The motherboard and game cartridge can be inserted into the system either way around:
Having the motherboard downwards with cartridge above is the way i'll do this system as it will give easy access to the SD card on the Everdrive64 for the buyer. Also gives more space for mounting the battery packs; although fine either way.
If the system was made for the game cartridge to be inserted/removed as usual the system could be mounted either way too.
Some parts need relocating however boards aren't always happy to be; it is safe to remove grounding as long as areas left without are reconnected. The N64 is however temperamental if you try to cut off too much, things can for example not save or work too fast (eg audio goes wrong); however the cuts i've done on this board are totally fine. I've trimmed many boards in the past so a lot of it comes down to experience.
Update - installed the PSone screen and motherboard. Had to do a little trimming on the board as was catching the edge of the joystick spring, also trim a little off the bottom of the board too; not much.
Put the rods back in the hinges as am at the stage of wiring up the system.
Tested the screen and motherboard together, all work fine. Need to wire the system in and route the wiring, install controller board too and wire that up.
I might have to remove the casing for the game cartridge however as might need that height for the controller to be installed in the system, not sure yet. Would be nice not have to however if need to, will.
System closes up nicely at the moment, which is always a good sign!
Installed volume up and down buttons however one of them moved a little when secured in place and the buttons are too high (used small tact switches for those) so will make tiny surrounds for them to hide the fact. Not an issue, just me being a bit of a perfectionist.
I should be able to provide decent photo updates in the next few days.
With a fair wind, good chance I might have this project done my middle of July or thereabouts.
Only have the step-up regulator to rig up to feed the battery charger now. 2 sets of batteries are installed in the system.
Charging the system takes several hours however for normal use best to play via mains transformer (which will charge the batteries too) and run off battery power when need to.
I'll give full details of this when finish the system and test, and upload YouTube video.
Bought another spare GBA Organizer case so after doing commissions for Anthony, will make another one or two to sell to other people who may be interested (if anyone is).
Anthony wants me to also make him a MegaDrive clone in GameGear case, (or smaller GBA Organizer) so that project i'll be starting in the next week or two; will post all progress on this site as usual.
1. Use a Gamecube Analog Stick for better durability.
2. Perhaps a pack of regular AA batteries instead of the recharge system? This ensures always ready to play and always available replacement; depends of course runtime with the standard AA batteries. Max out the batteries to fit inside, some could be placed in Parallel to keep to the correct voltage.
I have finished the system now, having included a step-up regulator for the battery charger (as it needs 12v and the input i'm giving the system is 7.2v).
The resistance the joystick for this controller uses is a lot different to the GameCube or PlayStation ones, adding resistors to bridge the difference makes a game character move like it is drunk, which is not ideal. It is usually better to use the joystick that came with the controller board in practice.
As to AA cells, it would be expensive. It is never advisable to use AA cells in parallel also AA cells would last around 20-50 minutes before needing changing in an N64 system, if that.
