NESp Version 2 - The pNESp

[TheOnlyOneHeFears]

Well, it's been a while since I've made a portable, and as I've got about 14 weeks in which to do nothing now (having finally finished my A-Levels), I thought I'd dust off my soldering iron and start again! I've got lots of stuff planned for the summer, but I thought I'd ease myself back into the way of portables with another simple NESp, although this time I hope to make it a lot better than my other one (which was technically fine I suppose, but VERY bulky - it wasn't called the bulky NESp for nothing ya know )

I've got quite a lot of the planning done, and I've managed to acquire most of the parts already (including an Intec screen pad for a steal at about £5), so I can go ahead and make the thing in the next couple of weeks

Forgive the hideousness of the concept below, I know it's probably the worst Paint monstrosity ever created, but I just wanted to get a rough idea of positioning and give you guys an idea about how it's going to look



The case is a Logitech PSP hard case, which is just the right size for the screen, controls and NOAC board. I got two, just in case I make a mistake with the old Dremel (which I probably will end up doing )



The screen, standard 4Gamers LCD controller (they all have pretty much the same guts)



Car power adapter (which reminds me, I need to actually test the screen first )



I sold out and followed the trend for these new-fangled squishy tact switches to make it more NES-like, I wasn't massively keen on the overt clickyness of my older NESp's tact switch controls. Having said that, I'll probably still need to use some larger tact switches for the D-Pad or something



That's all I've got for now, stay tuned for more updates!

[themadhacker]

I have one of those psp cases. Looks like I have a use for it now.

[TheOnlyOneHeFears]

I have one of those psp cases. Looks like I have a use for it now.

Haha, don't go stealing my ideas

Very quick update just to say the screen is tested and working, which was a relief (not like it was particularly expensive though )



NES controller board, stripped and ready to go



NOAC, standard Power Player thing, it's pretty small as it is but I'm going to need to desolder the cart connector to fit it into the case

[TheOnlyOneHeFears]

More updates, got quite a lot done yesterday



Re-instated work area in the garage, it's a lot neater than the old one but it certainly won't be for much longer



My trusty desoldering pump, UK style and the NOAC



One half of the cart slot desoldered



Both sides done



Cart slot and NOAC board separated. The whole process took about 5 minutes and it was a lot easier/quicker than I had thought it would be, the electric desoldering pump really helped



Screen, ready for disassembling



With the back taken off. I was expecting the controller board to be on a separate PCB, but it's all on one large one, which is a bit of a problem as it's currently too big to fit into the case. I'll probably try to cut it down, or I'll use another screen with a smaller board



Screen testing, it still works!



System test, minus controls, all good to go! I had to work out a pinout for the screen manually because this version isn't as well documented as some, I'll post it up at some point (it's very simple, only 6 wires)



Funtime indeed! (sorry for the blurriness!)

So, next stop, the case! Until next time

~TOOHF

[kylechu]

Yeah, a psp hard case is a great idea for a ready made portable case.

I think I'll be stealing... borrowing this idea.

[Cotter]

Nice! I'm interested in watching this progress. Expect some PMs as soon as I get my materials.

[L4nd0]

good work so far
im really interested to see how this turns out

[FadedDelta]

very different... but in a good way. very ingenious to use the psp hardcase. niiice idea. will be watching this thread.

[J.D]

hahaha...pNES...P...I'm so immature... Good job so far!

[Biased]

Where can one acquire such tact switches? I know google is my friend here but I'm too lazy to dig into it very deeply.

[argelfraster]

Biased - http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... =EG4346-ND" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
TheOnlyOneHeFears - How is this project going?

[Biased]

Biased - http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea ... =EG4346-ND" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
TheOnlyOneHeFears - How is this project going?

The funny thing is I DID see those when I was looking for soft tact switches I guess it just didn't register with me as being the same ones . 500,000 is a good life cycle for tact switches on a portable, right?