a portable.

I'm probably going to use one of these classic controllers, but use madcatz triggers and maybe even different abxy buttons.

[zenloc]

The link I posted was for the Microcon and the buttons are indeed smaller than the normal version of that controller.

Also the wii classic controller trigger need to be slightly modified to be able to use them properly. This due to the analog slider not being fully used properly.

[Tchay]

The link I posted was for the Microcon and the buttons are indeed smaller than the normal version of that controller.

Also the wii classic controller trigger need to be slightly modified to be able to use them properly. This due to the analog slider not being fully used properly.

that really sucks. I knew there would be a catch.

[Bush]

Can they still be used?

[zenloc]

Yes they can. I'll try to show you what I mean when I have some time.

[Bush]

Thanks! Take all the time you need.

[zenloc]

Have been very busy so not much progress.

So I've been messing around with heatsink options and have ordered a bunch of them from pchub.com

Here are a couple of options I bought:


After much though and testing I have found the perfect solution. The IBM-Thinkpad-380Z-2635-HGA-Cooling-Fan. After some cutting and milling measuring at 8.5mm x 106.5mm x 50mm with a built-in 5v fan I present to you the smallest, thinnest and lightest heatsink for the gamecube!!




The fan takes cold air from the top and blows warm air out the side. The 5v fan also works of 3.3v (which I have it running on). I have two of them and both of them don't make that much noise. Since they are used they probably make more sound then when there new. The heatsink itself doesn't get warm at all and neither does the gamecube motherboard. I used the original pads from an original heatsink to transfer the heatfrom the chips to the new heatsink. It works perfectly. I have been playing for hours on end and it never... I repreat NEVER get's hot!! The heatsink is also super light because it's made of thin aluminium. Perfect for portables.

I have also tried small copper ram heatsinks with a thin fan but copper is just overkill for something like this. Also I needed to buy seperate parts from all over to get a complete setup. Go to http://pchub.com/uph/laptop/88-7628-428 ... -Fan-.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;? if you are interested in one. It's only $6.67 a piece. Buy more and they get cheaper!!

Here's my setup:




Many thanks to Tchay for the link to pchub.com!!

[zenloc]

Another little update. Changed the heatsink design to fit in this case as the shoulder buttons were getting in the way of the other heatsink I sound. I plan on using the otherone for my mass produced gamecubemini.









It's a tight fit but everything can fit into the case. The fan I'm using is 6mm thick as is the whole heatsink (even smaller than the other one)

Hopefully next week I'll be able to do a test run with the gamecube in place. I'll post any new progress.

[TheMellon]

Wow, keep up the great work, it looks awesome!!

[zenloc]

Been busy rewiring everything to the VIA's.

Here's a pinout for anybody interested. I edited Techknott's pics from Ashen's cutting guide:



Ashen maybe you could add this to your guide.

NOTE!!! the discdrive pinouts are wii connector pinouts!!! so no need to mess about with finding what the wii pin is. Just wire the wiidrive connector according to this pinout with the eject switch and your set.

[zenloc]

Little update on wiring:





The bottom pic shows how I rewired the controller transistors. You rewire it with the help of the diagram of the via pinouts and then connect the player data line from the controller to matching player data line on the transistor.

[Snow_Cat]

^ ^ ^ ^ I like your methods.

[zenloc]

Here's another update. Board is fully rewired and 100% working:






Here's a little video of it in action. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0lKnf-pbbY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[zenloc]

Here are some more pics. Also almost complete with the case.

[zenloc]

Update!!

Case has first layer of paint on it. Now need to sand and fill in any gaps and repaint. The GC logo I cut out will be the fan opening. It will have a grill behind it.







Note that the paint won't look like it is now. It's still rough and will be refined after all the gaps are filled.