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Reciever/Charger for Wireless Genesis, SNES, and NES Controllers

All > Tech > Hacks/Mods > Reciever/Charger for Wireless Genesis, SNES, and NES Controllers by emptyset

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The goal of this project was to create a receiver with an integrated charger for all of the wireless controllers I've made. I have produced two versions, both of which are described below.

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This is the first option. It is a dual channel reciever/charger. The schematic pictured is only for player 1 because player 2 is an identical circuit. The left half of the circuit is the receiver. It is virtually unchanged from the design by Mark Feldman.

At the bottom right corner of the schematic is the charging circuit. It is centered around a MAX1811 IC. It can charge one controller at a time, and will ensure that the battery is charged safely. Each charge circuit has an indicator LED.

At the top right corner of the schematic is the LED driver. Instead of a single bi-directional LED to show connection status, I used a dual sided LED array (detailed later). The driver delivers a steady ~180mA to one side of the array. It is centered around a LM317 variable voltage regulator and two transistors to select red or blue.

This is a fairly complicated solution but I really like the way it looks when completed. It is the one I am currently using, pictured at the top.

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This is the LED array that mounts onto the main PCB. Each side has 10 red and 10 blue leds, drawing a total of 200mA. It is powered by variable voltage regulators on the board. The left side indicates Player 1 status (red - no connection, blue - connected), the right side player 2.

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PART LIST:

22pF ceramic capacitor x4 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/2zp46s
4.7uF electrolytic cap x2
2.2uF crossover cap x2 - from Radioshack http://tinyurl.com/27e9a9

6.2 ohm 1/2 watt resistor x2 - http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/One_Half_W_Resistors.html
4.7k ohm 1/4 watt resistor x4 - http://www.allelectronics.com/matrix/One_Quarter_W_Resistors.html
330k ohm 1/4 watt resistor x2
680k ohm 1/4 watt resistor x2

Generic NPN transistor x4 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/2em5tb
LM317 variable voltage regulator x2 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/2rg8l9
MAX1811 - http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/2536/t/or (free samples)

PIC16F84A x2 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/2v88t5
20mHz crystal x2 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/33jxo2
434 mHz transmitter x1 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/yrulyo
315 mHz transmitter x1 - from Sparkfun http://tinyurl.com/3ymvkn
antenna wire x2 - any spare wire will work

Panel mount LED x2 - from Radioshack http://tinyurl.com/2958ut
3.5mm mono jack x1
2.5mm mono jack x1
Gamecube plug x2 - Get some used wired controllers or extension cords from EB games/Gamestop or ebay
Clear project box x1 - From allelectronics.com http://tinyurl.com/27wnul

LED array x1
1206 SMT red LED x20 - dome lens: http://tinyurl.com/24psea OR flat lens: http://tinyurl.com/ypf69r
1206 SMT blue LED x20 - dome lens: http://tinyurl.com/22mzjk OR flat lens: http://tinyurl.com/yv6sxh

FILES TO DOWNLOAD:

The gerber for the main board is here: http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/4/3/951084/2Ch%20Reciever.zip
The gerber for the array is here: http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/4/3/951084/LED%20Array.zip
The ASM code for the PIC's is here: http://www.ppl-pilot.com/receiver.asm
The HEX version is available here: http://www.ppl-pilot.com/receiver.hex

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The project is fairly self explanatory, so I will only cover some of the main points.

Step 1: Solder MAX1811's on first.
Step 2: Program PIC's

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Step 3: Solder everything but the receivers. 4.7uf caps and LM317 should be flat on the board.
Step 4: Remove original pins from receivers. Solder spare bits of leads from other components in their place. The new pins should face away from the side with the xtal.
Step 5: Solder receivers to the PCB. They should lay flat. The xtal should face up.
Step 6: Solder LEDs onto the array.
Step 7: Solder spare bits of leads to connect the array to the main board.
Step 8: Install the LED array. Notches on top should face the back of the project box where the cord will come in.
Step 9: Test it.
Step 10: Desolder the gamecube plugs.
Step 11: Drill holes in project box. I eyed them for the most part. Charger plugs should line up with the notches on the LED array.
Step 12: Feed the gamecube plugs through the hole you drilled in the project box.
Step 13: Solder them back into place.
Step 14: Install panel mount LEDs and charger plugs into lid. Solder them in.
Step 15: Slide completed assembly into the enclosure.
Step 16: Feed antenna wires out the hole for the gamecube plugs.
Step 17: Test again.
Step 18: Screw lid down, and enjoy.

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This is the completed project. In this shot you can see the the jack used for charging. One is a 3.5mm mono jack for the sega controller. The other one is 2.5mm for NES and SNES controllers. The LEDs on the front are the indicator lights for the two chargers.

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This is the second option. It is a single channel receiver/charger. It has indicator LED's for charge status and connection status.

The board is mostly self-explanatory. Just solder everything in place and enjoy.

Top Side:
LED1: Bi-Directional LED - indicates connection status
LED2: Regular LED (I used red) - indicates charge status
PLAYER_1: Gamecube plug - colors are for official Nintendo cords
RXB1: Wireless receiver - 434mHz or 315mHz
PIC: PIC16F84A - program it before you solder

Bottom Side (not pictured):
IC: MAX1811 - solder this on first


Whichever version you choose, the zips can all be sent directly to BatchPCB.

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