Bacteria's controller commission - bluetooth > PS1

Ok, whilst I haven't done the videos to finish the IntoDream project yet, will do over the next days/week or so, I promised the buyer that I would do this project before the N64 video step by step guide.

So, Anapan, here is your commission! :wink:

What he wants me to do is remove the board from the bluetooth controller, install it into a PS1 controller (ideally), trim the boards as needed and rewire and wire as needed, and keep the rubber tact feel of the PS1 controller. The battery life is poor on the bluetooth controller, so I will be making it far longer - the system uses 1 x AAA cell, i'm going to aim to fit in 2 x AA's and wire them in parallel; which will give about 5x the battery life.

I haven't used bluetooth before, so Anapan supplied me with a dongle and two controllers to play with.





Into...



Tomorrow, I intend to edit some of my IntoDream videos (to make one WIP video), and spend a fair bit of time experimenting with the bluetooth controller before ripping it apart, gutting it and starting the mod.

As is my way, i'll document this project fully so others can copy my project work if they want to.

 

Had trouble getting the bluetooth devices to work, however my buyer managed to find the passcode which was "0000", that works fine!

BTW - version of software on the supplied disk was 1.40, I found version 1.50 on the internet, if anyone wants it, please let me know and what they want it for (eg PC) so I can forward it to you if you need it.




Anyone interested on this forum in this sort of mod? I don't seem to get many replies or comments on this forum on my topics, unlike on RacketBOY...

 

To summerise some comments from the customer and also what he wants:

He says he uses the bluetooth to work on his PC; the bluetooth works fine but the controller is awful.

He wants the guts migrated into an original PS1 controller and using their buttons for the contacts.

Some details about the gadget:

http://www.slashphone.com/106/2768.html

http://www.tangshop.com/bluetooth-game-pad-bgp-100.html

He wants L1&L2 + R1&R2 both go to the shoulder buttons on the BGP, also the same for the Start & Select - both going to the Select button on the BGP.

"There's a dual-color indicator light, it's not necessary to have it visible, but it'd be cool if it was moved to where the cord used to go out."

"I read the battery life is pretty crappy, It would be really good if you could somehow make it so it had 2 batteries in parallel to double the battery life."

"I prefer black or dark blue. Buttons can be painted as well tho not necessary. Feel free to tag it like you did your other projects."


So, to summerise, the bluetooth is good on the gadget but the buttons and layout is bad, hence the need to migrate the controls to an official PS1 controller.

This project isn't going to take long, however spray painting, etc will take time in itself.

Bluetooth controller:



Opened up:



Removed the guts from the PS1 controller, and removed the surplus plastic from the inside of the controller so the bluetooth controller guts fit inside ok.



The LED is a tiny surface mounted one, so can't use that were the cord used to go, so filled that in and others areas with polyfilla.



Regards the battery - Managed to craft it so that an AA cell fits into the case nicely. Used a 3 battery holder, retained the middle, cut off the base; also removed all the surplus plastic from the controller, to ensure the battery fits ok and I can mount button rubber topped tact switches. It is very tight but will work ok. The AA cell will probably improve the gadget from about 3.5 hours to about 8.5 - 9 hours. To replace the battery, open the case, then screw it back again afterwards.



You can just see the edges of the battery against the dpad and left button.



Here it is in situ:



The hole the cable went into is sealed and ready to paint.

 

I'm interested, its great to see various mods etc as you really pick up a lot of techniques. I just wish I had more time to do mods myself!

 

A lot of us just read what you are doing and smile I think

 

:icon_bigg


Just took this pic in my garage, I use an old cardboard box (hence the red surround). I never get nice pics as the lighting is bad, however you get the idea of the looks - put 3 coats of gloss black, then one generous coat of metallic black - gives a subtle hint of fine silver dust effect, very nice. Then, once it dried, applied first of two layers of metallic sealant spray paint.

I will upload better pics when it is dry and back upstairs to my project room.

On the right of the pic are the buttons, shoulder buttons and d-pad. Didn't spray paint the select/start buttons as they are rubber.



The bits inside the screw holes area that didn't get much paint will be manually painted with a brush - if you spray your spray paint into a small container, you get the paint which you can then apply with a small brush. I like to finish jobs properly.

As mentioned, when the painting is done, I will take better pics. It looks gorgeous!

 

Never seen such a gorgeous coat of black before. NICE!

 

Still can't get a great pic, however this isn't bad. The "bits" on the controllers isn't dust, its the metallic effect.



Controller is pretty dry so should be able to start on it later...

 

I was interested until you painted it black. Cheaper to just get a PS3 pad.

 

Customer wanted it black, and I must say, it looks really nice in real life. Photo doesn't do it justice...

 

Ok, up to about 70% complete now - cut a piece of perspex to fit around the dpad area, hot glued rubber topped tact switches in place, hot glued the perspex piece in place; hot glued the buttons in place, cut the start and select part of the PS1 controller off, soldered to the traces, hot glued the piece in place, hot glued the battery in its battery compartment in place.

It is all very snug indeed, but closes, just (ignore the plug with wires, that will be rewired):



Here are the guts:



Need to hot glue the two boards better in place, used the smallest amount I could to check the case would shut ok; then wire everything together, and install the shoulder buttons.

The slight difference in appearance on the black on the controller is down to the variable thicknesses of varnish - when done, I will use a little spit'n'polish to make it nicer.

ETA to finish project: Tuesday.

 

This looks amazing. For some reason I always liked the psx controller with out analog sticks more and find my self using it when ever possible on ps2 games.

 

The original design was the best, everything else that came after just makes it more uncomfortable to use.

Not sure about painting a controller though, it'll rub off...

 

The paint stays on, not come off my portables so far, at all, nor the buttons either.

 

It will eventually, unless it somehow defies physics

 

Sure, if the controller is used a lot then sure - however quite easy to apply a new coat of paint and quick varnish (and keep the controller working fine) to make it look as good as new. I have used my portables for any hours and they still hold fine with no showing of wear, but sure, will happen eventually. The only part that won't hold paint at all is the start/select buttons as they are rubber.


Spent the last 3.5 hours doing what had to do - moved the board to the other side of the controller, adjusted the battery compartment, quartered the d-pad, made a new holder for the tact switches, removed previous way to hold buttons in place for perspex backing.

Result is that buttons press easily and properly now. Just tested, all works. Out of time today, tomorrow will cut hole in back of case for the battery to be inserted into, then close the case up.

This project has taken a lot longer than anticipated, no problem, enjoyed it!

Hope to have this finished tomorrow, have 3.5 hours again to play with before going to work again.

 

Nice work! I notice you managed to cut one whole board out of it. Did you just cut out the pressure pads and mount them behind the buttons?

 

Using rubber topped tact switches - they have the "mushy" feel of normal buttons but with less hassle to install.

The other board was removable as the traces only went to the dpad and shoulder button with a common ground. This was handy as the controller is barely able to shut as it is!

BTW - here's a far better pic - no flash.

 

Project finished.

 

Nice! Liked It!