+5v on NGPC? Sega Mods that might interest too...

[Segasonicfan]

Hey does anyone know where the 5v output on NGPC is?  Im trying to add LEDs to makew the system backlit but I'm trying to figure out where I could connect them too.. If I just connect them to the +/- AA output that's only 3v so its not enough :/ should I just suppy/build another battery source for the LEDs?  

oh....and if anyones interested i did a cool Nomad battery pack mod I made myself....added an AC imput by connecting 2 wires to the +/- outputs so now the pack works on Game Gear, CDX, etc and still hooks on (or goes to the AC) in the Nomad  I'm looking to try a 9V battery on the Nomad next...I believe it will work just fine to power the system...much easier than replacing 6 AA's X-P  Also finally made a portable CDX/32X but the 3 battery packs needed is a little crazy...I'm going to perfect it over the summer into one compact unit-thatll be a challenge...
-Segasonicfan

[NFG]

A 9v battery is much smaller than a mess of AAs, but don't forget they're vastly more expensive and won't last nearly as long (if they provide enough amps to work at all).  Considering the cost of AAs at Costco you're out of your mind to try 9 volts.  

Does the NGPC even have 5 volts internally?  Since it runs on 3v I'd have guessed it's a 3v system, but I haven't checked.  That said all you need to find 5v is your handy multimeter.  Probe around until you find it.

[Scared0o0Rabbit]

radioshack sells LED's that run on 3v....

[NFG]

Pretty much ALL LEDs run on 3v, you'd have to actually try hard to find a 1.8v or 5v LED.  =)

[Scared0o0Rabbit]

radioshack also sells them at 5v as I recall

[Guest_Segasonicfan]

Thanks for your help guys.  Actually, after many hours of tinkering, I have decided to make the light overhead instead of back/front lit.  I finished the mod and it looks very nice, I'll try to get some pics up later.  I switched the red LED to a bright white hallogen powed LED which looks much nicer on my clean NGPC.  What I also did was using the LED from my (broken) Sega Nomad I made a very nice overhead lamp.  I used some strong, thick solder (without melting) to use as the hinges for the lamp to move on (to position over the screen).  Then I connected the wires from the LED through the inside of the system and out the back to a 9V connecter.  All I do is plug in the 9V and it brightens up perfectly.  So far the 9V has lasted a good 3 hours+ and Ive been running it today with no problem, so I think it's a good enough power source for the one bright LED.  In the future I'd like to get a couple more long LEDs and attempt a front lighting system although its damn near impossible.  The backlight wont work at all either because the systems screen wasnt designed for it (probably because its a TFT) so it will only reflect light from over head (or an overhead angle).  so internal lighting is likely out of the question, but who cares?  a poseable built in lamp is much better and it provides much better lighting than the worm light (bleh).  

oh-and on another NGPC related note, I tried to increase the speaker power with no luck  anyone know of a way I can make it more powerful?  I connected a Nomad speaker because I was naive enough to think it was just the power of the speaker.  It's the watts though....how can I increase this?  any help is appreciated thanks!!!

-Segasonicfan

P.S.  radio shack doesnt sell long LEDs....not mine, anyway

[Scared0o0Rabbit]

well if internal space wasn't such an issue, radio shacks sells these powered headphone splitters, but when you only run 1 jack on them, you can make the sound come out so ungodly loud that you'll never hear again.  I have one inside my saturn, just used a pot to stepdown the 5v I have inside my saturn to the 3v those things like.  If those things aren't as cramped inside as I would imagine for some reason you may find a way to put one in.