Famicom World

Family Computer => Famicom / Disk System => Topic started by: Pikkon on November 22, 2011, 11:53:15 pm

Title: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Pikkon on November 22, 2011, 11:53:15 pm
Well I wanted to add a led to my fami but I wanted to do something different,so after messing around for a few hours I ended up doing this.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/pikkonson/avfamimod.png)

All I did was add a bright red led under the case so the nintendo logo lights up red when the system is turned on.It took me a while to get the led positioned correctly but finally got it the way I wanted it,then used some tape and hot glue to secure it.

I think it looks pretty nice and a plus that I did not have to drill into the case. 8)
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: lobdale on November 23, 2011, 12:01:20 am
Cool!  Mind posting how you did it/some instructions?

Sounds like a fun rainy day project, especially since you don't need to drill it.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Pikkon on November 23, 2011, 12:06:47 am
Sure I can give some instructions,give me a day or two and I'll post pics on where to solder and what resisters I used and such.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: jpx72 on November 23, 2011, 12:15:52 am
Nice! So the AV Famicom has the Nintendo logo transparent? I'm thinking to finally add a led to my normal Fami too cause I always leave it powered on. But I don't  know where should I put it  :D I think the best place would be in the power switch, in the part that becomes visible after switching it on, the part where the orange sticker is (should be).
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Pikkon on November 23, 2011, 12:23:02 am
Well its the case,when I had the case apart I picked up my led flash light and noticed that the light would emit through the case,so I figured lighting up the nintendo logo would be the best.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: P on November 23, 2011, 09:26:19 am
I had the same idea but with the old Famicom. I wanted to try adding a LED but I don't want to drill into the case. I haven't tried it yet though. I wonder if the light will emit through that case too.

Is it glued to the case or to the board?
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Xious on November 23, 2011, 09:52:09 am
For standard FC systems, I often place a red LED under the grilles, so that the illumination rises up out of them; you can add a refracting film to spread it if you want a fancy effect. :bomb:
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: jpx72 on November 23, 2011, 09:54:47 am
Quote from: Xious on November 23, 2011, 09:52:09 am
For standard FC systems, I often place a red LED under the grilles, so that the illumination rises up out of them;

I just wanted to say that this will be awesome! BTW what's a refracting film?
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Xious on November 23, 2011, 03:49:37 pm
Also known as a light diffuser, it is a thin film, which can be polymer or paper-like material that spreads light from a single source (or multiple sources) over an area in a uniform manner. This is often coupled with a polarizing film for an enhanced effect.  Gameboy backlight kits use both a light spreader and a polarizing filtre: You fan source these materials from photography sources, or rip them from dead LCD panels and the like.

I wasn't able to see the image in the OP with my mobile. Very nice looking indeed: I think NCL probably had the notion to add illumination there, and then decided against it. Adding a polarizer+diffuser to that will reduce the amount of illumination slightly, and will spread it more evenly, so that it has less of a hot-spot.  :bomb:
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Pikkon on November 23, 2011, 06:33:24 pm
Quote from: P on November 23, 2011, 09:26:19 am
I had the same idea but with the old Famicom. I wanted to try adding a LED but I don't want to drill into the case. I haven't tried it yet though. I wonder if the light will emit through that case too.

Is it glued to the case or to the board?


Its hot glued to the case,also if I get some more leds I can make it look a lot better than it does now.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Xious on November 23, 2011, 08:26:02 pm
If you want to improve it, I suggest getting the aforementioned spreader and polarizer, then adding one LED, so that you have on each side (by the 'N' and 'O'), about 4mm to 5mm from the aperture of that logo section, which will fitre the light evenly across it.  You can use simple gauze as an inexpensive alternative. :bomb:
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: BasiliskFang on November 25, 2011, 09:43:19 pm
tutorial please. this looks awesome!
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: 133MHz on November 26, 2011, 07:32:58 am
Awesome! (read in Bill Lumbergh's voice) I'd add some pieces of strategically cut & placed cardboard to prevent the light from spreading past the borders of the Nintendo logo, that'd be perfect. :bub:
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Pikkon on November 26, 2011, 07:46:24 pm
Yea I do have a piece of cardboard under the led,its a pain in the ass to get it the way you want it and plus the led I used is real bright.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Xious on November 27, 2011, 03:41:09 am
I suggest looking at how aftermarket backlight kits for original Gameboy and Gameboy Pocket systems are designed, as this is essentially a bigger version of what I would fit under that spot. Heavy black art board would block unwanted light seepage, as would something better; opaque silicone.  :bomb:
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: lobdale on November 27, 2011, 05:01:37 am
I'd enjoy sticking a couple red LEDs in my original Famicom to shine out the vents like was mentioned in here if anyone can provide some instructions for that.  Sounds like a neat project.
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Xious on November 27, 2011, 03:46:41 pm
Attach one of the following to wire leads:

A 5VDC-set LED or;
A red LED and 150Ω resistor (or a resistor appropriate (http://wild-bohemian.com/electronics/led-rest.htm) to your light temperature and power usage);

Solder wire leads to VCC and GND, remembering that the resistor belongs between VCC and the positive LED lead. (All diodes are polarized: The long lead is positive, and connects to VCC; the short lead is negative, and goes to GND.

Affix diffuser (and polarizer, if used) to underside of vents using clear silicone
----------->You may create a stencil insert between the diffuser and polarizer if you desire to generate a specific pattern..
Affix LED on edge of diffuser panel using clear silicone.

You can also skip the diffuser/polarizer fora very simple version that will have a hot-spot and emit light from a small portion of the grille.

Using a diffuser/polarizer will trap more heat in the system; because of this, I advise using a stencil and applying light to only a defined space, allowing some space for heat transference; if you use gauze as a diffuser with no polarizing film, then heat can still pass through. The system can generally handle running with a full polarizer and film, but you should only run this with a 9p10VDC PSU, and maybe an 8VDC PSU to reduce 7805 heat dissipation, although all components generate some heat. :bomb:



Polarizing film sources:
Bulk & custom polarizing film in sheets and rolls. (http://www.polarization.com/polarshop)
Square polarizin filtres on Amazon, as used on Gameboy lighting kits. (http://www.amazon.com/EDMUND-POLARIZING-FILM-GRAY/dp/B001DBPPP0)
Small polarizers; same as Amazon, from Spectrum, for half the price per filtre. (http://www.spectrum-scientifics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=790)
Polarized Slides, for a small filtre... (http://www.amazon.com/Square-Linear-Polarized-Filter-Window/dp/B004803FAK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322437620&sr=8-2)


LED Diffusers:
LED Diffuser material (as affordable sheets) (https://www.inventables.com/technologies/light-diffuser-films)
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: lobdale on November 27, 2011, 05:57:41 pm
Interesting!  Xious, sounds like you've done this before.  Do you have any pictures of what your finished product looks like when it's on?
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: NintendoKing on November 27, 2011, 08:08:37 pm
I like the glowing on button mod, but this glowing Nintendo logo is also very cool!
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: jpx72 on February 12, 2012, 03:40:46 am
Just did one quick and dirty mod, I thought it will look better, but it isn't (don't pay attention to the dirt on my famicom):
Title: Re: Little mod I did to my Av Famicom
Post by: Drakon on February 13, 2012, 04:14:00 pm
I love it!  Great idea!