New Ashida "Neo" Build - Need Help!

[Wolf800]

Hi all!

Starting a thread as I build my first-time portable. Fell in love with the Ashida but somewhere along the way I opted for the AliExpress components pathway (I think it came down to budget and getting a case I liked at a good price point). I've read all the 4Layer/Wesk guides, including full GingerofOz/Dubesintheshower videos and got a general idea of how components come together, but obviously the AliExpress components changes all that. I've been talking with them to get help but wanted to start a thread here as another resource for my questions.

Where I'm at: Need to clear coat my shell then that will be done, finished softmodding the wii, ready for the omgwtf trim.

Anyway, below are roughly all the components I've sourced from the AliExpress store and I need help starting to get an idea of how these pieces are connected. I mostly am trying to figure out if the battery holders get directly soldered to the power board, and then how the wii board will get connected to the power board such that I'll be able to confirm the wii board works post-trim.

Thanks everyone! Wish me luck, and excited to work with you all!

 

[cy]

Hello and welcome!

It sounds like you're off to a really good start so far! It's worth noting that the Aliexpress Ashida doesn't seem to have too many (if any) worklogs on the forums (if there are any, I haven't come across them). This does imply we probably lack some documentation for this build, so there may be some things you end up having to figure out on your own. Having said that, the information found in the Wii trimming guide will still be very relevant as will information found in other people's worklogs here on the forums. I would definitely recommend checking out some user threads and the Wii trimming guide that I linked if you haven't already. I also made a Wii micro soldering guide which you can find here. It has great information, tools, and advice on performing the more challenging parts of these Wii mods.

To answer your question about the battery holders, they appear to solder straight to the PCB like this:

As for the Wii, it looks like there's a designated spot for it once it gets trimmed, it looks like the screw holes line up here:

I'm looking forward to seeing this worklog come together! It'll be another great resource for the community given that we don't have too many worklogs on this variation of Ashida and whatnot. Please remember you can always ask the community if you have a question, need advice, or get stuck on something.

Good luck!

 

[EggoMyLego2]

What controller PCB is that? The only ones I've seen for sale are the black 4layertech ones and the green ones on aliexpress

 

[Wolf800]

What controller PCB is that? The only ones I've seen for sale are the black 4layertech ones and the green ones on aliexpress

It’s what I got off the aliexpress store, I assume it’s identical just a different color ‍♂️

 

[Wolf800]

Hello and welcome!

It sounds like you're off to a really good start so far! It's worth noting that the Aliexpress Ashida doesn't seem to have too many (if any) worklogs on the forums (if there are any, I haven't come across them). This does imply we probably lack some documentation for this build, so there may be some things you end up having to figure out on your own. Having said that, the information found in the Wii trimming guide will still be very relevant as will information found in other people's worklogs here on the forums. I would definitely recommend checking out some user threads and the Wii trimming guide that I linked if you haven't already. I also made a Wii micro soldering guide which you can find here. It has great information, tools, and advice on performing the more challenging parts of these Wii mods.

To answer your question about the battery holders, they appear to solder straight to the PCB like this:
View attachment 43922

As for the Wii, it looks like there's a designated spot for it once it gets trimmed, it looks like the screw holes line up here:

View attachment 43923

I'm looking forward to seeing this worklog come together! It'll be another great resource for the community given that we don't have too many worklogs on this variation of Ashida and whatnot. Please remember you can always ask the community if you have a question, need advice, or get stuck on something.

Good luck!

Thanks so much!

 

[Wolf800]

Sorry forgot to also ask for advice on where to buy batteries? I saw on other posts generally to avoid aliexpress but mine calls for 18650 but there are different versions within that so any advice?

 

[cy]

Sorry forgot to also ask for advice on where to buy batteries? I saw on other posts generally to avoid aliexpress but mine calls for 18650 but there are different versions within that so any advice?

Most people I know get Samsung 18650s from MABD Electronics, but their Samsung batteries are out of stock as of right now. The Samsung ones they sell only go up to 3500 mAh which means they'll give you less battery life. I would recommend finding some cells that go up to 4000 mAh or even higher if they're available. I'm haven't bought any of these batteries myself yet, so I'm not sure where you can get them. I believe @YveltalGriffin knows where to find the highest capacity 18650 cells available so maybe ask him.

 

[YveltalGriffin]

Here are the best cylindrical lithium-ion cells for portablizing applications, as of July 2026. All purchase links are from reputable online stores.

• Amprius SA110 (4000mAh 18650):

https://diy500amp.com/products/amprius-sa110-18650-battery-cell-4000mah-ultra-high-capacity

• Vapcell N41 (4050mAh 18650):

https://liionwholesale.com/products/vapcell-n41-18650-10a-flat-top-4050mah-battery-genuine

• Linkdata 65P (6500mAh 21700):

https://diy500amp.com/products/link...ell-6500mah-52a-high-capacity-high-power-cell

• BAK 65E (6500mAh 21700):

https://convoylight.com/products/bak-n21700cx-65e-21700-lithium-battery-6500mah-max-output-19a

• Vapcell F66 (6600mAh 21700):

https://www.vapcelltech.com/h-pd-329.html

Please check out this post for details about actual battery discharge curves.

TL;DR, all advertised mAh values are from discharging the cell down to 2.50V. Depending on your regulators and battery management system, the real usable capacity will be lower.

 

[Nold]

I'm a simple man.. i see trimmed heatsink, i like.

 

[Sdouyoulink]

I’ve looked into this kit, but I can’t find the firmware for the RTD2660H they’re using. The one they use supports YPbPr and audio. The only YPbPr-compatible display I’ve been able to find is the 5-inch one from Eyoyo. I have all the other components (the power board and NGC controller kit), along with the schematics, and I’ve built it myself—the cost was less than 50 RMB.