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DS Mini USB Hack

September 17, 2009 in Mods comments 7

A neat little project for the brave/technically inclined that allows you to charge your DS with any basic Mini-USB charger (ultimately any new universal portable electronic charger)

Replacing the DS Lite power connector a Mini usb connector is actually quite easy, assuming you have the correct tools and the correct parts.
Deathsythe via surugi.com »
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  • 0
    VeGiTAX2 Sep 19, 09
    ouch wouldn't it be easier to use a regular usb cable and splice the power and negative wires appropriately and then tape it up? I did that for a friends PSP using a 4.5v jack and it was fine. :/
  • 0
    Deathsythe Sep 19, 09
    Yes, but that way ruins the USB cable and merely gives you another charger. By utilizing this hack, albeit cumbersome, it allows your DS to be charged from virtually any universal mini USB.
  • 0
    Shinobi_razor Sep 19, 09
    or...a better way would be to buy the cheapest DS charger you can find, cut the cord right next to the AC plug, then simply splice the desired length of cord with a normal USB connector on the other end. so one end will have the DS charger jack and the other will have a standard USB end, or you can put a mini USB on instead if you prefer.

    im not sure if this is what Vegita was talking about or not. but if so, im not sure what you mean by
    quote
    it allows your DS to be charged from virtually any universal mini USB.
    if you mean an AC adapter that has a mini USB port on it, well then just splice a mini USB jack onto the end of the cable. or you could even make more than 1 cable. 1 with a mini USB end and another with a regular USB end. still a lot better idea than screwing around with the DS mobo needlessly.
  • 0
    Deathsythe Sep 20, 09
    I'm not sure we are all understanding eachother regarding this USB cable thing.

    As it stands, a mini USB male connector cannot connect to the DS. After doing this hack, a male mini USB connecter will be able to.

    A similar charging connection is used for most new cellphones, cameras, and other personal electronics.

    • 0
      Shinobi_razor Sep 20, 09
      i dont think you understand us. it makes more sense to modify a pre existing DS charger with a USB end (or a mini USB if you prefer) on it than to take a chance of messing up your DS. if you screw up while modding the cable, you are only out $5 or $10, but if you screw up while trying to attach a USB port on the DS, you are out $90, and Nintendo wont fix it free cause you opened it. a lot of ppl arent good at soldering electrical components to mobos, where as splicing a few wires together can almost be accomplished by a chimpanzee.

      so why take a chance of that when you can accomplish the same thing by modding the DS charger instead? you are still getting the same result of charging the DS with a mini USB charger, but no harm to the DS.
      • 0
        VeGiTAX2 Sep 22, 09
        Exactly the point, botch the least expensive part of the modification not the most expensive. If the solder joint breaks or has any difficulty it's going to be a heartache. A USB cable can be cut at any length and spliced to the wires from the standard AC adapter.

        I mean sure you can potentially brick your DS if that's what you'd like but I'd rather have a functioning system with a USB charger I have to re-twist and crimp / tape every now and again if I'm rough on it. I don't think either of us are saying it wont work, we're just saying that given the price of components making your own USB charger instead of converting the entire DS is a lot safer in the long run for users overall.
  • 0
    cortenide Oct 22, 09
    Another way to make a cheap charger for the ds is to take a bog standard mini usb cable for the pc (you get them with most things nowadays so most people have a few of them)and reshape the mini usb end with needle nose pliers so that it fits the ds perfectly it took me about 5 mins to do and it still works a month later.Fair dos you have to charge from your pc but it is a viable alternative.

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