Bacteria's portable DreamCast handheld console - IntoDream

[jfe2]

I'm glad to see it's almost finished. I'm really excited to see the final product.

[spinksy]

Keep up the great work - cannot beleave how crammed in everything is.

[DNT 2.5]

Aren't you worried about overheating? playing my Dreamcast for Half an hour of more makes it hotter than any console I have owned, plus packing all of that That tightly, you could be looking at some issues.

[AmishSamurai]

That's why he's taping ice-packs to the case. Duh

[bacteria]

Had to spend time reducing the daughter board that connects the controller to the DC board, as the case won't shut. Desoldered the ribbon connector from a spare board, wired it to the main one, relocated it; relocated the capacitor and LED and flattened the resistor and fuse. Hope this all works ok...



Going to try again at closing this case down, it isn't easy! One side shuts ok, the other not at the moment!

One thing for sure, hard to see how a DC portable could be much smaller in length, breadth or height.

Yes, DNT, I am concerned about overheating. Running an unmodded DC for a while makes the back of the console warm, however of course there are metal plates over the system and only one fan to keep the system cool normally. The saving graces in my system will be three factors: (1) 4 fans not 1 (including one to pull air out of the system). (2) DC board sits on perspex rather than the PSone board, so will help to keep heat away a bit and help with a bit of airflow. (3) most importantly, using 7.4v not 12v. As has been illustrated before, running the DC off 7.4v not only uses significantly less amperage but also generates less heat. This might make a significant difference.

The combination of more fans and less heat generated by the system due to lower volts being used, are the two factors I am relying on to keep this baby a success. There is only way way to know the answer, and that is by stress test, which I will do, and report the results.

[jfe2]

Sounds like it should be okay as long as the fans all do their jobs. I'll have my fingers crossed for you.

[DNT 2.5]

That sounds like it should work, I think I might start working on my first portable.

[bacteria]

Only had just over an hour today for projects, spent that time moving a fan a bit, moving this about a bit, think case will literally just shut now. Biggest pain in the butt though is the drive unit - having to lift it in place from below, with the case lowered, just right. Proving to be a headscratcher, but found the solution, just need to work it out.

I have a few hours tomorrow, so should definitely have it done tomorrow, I just hope everything still works, troubleshooting at this stage, with hundreds of wires all over the place, would be a royal pain to solve; and I have no working spare DC at the moment either.

DNT - yes, please start a portable, and a WIP guide on this forum, buddy! BTW - love your avatar - no idea what it is about, but looks interesting!

[Hobie-wan]

Woo, unboxing video soon!

[Dylan]

Woo, unboxing video soon!

Christmas comes early.