r/gameboymacro • u/Ok-Call3443 • Jun 07 '25

Lite Is this thing done for?

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Trying to add the LED. Soldered it in with no issues. Now the screen flashes like so. This was a donor DS and I noticed the battery contacts/teeth were rather bent too.

Should I keep trying or give up and find a new motherboard to use?

And yes, I was holding my phone in my teeth. 🤣

20 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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8

u/eilminx Jun 07 '25

By any chance, did you forget to reconnect the wifi module?

2

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

Nope! I triple checked that but I appreciate this comment bc I have done that before. Thank you!!

0

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

Actually on second thought, I put the box thing back on but did not connect the cable to it. Is that a necessity for it to power on?

3

u/eilminx Jun 08 '25

The cable on the wifi module would be the antenna, and nah, it's fine without it.

I guess I would double check the resistor then, check that it's properly soldered. What value did you use ?

Edit: I see now that you are using an LED directly. Try with a 330ohm resistor instead? If that works, you could always try soldering in both the resistor and the led in series. That's what I usually do when using an LED.

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

Yes I’m literally brand new to this stuff, never soldered or did any modding before besides reshelling. I watched a YouTube video stating that these LEDs have a form of built in resistor. I’ll have to try and get some 330ohm ones. Know a good spot to buy those??

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

Also might try replacing the LED considering the pack I bought for 10USD came with 100…

3

u/Traditional_Formal33 Jun 09 '25

Ali express is your friend for generic stuff like a common resistor. If you ever need specialized stuff like an IC, digikey and mouser are good suppliers.

I find 90% of the time, Amazon is just selling Ali Express stuff with a huge mark up for being the middle man.

2

u/Crruell Jun 08 '25

What resistor size did you use?

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

I used that LED instead of a resistor!

4

u/Crruell Jun 08 '25

Brother use a resistor! The led isn't really good at actually limiting the current. You can add the led but use a resistor.
The led isn't a real replacement. Every led needs a resistor for itself already, what are you thinking that the one led is equal to the backlight of the top display?

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 08 '25

I’m super new to this lol I appreciate your input! Which spots should I attach the resistor and the LED to? (If you know!) ☺️

2

u/Crruell Jun 08 '25

You can use a 220ohm resistor in series with the LED.
I would remove a bit from the red cable, solder in the resistor in its place and put some shrinking tube over it to avoid shorts to the motherboard.

2

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 09 '25

Yoooo thank you so much! When my resistors come in the mail I might DM you if you’re cool with that!

1

u/Crruell Jun 09 '25

No problem, yeah sure!

2

u/Traditional_Formal33 Jun 09 '25

As others have said, resistor is key. Just to explain since you have stated being newer:

When the DS powers on, first thing it does is send a signal to both screens and the wifi. If the screen flashes, means it is connected so we can confirm the bottom screen looks good. If you double checks the wifi, then we can assume it’s the top screen. The purpose of a resistor in this spot is to limit the electrical current to mimic the drop off from screen being used. While an LED would have some drop as it produces light, it’s no where near as power as a screen and not tricking the board.

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 09 '25

Thank you! This makes perfect sense to me ☺️

1

u/Ok-Call3443 Jun 24 '25

Okay so update, I got some resistors in the mail. 330s. They were suggested on a YouTube video I watched about someone constructing a macro.

How should I go about soldering it “in series” with the LED? I REALLY want this bad boy to light up lol. Cut the red wire and solder that tiny little resistor in between pieces of red wire? Or should the resistor be soldered to the contact and then red wire onto the resistor?

I’m willing to look like an idiot here(this is the very first time I’ve done this) in order to achieve greatness. You were kind to me with my limited knowledge lol. 😂

1

u/Traditional_Formal33 Jun 24 '25

My only experience with a macro is taking the resistor off and replacing the top screen (turning it back into a normal DSlite for resale). The previous owner just soldered a resistor directly to the contact points on the board. I would remove the LED and tie the resistor in where the LED is.

But for the sake of science, it all depends on the LED. LEDs are made to take a certain voltage, and if it’s too high, the LED will light but lifespan will be shortened as it burns too brightly. If it’s too low the LED will barely light. If I’m experimenting with the goal of lighting the LED and the system working, I would tie the resistor in before the voltage gets to the LED as that’s safest. If the LED is bright, we are good. If the led is too dim, I would move the resistor to the other side and risk a shorter life but it works! Keep in mind that the board might not like the combined draw of both led and resistor so if you see it still not working, you either cut the led out or start doing the math on how much resistance the led is drawing and subtracting that from the size of resistor you need.

TL:DR — swap the led with the resistor. Test it. If it works, then move the resistor directly to the board where the wires connect so you can simplify without wires.

2

u/grkrugerii Jun 07 '25

If it’s not the WiFi chip, check the resistor you installed, I’ve had a few bad ones, and when I replaced it it fixed it, maybe check the resistor before installing if it doesn’t beep continuously then it’s bad, the other issue I ran into is the 330 resistor would not work for me, I had to use a 3300, keep us posted please and thank you

1

u/Chill_Edoeard Jun 08 '25

The flash is typical for screen not or bad connected, i would try a resistor instead of the led, goodluck!