Author Topic: First Time PSP Modder (Read 8359 times)

sean7341 · « **on:** June 28, 2008, 02:44:10 PM »

Hello, I have decided to mod my original PSP Fat. I am not sure if this is simple or not, but I want to put blue LEDs in each shoulder of my PSP. I want to keep it's case exactly the same. Just the shoulder LEDS.

The other thing was, I want to make it so I can turn of the shoulder LEDs somehow. Is that possible?

I already have a soldering gun, and am ready to order the LEDs once I know it is possible to turn of the LEDs.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

pax · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2008, 02:56:29 PM »

yes you can wire the led's to the hold switch (which will disable the hold function).
check out this thread and look at Robin's post https://www.acidmods.com/forum/index.php?topic=17115.0
oh and by the way you need 0603 surface mount (smt/smd) led's.

good luck

sean7341 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:13:33 PM »

Alright, I'll try it out. Is this something to be really nervous about? And do you know if I can get kynar wire at RadioShack?

EDIT: Nevermind, I saw someone say in another post that you can purchase kynar wire at RadioShack. Thanks anyway

Jumbo · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:20:29 PM »

You shouldnt be really nervous.
Most of the work is done out of the psp.

Just wire the leds and put on the powerboard. If you mess something up it will probly only be the powerboard.

Which can be bought for cheap on Dealextreme.
One thing i recomend is that you order a cheap powerboard. So you can practice and if you mess up its not the good OEM board which can go for alot of money.

But good luck.
Any other questions you can ask and ill try to help you out

sean7341 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:35:59 PM »

How can I access my powerboard? Does it have to be taken out of the system? I'm sorry if i sound stupid. This is my first time opening my psp. I'm great messing with custom firmware and installing apps, but I'm not as close to as good when it comes to this.

Jumbo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:39:13 PM »

Havent you ever taken psp apart?

If not you should learn that first.

Just check youtube for video of how to take psp apart.

pax · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:41:58 PM »

psp disassembly tutorial by kenshinffx
https://www.acidmods.com/forum/index.php?topic=13466.0

but dude seriously, use the search button, just search for some keywords and im sure you will find a thread about it.

rceckspurt13 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2008, 04:48:28 PM »

The powerboard is on the right . it has the button contacts for the X,/\,[ ],O buttons. It also has the on\off\hold switch on it so just look for that. Its easy to come off after you remove the screen and the LCD cage. Just be careful when you solder, the solder points are pretty small. rember, post pics when ur done!

gx4702 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2008, 10:02:17 AM »

just one more thing about the power board - when u do reassemble ur psp, watch out for the little black switch on the bottom right corner. Its EASY to break off. (Emphsize on easy) (i broke it once without even noticing) its annoying cuz ur done the mod and everytin and now you need a new powerboard SIGH!

sean7341 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 05, 2008, 04:23:45 PM »

I am very excited to do this. I should have the final products by the end of this coming week. I am buying 2 more PSP's from some friends, so I will have 3 total. I'm going to trigger mod 2 of them, and resell them on ebay. Have any of you sold modded PSPs on ebay before? Could you tell me how much they went for? Do you have any extra tips about selling? I have already sold a few PSPs on Ebay before.

ra1n · « **Reply #10 on:** July 05, 2008, 04:39:44 PM »

idk about the ebay thing but heres another top, use tape to hold don't the leds cause they're pretty small and you don't really want to be touching it with your hand and your soldering iron at the same time

sean7341 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 05, 2008, 07:45:57 PM »

I just found a relative's old soldering iron I thought I would use and it is too big. I have decided to invest in a new one.

If I buy this soldering iron:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062730&cp=&sr=1&origkw=soldering+iron&kw=soldering+iron&parentPage=search

And this tip:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062729&cp=&sr=1&origkw=soldering+iron&kw=soldering+iron&parentPage=search

Will it be good for what I'm doing? It is a dual wattage iron. You can switch between 15 and 30 watts.

I really appreciate the help by the way.

sean7341 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:12:56 PM »

I just ordered another powerboard from ebay. From seller "n-mod".

Here was the sale:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320264353557

I hope it will be here by the end of the week. I will practice on this one before I use the real one.

Jumbo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:16:13 PM »

Ya you just got ripped basically, thats a fake board, its sold for 3.50 on Dealextreme.com

And ya that iron is good for the job, i have that one and its fine :P

sean7341 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:22:05 PM »

Quote from: gotjumbo911 on July 05, 2008, 08:16:13 PM

Ya you just got ripped basically, thats a fake board, its sold for 3.50 on Dealextreme.com

And ya that iron is good for the job, i have that one and its fine :P

What? Damn it. Should I try to cancel now? Do you think its functioning?

Jumbo · « **Reply #15 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:41:16 PM »

noo... lol lmao its fake like not real OEM, OEM board go for that price usually,

thats a chinese board, same thing is on dealextreme for less, thats what i mean, but its works

sean7341 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:42:41 PM »

Quote from: gotjumbo911 on July 05, 2008, 08:41:16 PM

noo... lol lmao its fake like not real OEM, OEM board go for that price usually,

thats a chinese board, same thing is on dealextreme for less, thats what i mean, but its works

Oh, ok. I freaked out for a second. Well, I'll go to Radioshack tomorrow after a trip to Best Buy to get some kynar and a soldering iron.

Jumbo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:44:37 PM »

Ok lol yaq sorry i didnt word rite, but that is the board you want to use to practice on

And when at radioshack, try to get 2 colors of kynar its easier to work with

sean7341 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:48:09 PM »

Quote from: gotjumbo911 on July 05, 2008, 08:44:37 PM

Ok lol yaq sorry i didnt word rite, but that is the board you want to use to practice on

And when at radioshack, try to get 2 colors of kynar its easier to work with

I will, can you log onto AIM? I would like to see what else you have to say about this stuff.

Jumbo · « **Reply #19 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:49:04 PM »

Yup

Im on now

sean7341 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 05, 2008, 08:49:46 PM »

Just messaged you.

sean7341 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:32:37 AM »

Can someone tell me what kind of solder (soldering compound) I need to do this?

Jumbo · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:41:33 AM »

I have some if you want me to add that to your order PM me asap. :P

rceckspurt13 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2008, 11:01:38 AM »

I use rosin core solder for pc work. It can also be found at radioshack. Get the smallest you can. It helps if its small.

sean7341 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 06, 2008, 12:45:11 PM »

I just got this soldering kit from radioshack:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062758&cp=&fbn=Brand%2FRadioShack&f=Brand%2F1000094%2F&fbc=1&kw=soldering+iron&parentPage=search

Is the right kind of solder included? Do you think it will be enought to do a tri er mod on 2 - 3 psps?

Jumbo, if this isn't the right kind, add the right kind to my order. I'll paypal you some more money if needed.

Also, it is a 30-watt iron. Is that too high? I can switch it for a 15-watt if needed.

EDIT: This kit includes rosin core solder.

Jumbo · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:43:41 PM »

Ya thats good solder to use :P

It should be enough for a couple psp trigger mods.

sean7341 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:49:59 PM »

What about the iron? Is 30-watt too high?

Jumbo · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:53:00 PM »

That is too high if your a beginnner modder. I used a 15 watt for like 3 months. You should probly use a 15 watt

sean7341 · « **Reply #28 on:** July 06, 2008, 01:54:55 PM »

Quote from: gotjumbo911 on July 06, 2008, 01:53:00 PM

That is too high if your a beginnner modder. I used a 15 watt for like 3 months. You should probly use a 15 watt

Damn. I have to go switch it out. Are you sure?

sean7341 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 06, 2008, 07:11:38 PM »

Can someone tell me if making them sound reactive would be a lot harder? I think I'll be able to handle this without a problem, but I don't want to get into something I can't handle.

I am doing everything the day I get my stuff from gotjumbo. I will have a 15 watt iron then too.

Does anyone here have any tips for the sound reactive LEDs? Earlier in this thread, someone linked to a thread where someone posted a tutorial on how to do it. I will follow that.

Tell me what you think.

djnoor · « **Reply #30 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:57:03 PM »

Well if you are going for reactives then don't look what I right after this.

Ok so if you want to be able to turn off your LEDs I suggest that you wire them to the power board because there is a plugin ( LED Control) that makes you be able to turn on or off the Power LED, wich is the same thing as your LED when wired to teh power board. It also keeps you teh hold function wich I find pretty useful! Anyways type Djnoor PSP in yutube you will se my PSP and I use the LED Control plugin.

Anyways good luck, and I don't think this is going to be too hard...

sean7341 · « **Reply #31 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:58:40 AM »

Quote from: djnoor on July 06, 2008, 09:57:03 PM

Well if you are going for reactives then don't look what I right after this.

Ok so if you want to be able to turn off your LEDs I suggest that you wire them to the power board because there is a plugin ( LED Control) that makes you be able to turn on or off the Power LED, wich is the same thing as your LED when wired to teh power board. It also keeps you teh hold function wich I find pretty useful! Anyways type Djnoor PSP in yutube you will se my PSP and I use the LED Control plugin.

Anyways good luck, and I don't think this is going to be too hard...

I just looked it up. Great psp! Looks like it took a lot of work. And the RGB in the back looks great too.

How much extra work is the sound reactive mod?
Were all of your LEDs powered from the powerboard except for the RGB?

sean7341 · « **Reply #32 on:** July 07, 2008, 01:42:30 PM »

Also, do I need any resistors?

djnoor · « **Reply #33 on:** July 07, 2008, 03:48:00 PM »

Hi again Sean, thanks!

Well it's wiring an LM386, soldering to LM386, soldering to speakers, getting a place to put all the wires so that your faceplate will colse after and more...

For my LEDs:
-2 Blue, 2green, and 6 white are wired to teh powerboard.
-6 red are wired to the LM386 wich gets wired to teh motherboard and teh speakers
-And RGB directly to teh mobo

Well if you have more questions just email me!

Good Luck!

rceckspurt13 · « **Reply #34 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:09:33 PM »

Believe it or not, depending on how you do it, it may actually be easier to make it sound reactive. To do it the easiest way, just solder the wired from the LEDs to the - and + contacts on the psp speakers. You should solder each led to its respective speaker( left led to left speaker and right led to right speaker). You could also solder the positive ends of each to the hold switch so you could turn them on and off with the hold switch. Doing it this way, you dont have to solder to such small points.

djnoor · « **Reply #35 on:** July 07, 2008, 06:10:22 PM »

Quote from: rceckspurt13 on July 07, 2008, 05:09:33 PM

Believe it or not, depending on how you do it, it may actually be easier to make it sound reactive. To do it the easiest way, just solder the wired from the LEDs to the - and + contacts on the psp speakers. You should solder each led to its respective speaker( left led to left speaker and right led to right speaker). You could also solder the positive ends of each to the hold switch so you could turn them on and off with the hold switch. Doing it this way, you dont have to solder to such small points.

When I first took a try at reactives, I soldered to my speakers....guess what 1st of all the LED isnt as "reacive" as with an LM, an 2nd teh LED stays on with no sound, 3rd weirdly my speakers broke after that =/

But just my opinion, so do what you feel like doing.

sean7341 · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2008, 07:10:23 PM »

I think I'm going to just wire them to the powerboard, and not make them sound reactive.

I attempted to disassemble my psp today. I had one problem. I couldn't get two screws off.

It was the two black ones all the way to the left. I pretty much tried too hard for too long and scratched them up. I'm going to go to a jeweler tomorrow to see if they can help me.

I will also be able to get the other 2 psp's I am buying tomorrow. I will have a lot of hardware to work with, I hope I don't mess up.

Do any of you guys have recommendations to help me get those screws out? Is there any special way to get them out?

Thanks.

Jumbo · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2008, 07:59:53 PM »

Make sure you have a good screw driver.

But if you cant get them out put glue on the tip of your screwdriver and put it in the screw and let it dry and take it out as normal...

socomhacker239 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 07, 2008, 08:03:18 PM »

is he doin the direct connect or the lm386?

EDIT-oh never mind i jus finished reading it if you can get the screws out drill them out or rip the face plate off an replace the screws an face plate

sean7341 · « **Reply #39 on:** July 07, 2008, 08:39:56 PM »

Quote from: gotjumbo911 on July 07, 2008, 07:59:53 PM

Make sure you have a good screw driver.

But if you cant get them out put glue on the tip of your screwdriver and put it in the screw and let it dry and take it out as normal...

I will try that. Hopefully it works, I wanted to have it disassembled today to see if I could do it. I didn't expect to come into such a small problem.

Quote from: socomhacker239 on July 07, 2008, 08:03:18 PM

is he doin the direct connect or the lm386?

EDIT-oh never mind i jus finished reading it if you can get the screws out drill them out or rip the face plate off an replace the screws an face plate

Can you tell me what the difference between direct connect and lm386 is?

I am doing the standard trigger mod. I think sound mod is out for now. As of now, I am going to wire the LEDs to the powerboard. I am open to anything that would make it easier.

Do I need any resistors for what I am doing? I still don't know this.

sean7341 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 10, 2008, 08:29:29 AM »

Hello, I have a question.

I tried soldering 2 strings of kynar wire to the negative spot on this diagram.

It looks pretty much exactly the same on the little metal nub that sticks up. What I did was slightly touch the tip of my solder covered iron to the metal nub sticking up on the board. I also touched the tip of the tip to the stripped kynar wire. I then slowly moved both of them together. Now that little metal nub that sticks up, but is a little bigger because of the added solder, and both wires are connected. Is that how it is supposed to look?

I would really appreciate some help.

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Author Topic: First Time PSP Modder (Read 8359 times)