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MadCatz Energizer LED modification
I tried the Pelican mod with the Radio Shack LED but I realized I have one of the newer versions of the Pelican lights. Even with 2 LEDs I was not satisfied with the illumination. As the older version will become increasingly more difficult to find I set out to find another solution.
I bought the MadCatz light and Magnifier at Wal-Mart for $7.97.(Don’t get the translucent version or you will have light shining up in your face.) This unit uses 2AAA batteries so it doesn’t drain the GBA. Also with having its own power supply you are not current limited as you are from the GBA port. This gives you greater flexibility in making modifications. The MadCatz has two light bulbs. The light from them is very poor, so the search for a bright LED was on.
The real find come in the flash light isle at the local Wal-Mart. I found an Energizer folding LED light for only $8.76. This light has two extremely bright LEDS that are made to look like mini fluorescent lights. These are much brighter than the Radio Shack LEDs and cheaper as well.
The task was to install the Energizer LEDS into the MadCatz Light. Turned out to be a great mod and provides the best lighting solution I have seen. I didn’t think that I needed the magnifier as it doesn’t magnify much. However, when you have the magnifier set down on an angle it cuts out almost all the glare. If you don’t like the magnifier it is easily removable. The spacing of the LEDS is about 1/3 of the way in for the each edge of the screen so the coverage is excellent.
While I don’t have Castlevania I do have Harry Potter which is very difficult to see. With the mod the colors are bright, the full screen is illuminated and the game is now playable.. The real test is theinto screen which has the gray clouds moving across the screen. They are very visible with the mod.
Down side: If you are at the wrong angle there is some nasty glare.
Rough procedure:
Total cost for the mod is $15.73 and takes about and hour to do.
Also you can add more LEDs if it is still not bright enough for you.
1. open the Energizer LED by removing the 4 screws.
2. Cut the two Red and one black wires leaving them as long as possible from the mine ciruit board.
3. Carefully remove the circuit board with the LEDs, wires and Resistors. It may be necessary to pry off the white housing.
4. Remove the two resistors and replace them with a short piece of wire.
5. Remove the two screws in the Mad cats Frame. Lift off the Top Frame.
6. Remove the two plastic lens
7. Pry off the mini board in the Mad cats. It is held on by a small plastic post. Just cut the post off
8. Align the Leds to see where the are centered on the opening. The opening is just wider than the LED spacing so you need to cut the plastic about 1/8 inch on either opening. Cut it right on the inside angle where the filters were.
9. If you are careful in cutting and don’t cut to much the LED and mini board will fit snug in the place where the original MadCats board was. The LEDs will protrude a small amount.
10. Check the polarity of the connections Power up the system and determine which Mad Cats wire is positive and negative. Temporrilly connect one wire to the Black lead and the other to the two red leads. If the system does not light reverse the wires.
11. Once you have the polarity checked. Turn off the power and solder the wires together. Cover them with electrical tape.
12. Tuck in the wires and screw back in the frame.
That’s it . Connect to GBA and you are good to go. You wll need to align the LEDs in the center of the screen for best results. About 1/3 in from the edge.
The light works great in low light and no light conditions. However outdoors and in bright light that is in front of you the screen is still difficult ot see. If anyone tries this and have additional improvements please let me know.
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