GCN Gamecube Portables

[Gonjona]

I'm attempting a Gamecube portable, and a few things are left vague in many tutorials or glossed over all together. Firstly, the battery. What kind of battery(s) should be used, voltage, capacity, everything. Secondly, is it possible to boot an SD media launcher or some other method of SD card using a modchip such as XenoGC? I would like to be able to use the portable without the original disk drive or a WiiKey Fusion (which i can't seem to find pricing and availability information for anyway).

 

[koffieleut]

https://www.element14.com/community/message/102097/l/gamecube-portable#102097

There are some answers on the element14 site. You could always check YouTube for tutorials.

 

[G0R3Z]

Unfortunately you absolutely need some way of booting into Swiss to run backups from the SDgecko.

I've made a couple of portables before and there's a few things to know.

Batteries should be the most expensive part of your build. Use quality. The Gamecube can run at about 11v with it's normal regulator, but if you use 'Zenloc's Custom Regulator', it can use 7.2v, allowing you to use higher capacity, smaller li-po 7.2v batteries. You need heavy electronics knowledge. Capacity? Higher the better. As long as you can make them fit.

You absolutely need a way to boot it into swiss to use the SD Gecko. This means a Viper GC, Wiikey (copies called WASP Fusion were made) or a WODE. You can use Wiikey's own menu, but it's better to autoboot into Swiss so you don't need that silly switch to trick it into thinking it's closed. Gamecube has no IPL exploits like the PS2 does, so you can't boot swiss from the Memory card either. You either need to keep the drive with a XenoGC (or a wii drive if you're adventurous, they apparently work with the proper wiring and power) or you need a replacement chip like a Wiikey or WODE. They're hard to find now, so unless you download the source code for the chips and make one, you have to pay out an extravagant amount for one.