This place is TERRIBLE!!!!!

[00G]

I see all these modded PSPs and I just had to do it!!!  So I take the darn thing apart, thinking "I know how to solder"  I have only been doing it for 20+ years in stereos, building electrical, misc electronics and custom electronics.  Now I have these microscopic leads to solder some magnet wire to for the D-pad.  I have to admit, as embarrassing as it sounds, I worked on the D-pad for about 1-day straight if you add the hours, only to find out my iron wasn't hot enough for the needle point tip I was using on a 15watter, so 30 watts on the needle tip worked like a dream on the 20th hour.  My biggest problem was when every thing was assembled the first 8 times, the D-pad was stuck in the left button.  Now I am seriously doubting my soldering skills, I have the magnifying glass, even a RS microscope to check my work and my meter never read I was crossing lines, especially the left trace.  I only found out by the last 3 re-assemblies that the ribbon had hair on it and was causing my woes with the D-pad.  I really felt stupid as I probably am for doing this mod.

Anyway, I am using a PS2 analog stick to be sure my efforts are/were worth it and installed 4 micro-switches into the nub to replicate the digital D-pad.  I would have taken pictures if it worked the first few attempts.  I am looking either to mod the PS2 analog or find a smaller one all together that semi-fits in the PSP.  Anyone have a clue?  I've seen some on aircraft sticks for trim, but I believe they are digital and cost $1000 or so.  Wish me luck on the analog stick search, the PS2 is way too big, but worth every second when in use!!!

I love this place!!!

[tmandt]

whre did you get your metal nub? pm me

[00G]

I made it, I can do round things on my lathe, so I am going to try a custom analog stick with the PS2 potentiometers laying on their side instead of standing up, I should get the pots to lay at least level with the face.  (fingers crossed)... 

If anyone were interested in the switches, I've got a pic of them on the phone I cannibalized near a PS2 analog switch, can we say micro-micro-switches...

[ryan0]

lol very cool,i did something similar to this

[VoX]

Looks good, weird topic title though. How long did it take you?

[00G]

I just recently did the CFW to play more with the PSP, I've had this one since they came out and had no idea of it's capabilities.  I started the soldering on Friday evening and was up all night/morning then gave it a rest Sat. about 9am.  I started again on Sat night and finished it on Sun evening, I am sure it was about 20+ hours trying to figure out the stuck left button and the last attempts at soldering had almost all of the leads shorted to eachother.  I have so much respect for you guys that soldered anything to those microscopic leads, my magnifying glass barely helped. 

Thanks, I am not into lights much, but with the UMD out, I would really like more memory and have been watching/experimenting with the HDD implementation.  I have this wonderful forum to thank for my new addiction, hehehe.

[DubbleDutch]

try the retrocon joystick

it has smaller joysticks on it

yes joysticks, there are 2

search it on ebay or something

[00G]

Those look great!  I am looking for their info now.  Any info on the joysticks used here???