Building the Ultimate Nintendo 64 Power Adapter

[@DdlyHeadshot]

This method was actually better than 3d printing as you've repurposed someone else's e-waste instead of generating your own.

[@chrispy-MF]

Just use an extension cord and run it all the way to the U.S.

[@toara]

lmao

[@elephystry]

Idk might need.. two extension cords

[@toara]

run it off of the internet

[@cst1229]

To 5 different cores of the world around the world, -on each planet in the solar system.- (LGIO reference)

[@bretsutherlandsterriblemem8439]

Just dig through to the us

[@ShankMods]

I would advise swapping out that 3.3v regulator. Those cheap adjustable regulators are well known to put out a very dirty signal. Even if it looks like a stable 3.3v under load, there is a lot of ripple and AC elements. It can cause issues such as audio buzzing, and video interference. Using dirty power can reduce the life of your console and games, and can even damage/destroy them. I would suggest using a more stable and clean regulator such as a PTH08080. They are much smaller, more efficient, and put out a much, much cleaner signal

[@MattKC]

I'll look into that, thanks!

[@MattKC]

@@zm7160 Huh... looking closer at the footage I think you're right. I guess that happened in shipping? So indeed it's probably worth swapping out for a new regulator soon

[@aeleequis]

A surprise to be sure, but a welcomed one

[@ShankMods]

@@MattKC the point Z M made about the low pass filter is an excellent one. Much of the noise from Chinese regs like these tend to come from their omission of key components used to clean up the signal. Re-adding these may solve the problem, but I don't know for sure. But in my years of portablizing, I've seen many a console, including N64s, destroyed by those blue boards

[@littlenyancat5754]

That sticky foam surprisingly actually has a function! It dampens the vibrations in the transformer so the power adapter doesn't emit a whining sound (since these transformers deal with frequencies in the 1000's of hertz). The foam couples the transformer to the casing physically so the vibrations are dissipated and makes them basically inaudible (or just harder to hear to most people). Also I don't want to ruin your un-guiltness, but that adapter would've been probably fine if you replaced that nasty-looking power cord. But hey, this mod is undoubtedly a more interesting and fun journey!

[@MrMario2011]

A GameCube controller with Goldeneye at 18:48 sounds like a gamechanger.

[@ThatOldSchoolMagic]

Depends if you can change the controls. Some games on N64 allow you to do a lot while others are pretty strict like Doom64.

[@c8r9a9m3]

Yeah thats what I came to the comments to find more info about :O

[@endstarofficial]

I saw that too

[@FabioGnecco]

raphnet adapter !

[@jacobreeder8155]

one of the best games and one of the best cotroler

[@teh_supar_hackr]

MattKC: gets a router for it's power brick Spongebob: Buys a massive flat screen just for the box Same energy

[@RobbWes]

It was Squidward who bought the TV. SpongeBob just took the box.

[@missingno2401]

@@RobbWes no, spongebob buys the massive flatscreen and only uses the box. squidward comes to ask for the tv and spongebob gives it to him.

[@TheEnderpearl1]

Not really, Spongebob paid for the TV and Matt got a free power brick

[@parkerginnalt2502]

@@TheEnderpearl1 hol' up

[@cowgoesmoo3850]

Haha I just started watching spongebob again, all from episode 1 season 1.

[@thx4nothing]

MattKC: This tape exists soley to make it harder to open. Thanks Nintendo! 8:15 also MattKC: I decided to just use mounting tape. 17:35 You have become the very thing you swore to destroy!

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

To be fair the old components are fitted to the old case so they shouldn’t be rattling around the same way that his new components do.

[@bensenboi5933]

Shut up like Actually shut up

[@MacBack123]

also 12:55

[@NordicDan]

@@bensenboi5933 Lighten up, Francis

[@bensenboi5933]

@@NordicDan no

[@PoisonedElite]

Fun fact: the port/plug that the N64 uses for its power input is the same plug that the Virtual Boy uses to connect the controller to the headset.

[@omegarugal9283]

so thats where that weird plug came, from all those discarded virtual boys

[@theputnamto3468]

"i wonder who's idea it was to use sticky foam" *uses sticky foam at end of video*

[@TubeHeader]

When did the 8 bit guy turn into an australian millennial?

[@wdd6864]

We need him to meet LGR

[@pnnytx]

Australian millenials = American boomers

[@AlexS-sc3gb]

Double the content!

[@teh_supar_hackr]

Or maybe this is his unknown son?

[@sceerane8662]

He's clearly a flawed clone, The 8-Bit Guy hates double sided tape.

[@wdd6864]

I love when you use the Windows sounds for blocking the cursing

[@markusTegelane]

chord.wav

[@oliwierw3460]

@@markusTegelane no windows 2000 error sound

[@grkb]

@@oliwierw3460 which is 98's chord.wav

[@luk_143]

Plz give me chord.wav as an .mp3

[@grkb]

@@luk_143 just convert it yourself

[@Fifury161]

8:15 - I think it's there as an acoustic coupler - to stop the mains hum of the transformer resonating in the case... Of course it could also be to stop the board rattling about the case...

[@startedtech]

10:00 you better keep your doors locked, I'm gonna take a boat to australia and steal your stash of $1 power supplies.

[@StimsLuap]

For reference, the 12 volt line into the N64 goes directly to a 7805 linear regulator, so any voltage above 7 VDC will run it just fine.

[@jckf]

IIRC it's also only used for the N64DD 🤔

[@Xnoob545]

me after inputting 10000V to it: hmm... I'm not sure if that worked...

[@Curt_Sampson]

@@Xnoob545 Yeah, you don't want to go too far with it; the max input voltage to a 7805 is usually around 30-35 V. But the real limit in a system is going to be based on heat dissipation. So at, say, 8 V your system should run a bit cooler than it will with a 12 V input.

[@Jawmsie]

Awesome work, dude! One thing I will say is that when you're testing something that's plugged into mains with a multimeter, you should try to use both probes with just one hand. If you cause a short with one probe in each hand, it'll leap across your whole body and potentially stop your heart. If you have both probes in one hand, the path of least resistance will still toast your fingers, but you're far more likely to survive.

[@userPrehistoricman]

The short will leap across your body? Holding two probes in one hand also makes you far more likely to slip. The reason that probes have the little disc near the end is so that your fingers don't slide onto the metal part.

[@gunnish1337]

And probably use a better rated multimeter

[@Jawmsie]

It's something an electrician buddy said to me once. It's possible that I am wrong.

[@JetSetDman]

when he said “the world” and the music cut out, i was half expecting the colors to invert and a clock to start ticking

[@synexiasaturnds727yearsago7]

references

[@ycsawampfpycs2007]

@@synexiasaturnds727yearsago7 indeed references.

[@BrapBrapDorito]

ZA WARUDO

[@dom_the3166]

I think the foam tape was probably to prevent the electronics rattling around inside the case, or perhaps to reduce coil whine since it was on a transformer.

[@ThousandsOfPk]

Given other disassemblies didn't have that issue I reckon the faulty cord could have started some overheat and saulded the top on

[@caminatior]

“It fits about as well as I could’ve hoped, considering the case definitely wasn’t designed for this” -me putting Catan cities and knights back in the box

[@Sauraen]

Warning, folks, if you're taking apart switching power supplies, especially ones that may not be working, they have a high-voltage capacitor inside which can seriously shock you. In most decent designs it will discharge itself over a few minutes if left unplugged, but if it's broken or if it was a cheap design it might not. If you don't know how to measure it with a voltmeter to make sure it's discharged, you probably shouldn't be attempting the repair. Those thumbs on the underside of the PCB in the video are a big no-no.

[@dominikborowski]

I screamed 'nooooooooooooo' when seeing him doing that. Hurts a lot to touch one, don't ask me how I know.

[@0bread00]

Who + asked

[@ed_games56]

​@@0bread00This guy really whipped out the worst comment and username of all time.

[@AMD_Fan_98]

​​@RizzySkibi Of all channels, you chose to comment it on a... wait a minute, you're a troll, why am I wasting my time?

[@0bread00]

@@AMD_Fan_98 wait a minute why did u edit the comment u wasted even more time

[@PokeMaster22222]

15:18 Imagine if it was a delayed reaction - "good news, my house didn't cat-OH NO" *pzzzt*

[@wedddealer]

7:54 "eventually i just stuck a flathead screwdriver in and pushed, finally, it *popped* out" *board flies across the room*

[@craftnut]

great content as always, out of curiosity what happened to the ultimate Windows 98 machine?

[@MattKC]

Next video ;)

[@jaydenridley4]

MattKC YES

[@bruhmomment2999]

MattKC can’t wait

[@deadyguy2512]

@@MattKC LES GOOO

[@Kirkklan]

@@MattKC any projections?

[@kridocaign5722]

Advice: If you think you might want to test the voltages of connections *while the device is running*, then run bodge wires from the contact points to a small breadboard away from everything else. That leaves much less chance for slipping and/or shorting things out. I honestly even tell you how much ass that has saved over the years.

[@WednesdayMan]

"let's start with... the world" *time stops as the camera zooms in*

[@riskyb250]

I like how you edited out the part where clarksons wooden parking brake bounces up and smashes his rear glass. Right after he talks about his genius.

[@Cain532.]

Holy hell, that 'Will it Blend' intro music slapped me in the face with so much nostalgia I almost died.

[@csbauder]

I actually use that buck converter for a lot of my projects. They're great for laser projects because they tend to draw a lot of power. They're not perfect, but they're good enough for personal stuff.

[@trevorbriggz]

wow youtube recommended this as soon as it was uploaded, cool!

[@davymcmenamin]

damn sticky foam. watched some videos about how to disassemble my particular model of phone a couple of years ago. Not one video showed the sticky stuff. After about 4 hours of trying to get the battery off the back of the board, I got fed up and tried to slip the back of my blade in between them. The fireworks were spectacular.

[@luk_143]

oof.wav

[@Big_Funky]

Moment moment

[@MagicalPhi]

1:34 N64-themed gender reveal party?

[@JessYoutubeAccount]

Ya know, theses kinds of videos can be boring from other KZbinrs. Almost as Painful to watch as the troubleshooting is for the creator. But your different. You're so likable, fun to listen too, create so much suspense, use so many great memes and songs, and manage to get me so invested in each moments sucess it's as if I was there with you. I know my opinion doesn't matter, and KZbin comments are stupid, but I have to let you know I just love your videos! Really helped me through the day.

[@stephenhammonds2834]

"I didn't die and my house isn't on fire." That's setting the bar pretty low

[@zm7160]

I love that he is mad at and confused by existance of the mounting foam in the beginning of the video and by the end of the video is bringing his own into the project.

[@Kylefassbinderful]

I know Australia is HUGE _but_ if you're anywhere near DankPods you guys should make a collab video. Your calm demeanor would work well with his 'through the roof' energy. You guys could find a cool project to work on. Preferably something audio related.

[@gamerboi1528]

Yes that's a very good idea

[@tylerlapalm4020]

I was just yelling in my mind "full bridge rectifier"

[@emmettturner9452]

Wall-warts are usually sonic-welded instead of glued. I've had good luck just throwing them down hard on concrete or asphalt if the adapter is heavy enough (the older linear transformer types typically are).

[@daijoubu4529]

I just use a vise clamp

[@francistheodorecatte]

Daijoubu or if your name is Big Clive, you use 'the vise of knowledge.'

[@matthewlewis5631]

Yeah just slowly close it up in a vise - there will be a gradual satisfying crack, like when you goto the chiro 🤣

[@ShignBright]

"Why is this so hard to open? Foam tape??" Later: *Uses mounting tape to keep things from moving*

[@ChicaneEP3]

One of the coolest DIY projects I’ve seen so far. Another great vid Matt :)

[@hadesthegod9181]

Awesome video man! You’re a terrific speaker and demonstrator. Love your humor lol

[@chickendog3042]

I'm not mad just disappointed 10/10 would watch again

[@x35gaming]

the choke on the buck converter is cracked

[@hellocreeper88]

You see that? Genuine original. *Taste of luxury* 2:29

[@AractusPuphlicus]

Yes, FINALLY! That is the correct way to measure the input voltages. Although I'm not sure I'd use an average quality switching adapter for the purpose myself!

[@loader6989]

Are you aware that you can use the Australian n64 power supply in any of the n64 ntsc consoles. Well, i have for the last 8 years with no problems. Great video :)

[@draconic5129]

Not travel friendly though.

[@Divide]

When I was about 10 years old my family lived in a house with bad electrical wiring. My N64 one day stopped working after a power outage. I remember the power brick started leaking some weird oil. I'm guessing the oil came from that fat cap. I had to call Nintendo parts, and order one through mail since adapters weren't sold in store. Finally got my replacement about three months later. I still can't believe I went through the whole process of ordering on my own at 10 years old. N64 adapter holds a special spot in my heart. lol Great Vid!

[@titanderp]

“Well, let’s start with the world...” ZA WARUDO! TOKI WO TOMARE!

[@javierborquez]

I love Matt process of making things. Sometimes when I see a youtuber using a 3d printer I feel like watching Art Attack as a kid and seeing them use Paper Mache, sure, you can make everything exactly what you want, but sometimes it is more entertaining to see someone creatively using things instead of PaperMaching their way out.

[@jamespigeon1399]

17:35 you have become the thing you swore to destroy

[@lauej]

The foam at 8:10 is to prevent it from vibrating/coming loose. Solder is not as strong as we think for sustained vibrations on heavy objects.

[@slamn690]

"almost forgot how to N64" xD that was gold

[@blu_wraith6693]

2:03 I feel called out

[@PixPMusic]

OH HECK, the input IS 100-240V. I almost called you on "any country in the world" for a bit but HOT DAMN

[@aiden_3c]

I like how I looked at your CRT and thought "that looks really good, I wonder if its a Trinitron" then look at the top left of the TV and see that it is

[@8Bitplus]

Great content! I hope to add this kind of storytelling intoy future mod/repair videos

[@albi2k88]

Capacitors on badly/cheap designed power adapters can hold over 120-230V (AC after rectifying give more voltage DC) after disconnecting. So everyone should handle its internals with caution even when its unplugged.

[@soviut303]

Your content is really good so please take this as constructive criticism; you don't need to keep polluting it with memes and jump cuts. You can be funny and informative without trail-off sentences and other KZbinr tropes. You're well researched, a technical wizard, a good speaker and your topics are engaging as hell even for viewers who aren't into said topics. You don't need to hedge with fake awkwardness because you're concerned about being too technical; You're nailing it.

[@Pie_Time]

This video taught me if you need a power adapter take any free tech handouts.

[@tomekhornik1831]

8:20 exellent

[@StarfighterJohansson]

Great, great work! This video was right up my alley. Interesting subject and very funny humour, thanks for amazing entertainment! Can't believe it took me this long to discover your channel, but I guess I'm here now! Carry on! :)

[@brooklyn11218]

I really like the figure 8 adapter. I'm tempted to do that with mine.

[@rostyc]

3:48 Dead people aren’t forced to serve in an army, so that’s a win

[@Tele_pl]

“ZA WORLDO!!!!” - Dio, oh and MattKC

[@ThePeacePlant]

You are one step ahead. I immediately asked myself how and why does he need to make another power brick. You answered that immediately

[@DiggOlive]

17:23 “I decided that I needed to stick them in place.” Hmmm. Does that sound familiar??

[@OnlyEpicEmber]

No irony here, no siree

[@can2835]

do you know the song at this time? thank yoy

[@leocat2662]

@@can2835 Nintendo DS, 50 Classic Games: Game 2

[@CullenCraft]

That foam is probably there for vibration dampening. The transformer its attached to might vibrate because of tiny electromagnetic forces and the foam could keep it from rattling itself loose over years and years. Great video, btw. Love your stuff.

[@chriscomda]

Be careful touching the pcb on the bottom the capacitors could still have some charge which can kill.. if u don’t already know

[@Elektronaut]

I noticed that the toroidal core of the step down converter is smashed (see 14:01 ). It's amazing that it's still working

[@Saturnman262]

18:50 Playing an N64 with a Gamecube controller...

[@PPP-dr8ng]

Yes

[@dandy7477]

The only way I play. Piss on those crappy worn out joysticks

[@nu52927]

18:49 nice n64 gamecube controller

[@amaiorano]

I recently discovered that my thrift store has a wall full of AC adapters. Definitely something to check out. Nice project :)

[@xsterawesome]

If anyone else still wants to know the easiest way to open sonically welded plastic cases (like the power adapter from the router), all you have to do is put it on a hard table and whack it with the handle of a big screwdriver on the seam of the case. After a few whacks, it will pop right open without a chance of damaging anything inside.

[@Rehaaabek]

0:15 POV: Your geography teacher

[@MrNerdHair]

Fun fact: most DC power bricks like this are, in fact, copacetic with high line voltages even if they don't say so. Assemblies like this with captive cords are usually marked only for the voltage matching the attached plug, but the actual power electronics are usually flexible enough to handle anywhere from 100 to 250 volts. The general design uses a step-down transformer to go down to something like, say, 20 volts AC right off the bat; this is followed by a full bridge rectifier and some caps to turn that AC waveform into a crappy 30 volt DC supply. As the final stage, a simple switching regulator steps down that super crappy supply to 12V (or whatever) and cleans it up in the process. Transformers are limited by heating related to current draw (which decreases at higher voltages) and insulation strength (which is typically at least 1000V, even for the crappiest enameled wire). Likewise, even the cheapest full-bridge rectifiers are frequently rated for 1000V or more. The switching supply uses an actual measurement of the target voltage to set its target, so basically any input voltage above it's output voltage (plus a volt or two for the transistor drop) will work, as long as it doesn't exceed the absolute maximum rating of the power transistors used, which is usually at least 40 volts. Looking up the markings on the chips used will usually let you find a datasheet and check their ratings to be sure, but as long as the switching regulator and the smoothing capacitor immediately after the rectifier are good enough I'd say it's worth a shot to just plug it into the mains and see if it doesn't just work.

[@Draekmus]

For a future project, I would suggest revising this to use USB-C instead of a figure 8 plug. USB Power Delivery has two profiles you might be interested in: 12V 1.5a (18 watt) and 12V 3a (36 watt). Both of these come directly from the PD source external to the connection, so it would significantly increase space inside the adapter to put in a better 3.3V regulator and the Type-C parts needed to negotiate the correct profile. On top of that, if you use a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 interface (or supports charging via USB-C) you can use the same adapter to power your devices meaning one less cable to lug around. I’m not a definitive expert on Type-C, but I think their PD profiles are worth researching, since current standards support up to a total of 100 watts. Maybe retrofit some older consoles to run off of USB, lol!

[@IngwiePhoenix_nb]

That's be a cool project to let RetroCables see and watch if they make it. Good, multi-region aftermarket cables...that'd rock a lot!

[@ShakeItLittleTina]

Always happy to see you upload, every time you upload something new I basically watch everything on your channel

[@NaveTVG]

Sleep? Nah, this is more important. Love your videos, dude! This is a really cool project, dead proprietary tech sucks

[@Plan-C]

Great video. Just be aware that the output voltage of those cheap adjustable dc/dc converters can drift over time and with temperature. I tried one that looked exactly like yours in s DIY C64 PSU and it drifted up about a quarter of a volt under load in about an hour when soak testing. I went with an MP1584 board instead in the end. Much smaller too and about £1. My genuine n64 psu gives random lines across the dcreen so looking for solutions as well. Keep it up.

[@djelibaebi]

6:15 i love the camera here, it just keeps panning onto the empty desk

[@gaggioaxel]

When disassembling a high ac voltage converter you should pay attention not to touch contacts of big capacitors in the board, and should make sure to discharge them by shorting the two pins. Those can store a lot of power, keep it even when unplugged and can shock you.

[@Windows95pro]

16:31 I was half expecting him to say "the reason this is upside down is because we are un Australia, duh"

[@Ch0rr1s]

8:00 - The sticky foam could be meant to dampen the vibration of the transformer it is attached to. Transformers start swinging when used. This thing is probably 50 or 60hz so the vibration would be audible. Maybe the foam reduces this vibration lessening the noise.

[@LunaWuna]

It's a very small transformer with only a small quantity of windings. It's definitely for high frequently swichmode power supply stuff

[@youlookitup]

The father I go back the better the video. I must say each video is AMAZING. so glad I found this channel. It I’ll one day be huge :)

[@sovichet]

i was about to sleep then i saw the notification well I am not getting any sleep anymore

[@FoxBlocksHere]

New MattKC video = A happy me

[@xPLAYnOfficial]

If you need anything 3D printed, let me know. I'm sure we can figure something out :)

[@nicholashein1238]

Awesome mod! I'm really pleased to see it ended up working flawlessly. Great job!

[@bj0urne]

2:20 Well... that's because it is.

[@the_kovic]

An Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine ROM on the Everdrive... I see you're a man of culture as well.

[@thatoneidiotxav]

"This is a death cable and it will kill you" Ha, you fool! I plugged one of those in and only got a tiny explosion! - still did hurt a bit tho -

[@enterchannelname7568]

For breaking apart an ac adapter / wall plug I typically wrap the plug in a towel to not damage the case and hit it with a blunt object, rubber mallet is best. Rotate and hit the different sides evenly until eventually it comes apart. Some require more force than others.

[@SweetBean92]

0:23 Anarchist MattKC lol

[@sirrealsam]

Matt: using double sided tape at 16:01 Nintendo: You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me.

[@jesseidk1069]

“Me and belle delphenes dm’s” XDD

[@TamFishe]

about the cable thingy at the broken adapter, i had a charging cable for my phone who was starting to get like that and i didn't know what was the issue, so, thanks for letting me see the true thing about cables getting their copper wires out

[@EricN73158]

Man it was about mid to late 90s that they just started using them plastic clips to hold everything and I hate them too! I use to love my old 92 toyota corolla. I could take the car apart with out dealing with the hidden plastic clips. Everything was screwed down. But now-a-days no one wants to see ugly ass SCREWS :( Makes me so sad cuz it is what I like seeing. So I know I can take shit apart and put it back looking fine and fixed. If I need to take something apart that is to fix it.

[@ixionn563]

That is the exact reason I prefer older cars. I'm not some sort of hipster (well honestly, maybe), I just like being able to perform my own repairs and maintenance. I just don't feel the need to drive a brand new car like a lot of people do, as long as I have basic features like fuel injection (at least for a daily) and power steering. I can put features like a full aftermarket stereo in (which is often better than factory "premium audio" anyway), backup camera, upgraded headlights with projector lenses, etc, myself, all while enjoying the simplicity and reliability of an older car. You're simply locked away from doing any of these things with cars of the recent years, computers aren't really even to blame for this, the manufacturers who designed them are.

[@FR4M3Sharma]

0:39 bro that VHS filter was so accurate that I thought it was his actual old video of him demonstrating something from the 90s then my brain pulled a HolUp and asked wait how old is he?

[@coolduder1001]

wouldn't a PAL power adapter work just fine? It has to output the same voltage as all other adapters.

[@draconic5129]

1:00 Then he wouldn't be able to use it in other countries when traveling.

[@hhhsp951]

Can't believe I missed this for a week. A whole week

[@kapparill]

i was just talking to my friend about buying a new n64 power adapter

[@pompuyoytspunbytails9907]

My power went out the second you turned on the console