NES Controller Lengthening Guide 1.00 By Andrew M. Evans aka AndrewM (AndrewM@NESHQ.com) Version 1.00 Released July 3, 2003 Looking for anything NES? Visit my hopefully-but-probably-not comprehensive NES Site at www.neshq.com! --== Table of Contents ==-- Section 1 ----- Revision History Section 2 ----- Disclaimer and Requisite Legal Junk for any FAQ Section 3 ----- Introduction Section 4 ----- Materials Section 5 ----- Stripping and Cutting the Wires Section 6 ----- Connecting New Wires Section 7 ----- Securing & Protecting Exposed Wires Section 8 ----- Credits and Closing Remarks --== Section 1 - Revision History ==-- 07/03/2003 v1.00 Original FAQ --== Section 2 - Disclaimer and Requisite Legal Junk ==-- This FAQ is intended for private use and may not be reproduced on any sites or in any publications without my prior consent, which I may or may not (I don't see why I wouldn't) grant by having you e-mail me at AndrewM@Neshq.com. If you should fail to do so and I see my FAQ posted somewhere I shall be forced to sue you into litigation Hell with my army of high-powered lawyers. Actually, this whole bit is a bunch of ballyhoo. If you want to post or reproduce this FAQ go right ahead and do so, just leave me my credit and the shameless self-promotions for my NES Site, www.neshq.com (in case you have yet to see!). Oh yea, and if you somehow get hurt using this FAQ I am in no way responsible (is this even possible). As a matter of fact, by even opening this file you have officially absolved me of any responsibility in my entire life. Ok, well it was worth a shot...... --== Section 3 - Introduction ==-- Ever feel like NES Controllers are too short? I sure don't but I'm writing this FAQ anyways. If you have an urge to lengthen your NES controllers this FAQ should be able to help you through the process. --== Section 4 - Materials ==-- NES Controller Wire Cutter/Stripper (preferably AWG, or American Wire Gauge, since that's what I am basing this FAQ on) Wire of just about any type Electrical tape Soldering gun (Optional, highly recommended) Solder (Optional, highly recommended) Liquid Rubber (Recommended) --== Section 5 - Stripping and Cutting Wires ==-- First off you will need to cut the controller cord. I recommend cutting the cord near the plug, since this is the area where the cut and splice will be least noticeable. Once the cord is cut you will need to strip the outer (black) wire on both sides of the cut, since this is where you will be splicing the new wire in. I found that using a 10 AWG worked just about perfectly for stripping the outer part of the cord. When this is stripped you will see several smaller wires. Each of these wires now needs to be stripped. When this is finished you should have the plug end cord with a short amount of wire left and the controller end with a much longer cord attached, and both should be stripped to about two inches, exposing all the wires. Now it's time to prepare the splicing wires. You will need to make all the wires equal length (approximately how much you would like to lengthen your controllers by), and strip both ends of every wire to a length of approximately two inches. --== Section 6 - Connecting New Wires ==-- Now that all the wires are stripped and the splicing wires are all uniform length you are ready to splice in the new wires to make the controllers longer. I highly recommend you use a soldering gun for greater stability, although I have tested it without using a soldering gun and the controller still works. Go ahead and get the soldering gun warmed up. Attach one of the splicing wires to one of the loose controller wires. Twist the wires together and make sure that they are tight (if they can withstand a slight tug then the wires are tight). Now attach the other end of the splicing wire to the corresponding [same color] wire on the plug cord in the same fashion. When both ends are secure use the soldering gun to solder two wires together on both the controller and plug ends. You don't need to use an excessive amount, but make sure it's enough to hold the wires firmly in place. Repeat this process for each of the wires until every wire on the controller end is attached, via splicing wire, to its corresponding [same color] wire on the plug end of the cord. --== Section 7 - Securing & Protecting New Wires ==-- With all the wires soldered it is now time to secure and protect the bare wires. Begin by taking the connection area (the two inches where the wires meet, are twisted, and soldered), bending it back, and taping it back on top of the controller cord so that there are two inches where the controller cord is double thick from. Thoroughly (but not excessively) wrap electrical tape around this area so that no bare wire (should be solder at this point) is showing. Repeat this process for both connection areas of all the wires. Tape all of the splicing wires together using the electrical tape so that the independent splicing wires make one wire. Now, last but not least, dip the connection area (and the splicing wire, should you desire) in the liquid rubber so that there is a protective coating outside of the electrical tape. After doing this once or twice the new (or splicing wire) cord should look mostly like the original cord, although perhaps a little more thick. Congratulations, you have successfully lengthened your NES controller. --== Section 8 - Credits and Closing Remarks ==-- Although the connecting, securing, and protecting wires process may seem a bit tedious I can assure you that this is the best way to do this. I have tried this without soldering the wires and they do not connect as well, resulting in some lost controller instructions. I recommend the electrical tape because it puts less stress on the soldering (which shouldn't be too thick anyways) when the controller cords are tugged or pulled. Finally, the liquid rubber adds a little strength but is mostly for aesthetics, as it will create a uniform surface and color along the cord. I must cite www.popularmechanics.com for some information on wire stripping as well as http://www.epemag.wimborne.co.uk/solderfaq.htm which I used to brush up on soldering. Once more, before this FAQ is over I would like to shamelessly promote my NES Site, www.neshq.com. Oh, and if you have any questions or contributions feel free to e-mail me at AndrewM@NESHQ.com.