Modify Wii Sensor bar to run off USB?

[thelolotov]

Once upon a time, I had a Nintendo Wii, I camped out many long nights to acquire it, and it broke a year later, D: Nintendo wouldn't fix it, and it seemed beyond repair, so I tossed it, but being a pack rat, kept the psu, AV cables, and sensor bar.

I now want to get a wiimote, and use glovepie with my computer for some little experiments, but as I no longer have the Wii, I have no way to power the sensor bar, and about half an hour of googling has not found me any instructions, or even a pinout of the sensor bar's wires.

Can anyone lend me a hand here? It doesn't necessarily have to run off USB, but I am running out of outlets here, between my computer, server, three monitors, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, PS2, Dreamcast, Xbox and Xbox 360, XD. Heck, I'd be happy with just a pinout of the sensor bar connector.

Thanks in advance!

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

May I ask why? I mean the sensor bar is little more than two LEDs on a stick... if you want to wire something from scratch it MAY be easier than modifying the stock bar. I am not too knowledgeable about specific wiring though...

[nickfil]

May I ask why? I mean the sensor bar is little more than two LEDs on a stick... if you want to wire something from scratch it MAY be easier than modifying the stock bar. I am not too knowledgeable about specific wiring though...

agreed. I'm pretty sure they are inferred leds. You can rig two up and have the same effect. Although not as reliable, a far easier solution is also to just light 2 candles over your monitor.

[thelolotov]

Well, for one, the wii sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs, and that's what the wiimote was designed for, and I'd just prefer to mod the stock one, since I have it.

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

Well, for one, the wii sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs,

Huh? I am pretty sure it's just two... pretty sure.

[nickfil]

Well, for one, the wii sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs, and that's what the wiimote was designed for, and I'd just prefer to mod the stock one, since I have it.

so... more candles?

[thelolotov]

Well, for one, the wii sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs,

Huh? I am pretty sure it's just two... pretty sure.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... or_Bar.jpg

I used to think that, but it really is actually 10.

EDIT: HOLY PAGE STRETCHING IMAGES BATMAN.

[nickfil]

Well, for one, the wii sensor bar has 10 IR LEDs,

Huh? I am pretty sure it's just two... pretty sure.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... or_Bar.jpg

I used to think that, but it really is actually 10.

EDIT: HOLY PAGE STRETCHING IMAGES BATMAN.

when you adjust the sensitivity in the wii settings it looks like 2 bright dots. I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't use 10 IR leds if your heart is set on it, but you really could probably get away with 2 bright ones.

[thelolotov]

when you adjust the sensitivity in the wii settings it looks like 2 bright dots. I'm not trying to say that you shouldn't use 10 IR leds if your heart is set on it, but you really could probably get away with 2 bright ones.

Ahh, I did not know that. I'd just like to use this since I have it and it's already assembled, so what would be the best way to hook this thing up? I found a post saying these ran off 7.2 volts or so, and he got it working fine with a 7.5 volt AC adapter, I can use that if I need to, but can anyone think of a way to run it off usb?

[avrame]

If you're up to spending money, might I suggest a nyko or Verge wireless sensor bar? both include rechargable batteries, and charge over USB. I have one sitting right in front of me, runs for about 8 hours on one charge, never dies if you leave it plugged in



I did open in up, remove the annoying blue LED and stupid alarm speaker though...