Wiring Thread

Ripping off the strain relief on a usb port like that is extremely difficult to without destroying the console.

Ive seen people kick usb sticks in pcs and only damage the internal usb connections.

Anyway, feel free to not use those points, for everyone else it's fine.

Not that I understand how you are modding ps2's, when your post in this thread is of a ps1 using an iron that you wouldn't be able to mod a ps2 with.

 

I have serious trouble believing that. Aside from the 4 connector pins and 2 huge shield connections to the massive ground plain, there's still the console enclosure itself that keeps it in place. Maybe if you'd epoxy some kind of rod inside the USB slot and use a vice grip on that you might be able to rip the USB port off the mobo. And then the modchip would be lacking 1 ground wire. But the rest of your board is still destroyed.

 

I also use the USB or other connector strain relief points for ground on PS2 Modchips. Installed about 20 that way and no problems, but it depends on your placement of the chip, other ground points might be closer.

 

Bump, here's messing with Modbo install.

 

What do you guys use for magnification?
I can solder a PS1 fine and dandy... I have a small 8W iron - But I am finding that I can't see some of the finer points to solder to on a PS2....

My eyes are starting to fail me... as well as the shakes from too many years of (re)working boards with lots of heavy metals in....
Live and learn eh?

 

Stereo microscope is pretty nice to have
Before I used a 4x magnifying glass but that gets old real quick.

 

AKA binocular microscope, not the kind to look at tissue samples though.

Those are a godsend really. Seeing what you're doing so up-close even helps you control your shaking so you're much more stable.

 

You are probably using the wrong shape/size tip, the chisel tip I use works fine with those BIOS pads and you can also pull it off those resistor arrays (I plan to make a diagram for this one day..) if you can't manage the pads. I was just messing with the wiring though, I wanted to see how ridiculous it could be but noticed someone above me posted the same idea lol.

Also, for me the "hack" for PS2 is to cut your wires to 6 inches or so then solder them all to those points in order then pack them together and route them however you want with no crosstalk/overlapping wires. Use fingernail clippers to really cut to precision to the chip. I thought it was difficult until I just sat down for an hour and played with different ideas. Kynar wire is really good for this because it's for me at least, stiffer than the cheaper "wrapping wire" most people buy so it keeps it's shape/bends and doesn't break as easily when using tweezers to form it.

 

I use an Ampscope.

PS1 modchip I did a few weeks back.

 

I don't use anything. My eyes are still really good up close.

Regarding cutting wires, Japanese brand "engineer" make excellent micro nippers (small side cutters) that are extremely sharp and meet really well. I'd never go back to anything else now and I had lindstrom for years.

 

My eyes are good too. But its night and day difference. There is just no strain. And I know 100% if there is a bridge or not. But I also do a lot of .5mm pitch stuff with flex cables.

I'll keep that engineer brand in mind. I bought these cutters randomly this morning. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000J47Z4G/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If they are junk I'll try the engineer's out.

 

Oh I have stereo microscope, I just don't use it.

And yes, I do plenty fine pitch as well. If there's any doubt of a bridge, I just use a jewellers loupe.

I do highly recommend the engineer stuff. I have a bunch of their crimpers too, massive difference vs cheap ones.

 

Just for fun, try your dexterity with and without the microscope. It's crazy how much of a difference it makes.

That said, you might not need the added dexterity for most modding purposes, but I find it really nice when working with wire-bonds (e.g. selectively removing some).

 

I genuinely don't like using it. I don't feel like it improves anything for me. It's harder to work with, I have to keep moving it around for different areas of the board.

Makes things slower and is a nuisance imo. But I'm probably just stuck in my ways.

What you are using it for, is what it's for and would see a benefit. For modding, I really don't see the need - the stuff isn't that small.

But as with anything, my motto is do what works for you.

 

My scope is on a big slider, so I can move it around easily. There is no effort.

Also one thing I also use my scope a lot for is taking exact measurements using the camera.

For this curious, this is the scope I use. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004UBNIMC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Thanks for all the input!
Now to find a decent 'scope available in the UK.... shipping from the USA always lands a hefty bill at customs.....!

 

See if Bad_Ad would sell you his

 

Less talk , more wire porn please