PSOne Portable Hand-built

PSOne Portable, Hand-built
Chapter 13 of the book

Build a portable PSOne system with a 5″ TFT display, built-in battery pack, opening disc lid (under screen) Analog controls, Player 2 port and memory card slot.

This project can be constructed by hand using printed templates and hobby materials. You’ll also need a soldering iron, X-Acto knife, wire, screwdrivers and other common tools. Please note this is the most complex and time consuming project in the book.

Construction Resources

Once you’re ready to begin work on this project the links and information below will be of much help. All links open in a new window so you can easily come back here during your online part collection. This information is all contained in the book of course, but the book itself doesn’t have internet access 😉


Major Project Components

The two primary components of these projects are the original game systems, display and Sony Infolithium Type L battery. Below are the correct models to use, with a reference photo and easy-to-use automatic eBay search link.

Console model:
PSOne “Mini”, 2000 model
Automatic eBay search for this item (PSOne)
Display model:
PSOne 5″ TFT display – Official Sony Model
Automatic eBay search for this item (PSOne screen)
Battery model:

Sony Infolithium Type L series battery – NP550 or better

Automatic eBay search for this item (Type L battery)
The higher the NP-XXX number the better. 960 is the best, 550 minimum. Automatic eBay search for Type L battery charger
Be sure it’s for a “Type L” battery, or a multi charger that can fit a “Type L”. Other 7.5 volt batteries will work, however you may have to modify the project to get them to fit.

Electronic Components Lists and Part Numbers

I’ve separated the electronics parts list into what you can get online from Mouser (www.mouser.com) and what you’ll still need to find at Radio Shack. Therefore the two lists below are the same as the single list in the book. You’ll still need everything from both lists, but the more things you can get online from Mouser the cheaper it’ll be.

Unlike Digi-Key, Mouser’s website has no minimum order so it’s handy for the experimenter, plus they have good prices. Please note that the items for modding the PSOne screen (10 ohm resistors and white LED’s) are also included on this list. Using this list you can easily copy/paste the part numbers into Mouser’s web site (or Radio Shack’s, below) to complete on online order. Sure beats typing!

You can also use the eBay link above to the find right battery for this project.

PSOne hand built
Electronic Parts List from Mouser:

# Part Name Quantity Vendor Vendor Part #
1 4.5mm Tact Switch 6 Mouser, Inc. 688-SKHRAA
2 6mm Tact Switch 8 Mouser, Inc. 101-0161
3 10 ohm resistor (screen mod) 1 Mouser, Inc. 660-CF1/4L100J
4 T1 size white LED (screen mod) 3 Mouser, Inc. 606-CMD204UWC

Below are the Radio Shack electronics parts. Mostly the bigger, more mechanical stuff, plus the PC boards.

PSOne hand built
Electronic Parts List from Radio Shack (stores or online):

# Part Name Quantity Vendor Vendor Part #
1 General-purpose Component PC board 2 Radio Shack 276-149A
2 Phono jack 1 Radio Shack 274-246A
3 1/8” phone plug 1 Radio Shack 274-287
4 Male polarized connector (4 positions, Molex Type) 1 Radio Shack 274-224
5 5mm red LED (or color of your choice) 1 Radio Shack 276-330
6 SPST pushbutton switch 1 Radio Shack 275-646
7 SPST submini Slide Switch 1 Radio Shack 275-406
8 SPDT switch with 3/4” roller lever 1 Radio Shack 275-017

For remaining materials (screws, glues, plastics) please see the book.


Support Files

Contained in this single ZIP archive are all the files you need for this project. See book for more details. Includes templates, patterns and printable decal graphics.

Download PSone_handbuilt.zip


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