N64 Rumble Pak (Rumble WITHOUT batteries)

Introduction

With a simple modification to a single resistor already on the N64 Rumble Pak it can be made to rumble without batteries. This means more $ in your pocket and 0% chance of leaky acid on your components. I don’t take credit for this discovery but I am here to pass the knowledge on to you good people.

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Étape 1 Disassembly

N64 Rumble Pak (Rumble WITHOUT batteries), Disassembly: étape 1, image 1 de 1

Remove the 2 3.8mm gamebit screws
Disassemble the rumble pak and set the plastic housing aside.

Modifier

Étape 2 Desolder/Resolder OEM resistor

N64 Rumble Pak (Rumble WITHOUT batteries), Desolder/Resolder OEM resistor: étape 2, image 1 de 1

Desolder the resistor just above the battery location on the pcb
Mine has already been modified. Original placement is highlighted.
Resolder the same resistor to the following through hole locations and solder into place. Conveniently, the resistor leads are long enough to reach these points and not require any extra wires.
Initially I applied solder to 1 through hole and attempted to push the lead through it after reheating with my iron. This proved quite the complication as I couldn't fully remelt the solder to get the lead through. Fearing overheating the resistor I managed to solder the lead in place without going through the pcb. This still works but I advise not
applying solder first.

Modifier

Étape 3 Clean up/Reassembly

N64 Rumble Pak (Rumble WITHOUT batteries), Clean up/Reassembly: étape 3, image 1 de 2

N64 Rumble Pak (Rumble WITHOUT batteries), Clean up/Reassembly: étape 3, image 2 de 2

Clean up any flux you might have used and since the board is out you might as well give it a good clean with a electronic cleaner or high content isopropyl alcohol.
Reassemble the rumble pak and screw in the gamebit screws.
Having the battery compartment void of batteries causes you to hear the rattling of the battery terminals. I've invested in a set of 2 AAA dummy batteries to fill the compartment which will eliminate the sound by applying pressure to the once used battery springs. Anything can be used here really but I went for the exact fit in this case. The
rumble pak is relatively light without batteries and the dummy battery will help add some of it's original weight back.