Worklog Jeff's Wii Micro

[jefflongo]

I'm happy that I've finished my portable, but I'm not a huge fan of taking it to smash tournaments. For this reason I've decided to make a Wii micro (inspired by @Gman ). This build will have the following features

• Trimmed Wii motherboard (retaining the USB and AV out port on the board)
• Powered by micro USB
• GC ports (duh)
• No bluetooth (who plays Wii games anyway?)
• 3D printed enclosure

and that's pretty much it. The goal of this build is to create a quality product with minimal effort for the lowest price possible. Start to finish this should only be $75 for everything. Here's what I've got so far:


Trimmed board with U10 relocated


The forbidden Gman level wiring

 

[Noah]

Nice! Shoot me a PM here or on Discord, I actually designed a Smash themed Wii micro myself a while back, I'd love to go over design ideas. Also I have an extra PowerMii Lite if you want a cleaner install.

 

[Nold]

I'm actually working on something like this as a side-project, too
Sadly my trimmed Wii's don't want to participate in this project <.< ...

 

[cheese]

ayy my stack of wiis would love to participate. If only they were 4 layers ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I'm happy that I've finished my portable, but I'm not a huge fan of taking it to smash tournaments. For this reason I've decided to make a Wii micro (inspired by @Gman ). This build will have the following features

• Trimmed Wii motherboard (retaining the USB and AV out port on the board)
• Powered by micro USB
• GC ports (duh)
• No bluetooth (who plays Wii games anyway?)
• 3D printed enclosure

and that's pretty much it. The goal of this build is to create a quality product with minimal effort for the lowest price possible. Start to finish this should only be $75 for everything. Here's what I've got so far:

View attachment 5177
Trimmed board with U10 relocated

View attachment 5178
The forbidden Gman level wiring

I'm brand-new to this. I've been reading as much as I can before attempting my first trim. I like the idea of leaving the USB and video connectors on the board. Is the wiring any different from doing the full trim?

 

[jefflongo]

I'm brand-new to this. I've been reading as much as I can before attempting my first trim. I like the idea of leaving the USB and video connectors on the board. Is the wiring any different from doing the full trim?

It's no different. Though I wouldn't really recommend it for a portable because then you are constrained where your motherboard, cooling setup, USB ports, and AV out has to be in the case. For this build it doesn't matter so much because I'm not adding other peripherals. But if you want to do it like this you can just leave them on the board when you trim. I guess the only thing I can think of is that you will definitely need to power the preamp or remove the preamp and connected the audio in to audio out lines to get audio since the board is no longer powered by 12v.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

It's no different. Though I wouldn't really recommend it for a portable because then you are constrained where your motherboard, cooling setup, USB ports, and AV out has to be in the case. For this build it doesn't matter so much because I'm not adding other peripherals. But if you want to do it like this you can just leave them on the board when you trim. I guess the only thing I can think of is that you will definitely need to power the preamp or remove the preamp and connected the audio in to audio out lines to get audio since the board is no longer powered by 12v.

Wow! That was a fast reply!
My goal isn't to have a battery-powered portable with controls, screen etc. I'm thinking of making a much smaller version of a standard Wii with most of the ports and bluetooth intact, powered by 5v (to eliminate the huge wallwort) and integrate leds into the case instead of a separate sensor bar.

 

[Matthew]

Wow! That was a fast reply!

Only way we know how.

 

[jefflongo]

Wow! That was a fast reply!
My goal isn't to have a battery-powered portable with controls, screen etc. I'm thinking of making a much smaller version of a standard Wii with most of the ports and bluetooth intact, powered by 5v (to eliminate the huge wallwort) and integrate leds into the case instead of a separate sensor bar.

Definitely make a worklog so you can get feedback and advice on your design. Best of luck!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Definitely make a worklog so you can get feedback and advice on your design. Best of luck!

Now that I read your post in detail, it looks like I'll have basically what you and Gman call a "Micro". I'm guessing the wiring will be slightly different than the standard cut. I also noticed that you guys build a sub-board that contains the regulators. Any pointers would be appreciated before I butcher this thing! ;-)

 

[jefflongo]

Now that I read your post in detail, it looks like I'll have basically what you and Gman call a "Micro". I'm guessing the wiring will be slightly different than the standard cut. I also noticed that you guys build a sub-board that contains the regulators. Any pointers would be appreciated before I butcher this thing! ;-)

I suggest you ask questions in a worklog of your own that way you can get responses tailored to you. There's also info about regulators in the guide section.

 

[jefflongo]

Regulators ✓



Full wiring (currently using a GC power board for 5v while I wait for my micro usb ports to arrive lol)


Let there be light

 

[Stitches]

Regulators ✓

View attachment 5222

Full wiring (currently using a GC power board for 5v while I wait for my micro usb ports to arrive lol)
View attachment 5223

Let there be light
View attachment 5224

I like that elegant arrangement for the regulators. Totally stealing that.

 

[jefflongo]

Another update cause I got the urge to work on this again when I woke up:

Controller ports done, just need to get the micro usb port, a better power switch, and design the case

 

[jefflongo]

Micro USB ports have arrived. The 5V line is at 4.65V when booted and powered by 10W AC adapter, hopefully this is fine. All that is left is the getting a better power switch, the case, and the cooling. I'm currently working on modelling the components in the case. Hoping to start test printing this weekend.

 

[jefflongo]

All internal components modelled, case design will follow soon.

 

[jefflongo]

Finished the design for the case. It will be printed in three separate pieces. Test prints soon!

 

[jefflongo]

Printed the first of the three parts of the case. Everything came out pretty well! Hoping to finish this up by the end of the week.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I snagged a cooling fan from an old laptop for my build. Obviously, I can't keep doing that for the future! Is your cooling system and off-the-shelf product? Voltage requirement?

 

[jefflongo]

I snagged a cooling fan from an old laptop for my build. Obviously, I can't keep doing that for the future! Is your cooling system and off-the-shelf product? Voltage requirement?

I'm using a 35x35x7mm 5v fan which pulls air from the top of the case and pushes it through a 35x35x7mm heatsink. There is a 70x35mm copper plate on top of them with thermal paste in between.