Hardware Replacing 3DS Charging port with Micro USB

Kayot

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
362
Trophies
0
Website
sites.google.com
XP
490
Country
United States
You can buy a 2$ charging cable that can plug into a USB power source from DealExtreme. I personally think Nintendo should have standardized the charging port.
 

raulpica

With your drill, thrust to the sky!
Former Staff
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
11,056
Trophies
0
Location
PowerLevel: 9001
XP
5,716
Country
Italy
I meant more if it would be electrically possible to unsolder the current power port on the back and solder in a micro-usb port. Just for charging.
Yes you can, but you must be super-skilled ad soldering. Not even kidding.

You can buy a 2$ charging cable that can plug into a USB power source from DealExtreme. I personally think Nintendo should have standardized the charging port.
Quicker, cheaper and you'll be sure to have a working 3DS after attempting it :P
 
  • Like
Reactions: jagerstaffel

endoverend

AKA zooksman
Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
2,846
Trophies
0
Website
zooksman.com
XP
2,906
Country
United States
Anything is possible with the right tools... but I have no idea how.
If you're willing to try it, I'm sure you could get it to work, but keep in mind that the 3DS port is slightly bigger than a microUSB port, and it might cause some casing problems.
And like raulpica said, you need super soldering skills.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Salamencizer

alepolo101

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
11
Trophies
0
Age
24
Location
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
XP
117
Country
Canada
Hmmmmm... Would I really need that good of soldering skills? I have decent soldering skills (High school electronics class). Would that be enough? And does anyone have any information of what I'd have to solder where?

And I wanted this more for the cool factor and the fact that I have 5.5 million micro usb cables. (Okay not really but you get the point)

I was also planning on getting a 3DS realy cheap on ebay that has a broken charging port. Would it be harder than replacing it with another nintendo one?
 

Kayot

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
362
Trophies
0
Website
sites.google.com
XP
490
Country
United States
Please combine your posts.

My suggestion would be, check the pin-out for both and see if they match.

3ds -> http://gbatemp.net/threads/dsi-3ds-charger-pinout.305834/
micro usb -> Google Micro USB Pin-out

Please note that I've only done three solders and I toasted a PS2 installing a mod chip. I'd assume that it is possible. Heck, if you have the right tools you might be able to add the charging port next to the original and have two charging ports (only use one at a time)
 

tbb043

Member
Member
Joined
Jan 30, 2008
Messages
1,754
Trophies
0
XP
1,488
Country
United States
but keep in mind that the 3DS port is slightly bigger than a microUSB port, and it might cause some casing problems.

Yeah, if I was going to do this, I'd probably go for mini USB, not micro. Surely if you have a ton of micro cables around you also have a few mini cables.
 

alepolo101

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
11
Trophies
0
Age
24
Location
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
XP
117
Country
Canada
Lol I have a ton of mini usbs too. I mostly use them for my ps3 controllers.

EDIT: Doesn't look impossibly hard... And as long as the wiring was right there would be no risk of shorting it? Like Mini/Micro USB and the 3DS port use the same voltage/amperage and such?
 

Zanoab

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2009
Messages
127
Trophies
1
XP
616
Country
United States
I personally turned my 3ds charging cord into an adapter so I can charge over usb. Much easier, safer, and less risky than messing with the insanely compact circuitry.

I recommend you look up some pics before you commit because most people chicken out of modding their 3ds for nand dumps after opening the case (and some that don't just screw it up).
 
  • Like
Reactions: raulpica

raulpica

With your drill, thrust to the sky!
Former Staff
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
11,056
Trophies
0
Location
PowerLevel: 9001
XP
5,716
Country
Italy
Hmmmmm... Would I really need that good of soldering skills? I have decent soldering skills (High school electronics class). Would that be enough?
You need to be able to desolder SMD components, so you need an Hot Air Station ($50), and to solder the new port you'll need a GOOD soldering iron with supersmall tip, around 2mm ($80). Don't EVER think of doing this with a $10 iron from RadioShack.

Is it worth spending 130 bucks just to solder a microUSB port? Decide for yourself ;)
 

alepolo101

Member
OP
Newcomer
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
11
Trophies
0
Age
24
Location
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
XP
117
Country
Canada
I'm currently still in high school... And my teacher keeps tho more advanced stuff (like the good soldering irons and a hot air station) in his office so most kids don't break them. So I should be able to get that equipment for free. If it really is impossibly hard, I may be able to enlist his help as well.

EDIT: Sadly I have no clue how do unsolder SMD components... I would have to ask if he could teach me. If I were to replace the port with another 3Ds port would that be easier?
 
  • Like
Reactions: raulpica

endoverend

AKA zooksman
Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Messages
2,846
Trophies
0
Website
zooksman.com
XP
2,906
Country
United States
I'm sure a high school professor will see that as good practice for your electronics class. If you have access to that equipment, it might be possible if you do lots of research and preparation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: raulpica

raulpica

With your drill, thrust to the sky!
Former Staff
Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
11,056
Trophies
0
Location
PowerLevel: 9001
XP
5,716
Country
Italy
I'm sure a high school professor will see that as good practice for your electronics class. If you have access to that equipment, it might be possible if you do lots of research and preparation.
This. Just be prepared to ask for help or you might find yourself with a non-working 3DS :P
 

hundshamer

Well-Known Member
Member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
1,810
Trophies
0
XP
924
Country
United States
A rework station is not necessary, but it sure would make things a bit easier. There are only 6 points, 2 (+/-) for the connector, 2 (+/-) for he cradle connectors, and 2 anchors.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SmileCitrus

Site & Scene News

Popular threads in this forum

General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    [He will] only make $1.5 million per night after taxes. Poor guy
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    My stupid computer chair keeps slowly going down, but I don't notice it goes down, until I'm like reaching up to my desk. I just bought this f er last year.
  • BakerMan @ BakerMan:
    Does Bruno Mars is gay?
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    K3nv2 would know...
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Only for Bakers
    +1
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    I heard he has a Wario fetish, but only if no Wizards are around.
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    jk with you Bakerman, much love. fist bump.
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    He really knows how to kneed the dough
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    Man. I can't wait til CTGP 8 comes out on Switch, been waiting forever.
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    Boners Makes me wanna play Duck Hunt NES
    +1
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Pooping nice
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    What is a "Poop de Boop"? I've heard it mentioned several times now but have no idea and can't find anything online bout it. Is it a British term for restroom/bathroom or something?
  • Psionic Roshambo @ Psionic Roshambo:
    It is a perfume
    +1
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Why do we have virgin islands if it's populated
    +1
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    They should change the name to K3Nv2's Mom islands. (Or before he responds, My Wifeys Islands)
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Nah me saying that's more predictable than you talking about my mom
    +1
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Hence urewifes so predictable she'd buy every man on the virgin islands
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Or they buy her
  • BigOnYa @ BigOnYa:
    true dat, on that note I'ma try go get some myself, peace!
  • K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2:
    Guess she doesn't need to be bought she has your money
    +1
    K3Nv2 @ K3Nv2: https://youtube.com/shorts/-GDjDECLDG0?si=MNEjk8rkmioj1xE2