Introduction: Super Mario Bros Inspired Wii With USB Base
In this instructable I will show you how I customized my Wii with a Super Mario Bros theme but mostly how to add a charger and usb port to the base and console.
WARNING:
I am not responsible if you screw up your Wii, you Will void your warranty if you open the Wii case!Please read ahead but mod at your own risk!
NOW ON EBAY PLEASE TAKE A LOOK!!
MY WII
Step 1: Things Needed
You will need:
A Wii
Tri wing / Phillips screwdriver
Bondo / silicone mold
Clay
Some piping
Wiimote Charger
wire, solder, soldering iron, usb male & female
paint
And some Balls to take apart your Wii!
Step 2: The Main Part
Modding the base
First I thought of a design and added things to it over about a week, so I was sure I got everything I wanted. The base has a Wiimote charger, extra usb port in front, and usb connector to the console.
I bought a cheep charger form Toys "R" Us about $20 and took it apart to get the good stuff. Then moved the contacts for the Wiimote into my Mario bros pipe, and made a custom mushroom for the color changing led that indicates the charge status. Lastly I sculpted the ascetics with clay then molded them with the silicone and made casts with Bondo so they are identical.
Step 3: Adding the Electronics
First I had to take apart the Wii you can find the steps here, keep everything organized it will help later, then find a spot to place the female usb port inside the Wii. The best spot looked to be behind the vent on the bottom. I then J-B welded it into place.
Next when the J-B weld hardened I put the male usb port in it, cut a hole in the base and placed the Wii case in its stand. Then J-B welded that usb in the base, so I was sure that their was a good fit.
After that I cut a slot in the front of the base and installed another female usb port. This way you have access to a usb port in the front instead of the rear of the Wii.
Step 4: Connecting the Electronics
This is where it counts!! Hooking the components up and making sure it works. When I took apart the charger I noted which wires were hooked up to what and simply reconnected them. Taking a look at the Wii board I found the usb ports and hooked up the wires as in the following pics.
Step 5: Primed and Painted
Finishing up, I painted my 3d Mario and planed to recreate some scenes from Super Nintendo's Super Mario All-Stars. I originally wanted to do NES Super Mario Bros, but it would have looked to pixelated and only have a few colors. I first painted the base then the Wii case. Many, many hours of mixing colors and hand painting was put into this Wii and I'm happy with the results. The way it works, is that when the Wii is on or is in standby the charger is activated. When the Wii is off, so is the charger.
It breaks my heart but, do to a lack of funds my poor Wii will most likely be up for auction on ebay in the upcoming week :(
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116 Comments
7 years ago on Introduction
I love it!!! you are so much more talented than anyone i have ever seen!
11 years ago on Step 5
I would really love some advice on how you used your bondo.
I'm currently working on doing two-part molding and am curious as to how well bondo would work for the project, I haven't worked with bondo before, so I do not know the consistency or anything else to expect and am curious, is it exceptionally thick and therefore would be difficult to use in two-part molding?
Lots of questions that boil down to simply, what bondo did you use, or does 'any' bondo work. and will it work in two-part molding?
11 years ago on Step 5
You are so talented - this is unreal. Jealous :(
11 years ago on Introduction
Awesome job man! It looks great!
12 years ago on Introduction
me gusta el diseño
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Realmente quiero que la wii
in english: i really want that wii
11 years ago on Introduction
(removed by Elmo)
12 years ago on Introduction
wos balls? my balls? ewwwwwwww
15 years ago on Step 5
How did you paint that, and what did you use ? (For the clay also) And how did you make the decoration around the base ? Oh, and how did you connect the clay to the wii ? Thanks if you reply !
Reply 15 years ago on Step 5
That Mario is all bondo (car body filler) I took a mold of the clay one and then filled the mold with bondo. It is all hand painted and mixed, it is model enamel paint. The grass around the base was clay rolled in long skinny cylinders then laid over, following a pattern. Then a mold was taken of that and reproduced to get symmetrical pieces in bondo. The bondo pieces were then epoxied to the base. So what you think is clay is actually bondo an hard plastic body filler.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
id easily give my wii for one of these
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Thank you very much ! I'm modding my own Wii in a similar fashion. What do you think about airbrushing it ? And how did you prep the Wii for painting ? Thanks again !
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
When I tried to airbrush it, it got ripples on it, I only airbrushed the blue because of the large area. I sanded the whole thing and primed it then repeated that a couple of times.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I think the sky looks better rough, feels more like a background.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Thank you for telling me ! I'll have to dig out my old Warhammer paints...
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
lol, warhammer paints if they're that old is reccomend new ones
Reply 14 years ago on Step 5
i tell you, krylon fusion is 5 bucks a can at walmart and would be worth every cent if it was $100. the only downfall is the limited color selection. what few things i have painted i did without primer and it came out perfect! just a thought. you gave me a pretty sweet idea. figure maybe i'd return the favor
12 years ago on Step 5
:0 absuloutly amazing man
13 years ago on Step 5
you an insperation i will kil lanyone who doesnt give it a 5 but why mario? if you did a legend of zelda that good id easily pay $600 for it
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
because nintendo is best known for mario and all his buddies.