Bacteria's portable DreamCast handheld console - IntoDream

[bacteria]

Took several hours to recharge the cells, just turned system on again after having re-connected the system yesterday, had it on for 20 mins, all works perfectly, stable picture, etc. I can also confirm that the chip on the drive board remains quite cool (barely warm to touch) after 20 mins, as the batteries are 7.4v and not 12v; I know this to be true as when I disconnected everything to check all was working on the console side yesterday, I wired it to the AC Dreamcast power supply - after about 3 minutes, the chip on the drive board was getting quite hot, and getting hotter.

So, proves that if you power your Dreamcast with 7.4v and not 12v:

* Your system runs cooler
* Uses less amperage
* System will run longer (as uses less amperage)
* Chips run cooler (the main processors and the drive chip)
* No need for a PicoPSU as some would have you believe - just use 7.4v cells (and to power the screen at same voltage), a 7805 with heatsink for 5v and a TI step-down regulator at around 3.2v-3.4v

Will assemble system later today, I am expecting (hoping) all will work fine, then project is "completed" and ready for videos to be taken of the system running, etc. Will keep you posted...

[hailrazer]

So, proves that if you power your Dreamcast with 7.4v and not 12v:
* System will run longer (as uses less amperage)

Actually the system uses more amperage , but less watts. So in effect you get a longer battery life with the same number of cells.

With the Dreamcast you use 1900 mA at 7.4v but only 1500 mA at 12v.

But the watts per hour are lower so you wind up getting more life out of the same number of cells.

To give a battery life example, you might use six 2000mAh li-ion cells in your portable. These could be wired 2s3p to make a 7.4V 6000mAh battery or 3s2p for an 11.1V 4000mAh battery.

Both batteries store the same amount of energy but:
the 7.4V battery will run about 6000/1988= 3.02 hours or 181 minutes
the 11.1V battery will run about 4000/1571= 2.55 hours or 152 minutes.

It's confusing but it makes sense I guess. LOL

[bacteria]

Thanks for the explanation.



Perhaps the difference in watts is why the drive chip (and processors) run cooler; would make sense.

So, at a guess then, the amperage on my portable would therefore equate to:

Dreamcast 1900mA
PSone screen (unmodded) 800mA
Extra fans used about 350mA between them - one takes 240mA however only small fan I had about to use
VMU unit 9mA (according to this)

The system therefore looks like it takes 3 amps; so to revise my figures, I will probably get about 2 hours playtime between charges (using my 3 x 7.4v batteries wired in parallel to get 2amps x 3 packs = 6amps. It would be nice to have more, however there is no space for more batteries in the case. I have a 11.1v 5amp Li-po cell (for a future GameCube project, or NeoGeo - actually intend to use two packs but not got a second one yet) however that wouldn't have fitted in the case anyway; so in this project, Li-ion cells were the only good choice for power.

[DNT 2.5]

So less power=Less heat?
makes sense.
cant wait to see it finished!

[bacteria]

First attempt a short while ago to close case - back to system menu as the disc was catching on the enclosure and stopping the disc spinning. Adjusted the posts securing it on the back by 1mm and all ok - yes that tight. Also, 3 lines on the VMU missing - fixed that with another small tube of plastic and hot glue.

Second attempt - finally all working, and sealed shut! Working great!

Over the next days when I have time, my agenda is:

* Clear desk
* Edit my previous WIP videos for this project to try and make everything under 10 mins, including new footage.
* Make a construction to support camera above my head, angled, to take videos showing games being played, etc on IntoDream - certainly Quake 3, and some other games to, including PenPen, Unreal Tournament and Sonic - probably have a couple of such dedicated videos
* Make another mini video - removing game ports from boards, and uploading it
* Do my commission I took on - modding a bluetooth controller into a PS1 controller
* Upload my IntoDream project for all to see
* Then, start my video log project for making an N64 portable - from start to end.... (lots of mini videos)

[Niode]

Congratulations! I can't wait to see it working complete.

Also, I'm really looking forward to getting my N64 modded. My PSone screens are just itching to be used.

[bacteria]

Made a stand for the camera for the videos for the IntoDream videos and the forthcoming N64 step by step guide on video.

Uploaded this to TinyPic instead of YouTube so to not clutter my YouTube account.

Video

[AlonT]

YES!!!
Congratulations!!

[bacteria]

Finished uploading the two IntoDream videos - project complete...


Compiled worklog (from various videos made during build):



The main video - presentation and demonstration of the system:



I will make a PDF tomorrow.

Official page: here

Once done the PDF I can promote the system.

[bacteria]

This is starting to fly over the internet at the moment; I am sure a lot more will host this project today and tomorrow, I only advertised it last night.

Here are the ones so far that have posted my project - I will add to them as more appear! I am sure if Engadget post it the viewings will get massive!

http://www.techblogger.org/2009/12/14/i ... s-quake-3/

http://eckiller.com/2009/12/intodream-p ... ake-3.html

http://www.badpower.com/youre-not-dream ... real-deal/

http://dailytechnews.info/2009/12/15/in ... s-quake-3/

http://www.phone-review.org/phone-revie ... cast-video

http://www.slashgear.com/intodream-diy- ... o-1566005/

http://eckiller.com/2009/12/intodream-p ... ake-3.html

http://www.togadget.com/computers-and-r ... ast-video/

http://www.gadgetvenue.com/intodream-po ... -12152958/

http://www.coeds.cc/youre-not-dreaming- ... real-deal/

http://elhabib.at/2009/12/15/sega-dream ... ble/59590/

http://eckiller.com/2009/12/video-intod ... ained.html

http://hackaday.com/2009/12/15/intodrea ... dreamcast/

http://www.segashiro.com/2009/12/15/int ... -portable/

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/youre ... real-deal/

http://eckiller.com/2009/12/video-intod ... ained.html

http://hackaday.com/2009/12/15/intodrea ... dreamcast/

http://www.segashiro.com/2009/12/15/int ... -portable/

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/15/youre ... real-deal/

http://www.coolthings.com/intodream-a-p ... -joystick/