Badwolf Mod V2 for the Village Build

treenutter · February 27, 2016, 5:10pm

I decided to mod my GT2B using Badwolf’s enclosure. Printed the parts at Shapeways for about $37usd. Have had this part on my bench for a month and winter’s here!

Why do this? I’ve never had a single signal drop using GT2B, I trust it more than any other controller.

Here we go…

I managed to take apart the GT2B pretty easily. Here’s what I’ve got:

Mistake #1 is that I broke one of the battery leads when I took the plastic case off of the battery.

Question: can I use regular solder to reconnect it, or is this nickel requiring a different material? @lowGuido @longhairedboy

I’m assuming that this small circuit is the BMS for the battery, and that I shouldn’t remove it, correct? @chaka @sl33py

elkick · February 27, 2016, 5:20pm

It’s the BMS and it’s ok to solder that with regular solder, at least that’s what I did when the same happened to me.

treenutter · February 27, 2016, 5:35pm

Thx @elkick ! For reference, the pad beneath the board can be removed to make the repair easier!

treenutter · February 27, 2016, 9:44pm

I’m having a hard time separating the USB port. I managed to removing the solder that crosses the PCBs, but the pump doesn’t remove the hole-through solder.

Meanwhile, it looks like I could just leave the USB port completely intact and just cut a small hole in the enclosure handle for the USB port.

I mean look, it practically fits already! Has anyone done this before? @chaka @elkick @sl33py

Then I could cover it with one of these dust covers.

lox897 · February 27, 2016, 9:49pm

Yeah. I cut a hole. Haven’t finished the mod yet though. Mine is sticking out of the case a tiny bit. A rubber grommet would be a great idea.

treenutter · February 27, 2016, 9:50pm

Thx @lox897! Any chance I see a pic of how far it protrudes?

lox897 · February 27, 2016, 9:50pm

Yeah sure. I will post one up today. Pretty busy so probably tonight.

Haimindo · February 27, 2016, 10:31pm

Yeah, I just left the USB plug there and made a cutout for it

treenutter · February 27, 2016, 10:38pm

Thx @Haimindo how does it look? I’m wondering if if protrudes enough to be annoying during use.

elkick · February 27, 2016, 11:23pm

I use to heat the pins and lift the small PCB with a knife so that it has a small gap in between. Then I just cut the pins in the gap with a (very small) scissors. So you’ll get the USB separated.

treenutter · February 28, 2016, 12:51am

I got the battery wired up after the repair. Wrapped with standard electrical tape. I used the rbw wire and just cut the channel 3 wire off (the white one) since I don’t use it.

I decided to dremel out a new hole for the USB port. I opening is a little jagged; saved a lot of time a trouble though. I’ve got the battery plugged in and charging. So far no problem.

lox897 · February 28, 2016, 10:59am

Haimindo · February 28, 2016, 1:49pm

cmatson · February 28, 2016, 7:54pm

@lox897 is your USB port crushed in that pic?

lox897 · February 28, 2016, 8:01pm

No. Why do you say that? Are you talking about the V shape in it? I think it came like that…

EDIT: You’re right it was crushed a bit. Must have happened when I was putting it in the badwolf case. Anyway, I fixed it.

treenutter · February 29, 2016, 2:42pm

Thx @Haimindo this helps me to understand how it should look!

treenutter · February 29, 2016, 2:51pm

Nice call @cmatson I was wondering the same thing!

Thx @lox897 it looks like it is possible to get USB to just barely protrude. With a rubber grommet over it I bet won’t even notice it. I’m surprised that the enclosure design doesn’t just include this cutout by default.

One benefit of leaving the usb port intact is that it still routes charging through the rest of the electronics on the controller, so the charging lights still work. If you move the USB plug connect it directly to the battery, I think you’d lose this feature. EDIT: @elkick confirms that the charing lights still work if you move the USB port.

Almost done with this mod… still tinkering with the fit of the trigger and trying to get everything to line up. I think I’ll find a way to wrap the handle in something with some grip to it; a silicone sticker or tape.

treenutter · February 29, 2016, 3:00pm

Mistake #2 I cut the arm of the trigger mount too short, and had to superglue it back together. It seemed in the way at first so I lopped it off. Whoops!Live and learn!

lox897 · February 29, 2016, 7:21pm

Be very careful when handling the antenna mine snapped off so I’ve got to solder it back on.

elkick · February 29, 2016, 7:47pm

No, that’s still working too.