drum6789
.
Hey all, first project. I got into the idea of portablizing as a kid when I picked up Ben Heck's book and tried to build a portable NES. I did not get very far, but now that I'm older with disposable income and a slightly better attention span, I wanted to give this a proper attempt. I'm starting with a step below full-on portabilizing since my experience soldering so far has mostly been messing around on old electronics from goodwill.
The idea is to make a desktop arcade "cabinet" - a Wii with a modified Miicro trim (as I have a 4 layer board) wired up to a screen and speakers built into a custom case. I don't plan on doing any relocations to simplify this first project, and focus on this mostly as a GameCube machine and an emulator. Also accepting name suggestions, "Desktop Arcade Wii" is a bit wordy.
As for the case itself, I have mocked up a concept as a first attempt as I'm also learning Fusion 360. I may just end up frankencasing this into a box to start. I really liked the idea of adding a sensor bar into the cabinet and being able to play Wii games, but trying to prevent scope creep. See the attached photo.
Progress:
- Acquired two Wiis from goodwill, expecting that I would need a backup
- First attempt at relocating U10 was ruined by a short, and then I broke a pin trying to detach it to fix the short. I then broke a pin trying to relocate U9. Turns out the backup Wii was needed immediately lol. But was able to use U10 and successfully complete the relocation, and I learned a valuable lesson about how to be gentle with components on the board .
- Relocated Wii boots - I know is a small step for some but it makes this project feel legitimate and possible to me now.
- Next up - the trim.
I'll posts some pics of the trim hopefully tomorrow. I realize doing a custom trim is ambitious for a first project, but I figured since the Miicro (and the adapted version I planned for the 4 layer) is well outuside the OMGWTF trim, if I am not successful I can retry with a proper OMGWTF trim. Once I know I can actually get the trim working, I'll feel a lot more confident about concrete plans for the rest of the project (screen, dimensions, etc).
The idea is to make a desktop arcade "cabinet" - a Wii with a modified Miicro trim (as I have a 4 layer board) wired up to a screen and speakers built into a custom case. I don't plan on doing any relocations to simplify this first project, and focus on this mostly as a GameCube machine and an emulator. Also accepting name suggestions, "Desktop Arcade Wii" is a bit wordy.
As for the case itself, I have mocked up a concept as a first attempt as I'm also learning Fusion 360. I may just end up frankencasing this into a box to start. I really liked the idea of adding a sensor bar into the cabinet and being able to play Wii games, but trying to prevent scope creep. See the attached photo.
Progress:
- Acquired two Wiis from goodwill, expecting that I would need a backup
- First attempt at relocating U10 was ruined by a short, and then I broke a pin trying to detach it to fix the short. I then broke a pin trying to relocate U9. Turns out the backup Wii was needed immediately lol. But was able to use U10 and successfully complete the relocation, and I learned a valuable lesson about how to be gentle with components on the board .
- Relocated Wii boots - I know is a small step for some but it makes this project feel legitimate and possible to me now.
- Next up - the trim.
I'll posts some pics of the trim hopefully tomorrow. I realize doing a custom trim is ambitious for a first project, but I figured since the Miicro (and the adapted version I planned for the 4 layer) is well outuside the OMGWTF trim, if I am not successful I can retry with a proper OMGWTF trim. Once I know I can actually get the trim working, I'll feel a lot more confident about concrete plans for the rest of the project (screen, dimensions, etc).
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