Worklog MasterNate's First Wii Portable

[MasterNate]

I hate to even ask this question because there will be a bunch of stupod comments, but here goes. I got my batteries from Japan, but they are not charged. How would I charge them and how do I know when they are done?

 

[Spencer Richardson]

I hate to even ask this question because there will be a bunch of stupod comments, but here goes. I got my batteries from Japan, but they are not charged. How would I charge them and how do I know when they are done?

Did you get 18650 cells? If so, you'll need a smart charger and a battery protection circuit(this will make sure you don't over charge or over discharge them). There are links for both in the BOM.

Edit: there's also things like this that are convenient to charge the cells. https://www.ebay.com/itm/232256964151
That's just an example, and I know you can find something much cheaper. Just be careful if you are using the 18650 li ion cells. They can be pretty dangerous if not handled correctly.

 

[MasterNate]

I do have a protection circuit. I have 4 18650 cells in series with each other. They are in a case like the one in the ebay link, but it just connects the batteries and integrates a protection circuit. It does not charge them. The smart charger in the BOM is for 7.4v not 14.8v. Does that make a difference?

 

[jefflongo]

I do have a protection circuit. I have 4 18650 cells in series with each other. They are in a case like the one in the ebay link, but it just connects the batteries and integrates a protection circuit. It does not charge them. The smart charger in the BOM is for 7.4v not 14.8v. Does that make a difference?

Yes, you need a charger designed for your desired voltage.

 

[MasterNate]

Ok thanks. I will be sure to order a 14.8v smart charger. But how do I wire it to my batteries? Do I just connect the positives and grounds to each other?

Does it matter the amperage of the charger? I know higher amps mean less charging time. But could i hurt the batteries with a higher amp charger?

 

[GingerOfOz]

You will need a charging port. Some chargers come with one.

 

[MasterNate]

I have two wires coming out of my batteries. One is positive. One is ground. I know I have to put positive and ground into my wii. Where does the charger fit in the circuit?

 

[GC64]

I have two wires coming out of my batteries. One is positive. One is ground. I know I have to put positive and ground into my wii. Where does the charger fit in the circuit?

You wire the + and - of your batteries to B+ and B- of your protection circuit and your charger to P+ and P- of the PCB. This way, your batteries wont overcharge.

 

[MasterNate]

This is what I am using. The protection circuit is already integrated into the bottom part where the wires are coming out. How would I wire a charger to this? Should I post a picture of the exposed protection circuit to help?

And @GC64 what PCB are you talking about?

 

[GingerOfOz]

Look at this diagram. https://bitbuilt.net/forums/index.php?threads/charge-and-play.334/
The wires coming out of your holder are power and ground from the PCB, which is connected to your batteries. A charging port will have two prongs coming out of it - one for power and the other for ground. (If it had 3 then there are probably 2 grounds). DO NOT MESS WITH THE PCB.

As a side note, when you do get a charger, you will need to wire your battery circuit up to something to drain the batteries a little bit. The PCB won't let the batteries charge until some kind of load is put on the system.

 

[MasterNate]

I was taking apart the faceplate of my wii. I found something that i didnt recognize. What is this? It was surrounding the disc drive.

 

[DeoNaught]

I was taking apart the faceplate of my wii. I found something that i didnt recognize. What is this? It was surrounding the disc drive.
View attachment 3046

its the blue lights, its not needed

 

[MasterNate]

Do they output infared? I know this is a weird question, but i was thinking about using them as a sensor bar

 

[cheese]

Do they output infared? I know this is a weird question, but i was thinking about using them as a sensor bar

Nah, just blue light. You know how the wii drive lights up when certain things happen? That's because of these leds.

 

[Spencer Richardson]

Do they output infared? I know this is a weird question, but i was thinking about using them as a sensor bar

Nah, they're just the blue leds for the disk drive. (It lights up and what not when you put a disk in.)

Edit: cheese beat me with a better answer. Haha

 

[MasterNate]

Ok. I am just going to put in infared lights to act as a sensor bar. I was just wondering if i could save money and see if these would suit that purpose.

 

[DeoNaught]

Ok. I am just going to put in infared lights to act as a sensor bar. I was just wondering if i could save money and see if these would suit that purpose.

I don't think those are bright enough.....

But try it, tell me if it works please

 

[GingerOfOz]

I don't think those are bright enough.....

But try it, tell me if it works please

I picked up 2 IRs for like 25 cents and they work perfectly, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[DeoNaught]

H

I picked up 2 IRs for like 25 cents and they work perfectly, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

His aren't Ir though, they are the blue notif ones inside of a wii, the one for the disk drive..

 

[Spencer Richardson]

H

His aren't Ir though, they are the blue notif ones inside of a wii, the one for the disk drive..

He's not using the blue ones? He said he is going to buy ir LEDs