I searched the forum but couldn’t find anything on this..

Is there a tutorial somewheer to create a SNES controller that works on the Virtual Boy?

Here’s the Project VB page:
http://www.projectvb.com/mods/controllers/ninadapt.html

I’ve got a few SNES controllers I can use for donors, what else do I need to use?

Ideally I’d ike to make a straight SNES controller with a VB adaptor on the end (as opposed to a combi like the image above)…

Wyndcrosser wrote:
Trying to identify what size power socket I would need for building a VB to SNES controller

My plan is VB controller cable to a RadioShack project box that will house the snes port and power socket.

I should only need to solder the cables like mentioned a few posts above, correct? and then solder Power and one ground to the power socket, correct? No need for a controller?

This will be used for HF demo and games like Bound High.

The size and shape of the socket you use is determined by the plug on your power supply – they have to match. The 2.1×5.5mm barrel jack/plug is a very common size. Also, be sure your supply is DC, somewhere between 6 and 15 volts (lower is better) and can supply at least 4.5W (e.g. 500mA at 9V), higher current is okay, but you shouldn’t use too high a supply current, for safety’s sake. As a general guideline, limit it to 1A (1000mA) or less.

As for wiring, you’ll want to connect the positive pin of the power socket (usually the tip or center, but again, check your power source to be sure) to a switch, and then connect the other pin of the switch to the battery input of the VB. You might want to include a hefty diode in series, to prevent reverse polarity.

Connect the other pin of the power socket (ground, 0V, or -; usually the outside of the plug) to the ground pins on both the VB and SNES pad. Everything else is just connecting the same signals together 1:1.

None of us want you to hurt your VB (or yourself!) so, if you are unsure of anything, come back and ask.

RunnerPack wrote:
somewhere between 6 and 15 volts (lower is better)

Just curious… where did you get 15V as an upper limit? The bottom of the VB system specifies 6V to 13V. Also, it has a switching regulator, so the efficiency will be relatively flat across the input voltage (i.e. you need about twice the current at 6V than you do at 12V).

And while the current requirements depend on what is shown on the screen, the volume of the audio, etc… on the Galactic Pinball title screen, I just measured approximately 250mA @ 6V and 130mA @ 12V. So you can probably get away with a much smaller adapter than the SNES one (10V 850mA).

DogP

DogP wrote:

RunnerPack wrote:
somewhere between 6 and 15 volts (lower is better)

Just curious… where did you get 15V as an upper limit? The bottom of the VB system specifies 6V to 13V.

Actually, that was just from memory, and I obviously got it a bit wrong 😛
I would go with what is printed on the VB, obviously.

Also, it has a switching regulator, so the efficiency will be relatively flat across the input voltage (i.e. you need about twice the current at 6V than you do at 12V).

That’s why I specified the power at 4.5W, which I took from the wall-wart on my Performance adapter.

And while the current requirements depend on what is shown on the screen, the volume of the audio, etc… on the Galactic Pinball title screen, I just measured approximately 250mA @ 6V and 130mA @ 12V. So you can probably get away with a much smaller adapter than the SNES one (10V 850mA).

DogP

It’s good to have some actual numbers, even if they’re only typical, rather than absolute maximum. Still, like I said, it’s better to err on the side of more current capacity, than less (as long as you don’t go overboard).

I’ve got the pinouts for both SNES and VB ready. From my understanding all I need is switch to control the power (GRD/BatteryPW on the pinout). Of course these would be connected to the power barrel jack as well. My question is, do I need any kind resistor or regulator when handling the power aspect of this setup?

Wyndcrosser wrote:
I’ve got the pinouts for both SNES and VB ready. From my understanding all I need is switch to control the power (GRD/BatteryPW on the pinout). Of course these would be connected to the power barrel jack as well. My question is, do I need any kind resistor or regulator when handling the power aspect of this setup?

The VB has an internal voltage regulator that can handle anything from 6-13VDC (I looked it up, this time! :-P), so you really don’t need any regulation if you have a reasonably stable voltage in that range. See the above discussion about power supplies to help you choose one, if you aren’t going with an SNES-compatible one.

I’m interested in one of these as well because it would be very cool to use with specific VB games.

still looking for the right end to make the cable with, I can’t find a power socket that will work with the SNS-002 power adapter. Any ideas? My plan was to modify my current AC adapter.

Wyndcrosser wrote:
still looking for the right end to make the cable with, I can’t find a power socket that will work with the SNS-002 power adapter. Any ideas? My plan was to modify my current AC adapter.

I think the only places to find a female jack you can plug an SNS-002 into are SNES consoles and US adapter-taps.

The way I see it, you have three basic options:
1. Get a generic adapter with the very common 5.5×2.1mm barrel plug and use the matching jack on the cable.
2. Cut the plug off of your SNS-002 and use a mating pair of those barrel connectors.
3. Use any proper AC adapter and just hard-wire it into the cable.

I used option #1 on the ones I made.