Assembling a ChImp: A beginner's guide—Part 1

A comprehensive guide to soldering, assembling the ChImp board, and general technique involved when beginning a dual system mod. This movie is intended for beginners or first-time solderers who want to get some experience before modifying the system.

A few notes on Soldering:

Soldering is a very handy technique used to combine electric components into a single circuit to do awesome things like make a controller that plays on both Xbox 360s and PlayStation 3s.

Soldering is very safe, and I find that the psychological deterrent of electricity and heat may scare some people. You won't be possibly electrocuted, as there is no power running thin this board, and you won't be burned as long as you respect the iron, but do not fear it.

Soldering is not too terribly hard, it's much like hot-gluing parts together, but instead of using glue, using metal. The most common problems include creating solder bridges (these are explained), or not applying enough heat.

If you want to get started on an easier project before beginning this one, I suggest buying this kit: http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-AmeriKit-Learn-Solder-Kit/dp/B0009Z3JJA
It has everything you need to get started (Though you will likely need more items as you get into more advanced soldering), is very detailed in instructions, and is much larger than most common circuit boards.

Also, buy a cheap soldering iron. It shouldn't be more than a few dollars, have a good tip, and do the one job it's made for—generating heat. Everything else is a bunch of bells and whistles that you really don't need.

Q&A

What is a ChImp?
A ChImp board is a circuit board that combines the Cthulu board (a PS3 Controller board by Toodles) and an Imp switch (A switch that can automatically detect the system it is connected to and pass over the control to the appropriate system)

Okay, so what does this mean?
You can use both this board, and solder it to a 360 controller board (guide coming soon), allowing your controller, most notably, a fightstick, to run natively on both the PS3 and 360

Where can I get one?
lizardlick.com
gamingnow.net
akihabarashop.jp

For more details, visit:
http://shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=162026

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• ChImp
• ChImping
• dualmod
• Madcatz
• fightstick
• TE
• SE
• Toodles
• Assembly
• Soldering
• beginners
• guide
• mod
• video game
• diy
• howto
• custom
• instructions
• instructional video
• tutorial

[j7512]

I have a 40W soldering Iron am I screwed? Because it's higher than 25W?

[nerrage]

@j7512 No way. You just will have a much higher heat to work with. Generally, for beginners, you want lower heat irons as to not damage PCBs from the excess mount of heat. But it will work just fine. You'll just have to work quickly to ensure you don't damage anything from excess heat.

[HELLSHATRED7]

wat ChImp board could i use for xbox 360 

[nerrage]

@HELLSHATRED7 Both work. If you want to save a few bucks, you can assemble the regular ChImp yourself, but ChImp SMD works just as well, in a smaller design, and is also preassembled for cheaper with screw terminals. I personally prefer to assemble the kits that you have a little bit of soldering practice before you get into your stick.

[a5noble2]

Thank you for the guide, I just subscribed. When will you have the dual modding guide coming out?  I know there are quite a few on SRK but a video is better IMO

[nerrage]

@a5noble2 I can't say for now. I want to have it up soon, but I've also completely bombarded my innards beyond the point of recognition to what it appeared beforehand, and I want it to look as stock as possible for the ease of understanding.

[RodmanIsASadPanda]

This is really nice music, can I have the name?

[j7512]

@nerrage I had the same kind of idea but I needed someone to confirm. Keep up the tutorials they are good guides for us electronics newbies!

[HELLSHATRED7]

@nerrage thks alot do you know a good site to get low price leds