Worklog "Tool64" my first Portable ever!!!

[CalebPikmin]

Hey guys, this is going to be my first portable and I am super new and probably will end up hurting myself and the parts I use. My case will be made up of two different sides of a two screwdriver set cases (hence the name, ",Tool64"). I love the color of the green so if it doesn't work with the size of the N64 motherboard then I might have to improvise (or use that case for something else because I really love the color/ love the opening up/locking aspect to get into my portable). I will also be providing updates to this thread and asking follow up questions as well. I have a screen that I could use but fear it might draw to much power/not work for audio/video (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W5WB26H/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apap_SxsDqU8C9PeF3). Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions to other parts or things/tools to purchase then please let me know! PM or respond anytime. Seriously.. I will be desperate haha. Thanks y'all! I am also using the N64 portable guides found here: . Let me know if this is a good guide to follow for a newbie like me! Thanks for any feedback!

 

[CalebPikmin]

N64 Project List:

N64 Motherboard:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Genuin...board-Nintendo-64-N64-NUS-CPU-0X/193182429250

Solder Iron
https://www.radioshack.com/products/25w-soldering-iron

Multimeter
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tester-TR...age-Diodes-6000-Multimeter-Temperat/605746963

Lead Free
https://www.ebay.com/i/382650288165...Yaxj5-FsL9WlDasq7zsClctKU-Bnz7WsaArNXEALw_wcB

Flux Pen
https://www.ebay.com/itm/951-Soldering-Flux-Pen-Low-Solids-No-Clean-10ml-for-PCB-Solar-Cells-US/233326273595?epid=17026946544&_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item365354643b:g:~JQAAOSws6ldZ~4t

PTH08080
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...13.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=PTH08080&_sacat=0

On/On switch button
https://www.ebay.com/itm/IndusTec-R...729008?hash=item4200c4a5b0:g:ZuIAAOSw57xc1f6V

4-3 screen
https://www.buydisplay.com/4-3-800x480-ips-tft-lcd-module-all-viewing-optl-touchscreen-display

Batteries (x4)
https://www.imrbatteries.com/sony-murata-vtc6-18650-3000mah-15a-battery/

Possible 3D printer to invest in for cases:
https://www.creality3d.shop/products/creality3d-ender-5-diy-3d-printer-kit-220-220-300mm

Let me know what y'all think of my project list so far. And what I am missing or if you think I should invest in other items instead of the ones on the list. Thanks!

Also should I buy this? Or do I need power management? I see the N64 Power Management System board on the BitBuilt website as well. Would that be required for me to charge and play? Or can I just use a guide to wiring the off/on switch in a way that would allow for the power to charge and play at the same time?

 

[E64]

N64PMS will let you charged and play

 

[CalebPikmin]

I have battery that I no longer use on my old Roomba robot vacuum. Would I be able to use this board for charging and supplying power to my N64 portable?

Edit:
Just got my board!

Cut outlined and red is where I have to be careful (thanks @E64 for the warning)!

 

[CalebPikmin]

Let me know how I did on my cut. It was the first time I've ever done one. Sanded the edged with 220 then 320.

Tight fit in case but should work

 

[CalebPikmin]

Alright my flip on off switch came in. Does anyone have a diagram or reference for a 6 pin switch?
This is the one I bought:

IndusTec Rocker Switch 6 - pin DPDT 2 Position 10A Maintained 12V 24V quick plug | eBay

Type: DPDT 2PDT DP2T. 6 PIN 2 POSITION MINI ROCKER. will latch lock where placed. one (1) Double Pole Double Throw 2 Pos MAINTAINING LATCHED LOCKED. 2 Position Function: On / On. High Quality, Light Weight Construction.

www.ebay.com

Like do I wire up all the connections on one side that need to be turned on like the screen, audio, and N64 board? And then as long as I have one wired to ground all the other things would turn on?

Sorry I am super new to wiring up things. Just not sure how to wire the flip switch to turn it all on and see if my N64 works still. Just wanted to test the trim out with a switch . See if it turns on and such.

Edit:
I think I found a good reference. Praying I wire it up right haha. Going to draw it out first though. A little nervous.

 

[The_Smeags]

You can supply your screen and amp off the 64 and regulator depending on the voltages needed. An easier route would be to use the 64 pms and a 2 pin switch.

 

[CalebPikmin]

You can supply your screen and amp off the 64 and regulator depending on the voltages needed. An easier route would be to use the 64 pms and a 2 pin switch.

I went ahead and drew up a diagram of how I would wire. It took me a bit to do because I am new at this haha! Would this be correct? Would I be able to power my N64 with the batteries and have a switch along with a charging port with this drawing?

 

[cheese]

No, that would blow the switch up when you switched it down
You would want to put the switch between the protection board and the regulator, something like this:

This is because the switches work like this (black line indicates those pins are connected together):

 

[Tron]

@cheese, I love your sketches. Besides being technically helpful, they are also super artistic!

 

[CalebPikmin]

Oh okay awesome! I am going to look into this when I get home then. Thank you Cheese!

 

[CalebPikmin]

No, that would blow the switch up when you switched it down
You would want to put the switch between the protection board and the regulator, something like this:
View attachment 12796

This is because the switches work like this (black line indicates those pins are connected together):
View attachment 12797

Sorry I know I am probably overthinking this but do I need to split the ground wire and just wire two separate ground wires to make a 3 way connection in the middle? Highlight in yellow:

 

[cheese]

As long as all those points are connected together, it doesn't matter how.

 

[CalebPikmin]

Okay awesome. So I can ground any of this connections to the ends as well just as long as they are together. Thank you cheese!

 

[CalebPikmin]

Quick update. I got the wiring done for the CMB board to batteries (went with 2 instead of 4 because of space constraints) and wired up the charging port. Next will be wiring the switch and the N64/3.3v and such.

I tested to make sure I was getting the 6.8v from both ends of the batteries from where the switch would be wired up! So good to go so far!

Got a few questions though so not sure if Cheese or someone could chime in ...

There looks to be a grounding pin on the charging port. Would I need to ground this before plugging in to the wall? Or would it be okay given the diagram that cheese provided with just the black and red wire?
I took a picture of my progress and you will see the pin (assuming it's the grounding pin) and the unwired taped down switch connection (black and red taped on to the case). Thanks in advance y'all!

 

[cheese]

Check what it's connected to with a multimeter on continuity mode, I don't think I've seen a barrel jack with three pins before

 

[CalebPikmin]

Check what it's connected to with a multimeter on continuity mode, I don't think I've seen a barrel jack with three pins before

Where would I need to place the multimeter connections to in order to check? Here are better shots of the port

 

[cheese]

I'd check if it's connected to either the positive or negative. If not, it may be connected to some bit of metal inside the port

 

[CalebPikmin]

I'd check if it's connected to either the positive or negative. If not, it may be connected to some bit of metal inside the port

Okay so the multimeter beeps when I touch the pin on the back to the small metal touch pad inside the port. Does this mean I need to wire the red wire to the pin sticking straight out on the back then? I am assuming the port would need this to supply power to the board to charge the batteries. Any thoughts? You can see the little metal piece on the inside beside the connector itself.

Edit: interestingly enough the black connector beeps as well when I touch the inside pad as well. So does that mean that I don't need to do anything to that 3rd pin? Or no I would still need to wire it together with the red or black wires on the back?

Double edit:
So the red wire when touch by my input for my multimeter beeps when touching the connection on the inside and not the pad.

So.. does that mean that the 3rd pin on the back is just a ground connection? Just ground that sucker out? Lol

Final edit (lol):
I found an article on it:
"Conductors in Dc Power Connectors
The standard dc barrel plug or jack has two conductors, one each for power and ground. Convention is for the center pin to be power and the outer sleeve to be ground, but reversing the connections is acceptable. Some power jack models include a third conductor which forms a switch with the outer sleeve conductor. One use of the switch function is to detect or indicate the insertion of a plug. Another use of the switch function is to select between power sources dependent upon whether a plug is or is not inserted into the jack."

I am not entirely sure what this means for me though...
Also the video explains it I think a little better:
But still begs the question of if I should wire up my cables differently.. I wish I had a electronics background or engineering but don't haha.

 

[cheese]

Ah ok, that's like headphone jacks then. So you don't need to wire anything to that extra pin, it's there to indicate that something was inserted into the jack, but if you just apply power to the charge board (which is what happens when you plug into the jack) it will start charging.