View Full Version : Xbox 360 Controller Modification
DVSSXerohour
16-11-2007, 19:54
Hi Guys, I know this isn’t TDU related but I just wanted to show off some of my handy work.
We all know what the xbox 360 looks like with it dull and unimpressive 4 green light quadrant... but what if there was a way to change this? Would you be interested?
Well, there is... Now a bit of background. I’ve been an European Space Agency trained electronic technician for about 7 years and have dabbled with modding electronics for a while but with the 12-month anniversary of my xbox controller it was time for those green lights to go!
This was a relatively easy project that unfortunately requires some advance soldering skills as the components involved are incredibly small 0.6mm x 0.3mm surface mount LEDs. So here we go...
Controller is easy to take apart... 7 Torx 8 BO and the thing falls apart...
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/njk56/DSC00283.jpg
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/njk56/DSC00281.jpg
The LEDs are removed using a special soldering iron tweezer set, and the new ones are resoldered using a precision soldering iron. And the tested in situe.
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/njk56/DSC00278.jpg
Then finally reassembled...
http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n292/njk56/DSC00307.jpg
So, what do you think...?
Thanks for reading.
What have you done to it!!
I like the blue lights, but they don't go with the 360-green theme- nice work though!
Cool, its a good thing you didn't choose red ones! :p
Wait, don't they have to go red when it's broke?
Do your new ones!?
I would have done pink lol!!
DVSSXerohour
16-11-2007, 20:02
What have you done to it!!
I like the blue lights, but they don't go with the 360-green theme- nice work though!
:rolleyes:
I actually prefer it... you cant see my xbox where it sits anyway and the blue looks far nicer than dull unattractive green ones...
The controller doesnt show faults... but a red ring of death on the controller would be to unbarable!
Thanks for the comments!
randomus_r
16-11-2007, 20:15
Well I think it looks a lot better, well done. Very good work :respect: :)
Nice!
If only i could use a soldering iron!
weirdblue
crappucino
16-11-2007, 20:37
Excellent stuff, those SMD LEDs are an absolute nightmare. Removing them is one thing but having mounted them I commend your soldering skills.
I think the only other option would have been the yellow ones which is a bit boring.
very nice.
i would of used a different color for each one. you should try and sell it on ebay. if you make alot start doing it to a few
i broke my tonight (throwing it in anger) and im down to one conrtoller left
DVSSXerohour
17-11-2007, 00:11
Thanks for all the positive comments everyone!
crappucino: luckly working at the Labs at Daresbury, i have some of the best soldering and in this case desoldering equipment avalible at my disposal! To be honest mounting is easy but removing them was a pain, it would appear microsoft were fully RoHS compliant well over a year ago!
Cheddar: "you should try and sell it on ebay. if you make alot start doing it to a few" I may just do that, thanks for the idea!
shave_13
17-11-2007, 00:37
nice work, I'm not keen on the white and black, maybe try an elite controller, and you could make a mint off ebay with them. now if only i was as good with a soldering iron lightbulb
crappucino
17-11-2007, 02:30
Thanks for all the positive comments everyone!
crappucino: luckly working at the Labs at Daresbury, i have some of the best soldering and in this case desoldering equipment avalible at my disposal! To be honest mounting is easy but removing them was a pain, it would appear microsoft were fully RoHS compliant well over a year ago!
Cheddar: "you should try and sell it on ebay. if you make alot start doing it to a few" I may just do that, thanks for the idea!
Yeah if you have a top notch soldering station that makes all the difference. Had to do some emergency work on some satcom kit a few years ago; replacing a couple of SMDs, just heated flicked em off with a precision screwdriver (probably not the best idea as it could have taken the trackwork off) but mounting them again in not the best conditions with not the best soldering kit was a bit fiddly to say the least ;)
DVSSXerohour
17-11-2007, 13:25
nice work, I'm not keen on the white and black, maybe try an elite controller, and you could make a mint off ebay with them. now if only i was as good with a soldering iron lightbulb
Again, i wonder if there is a market for them?
crappucino: Im Impressed, hey that flick is as good as anything, as long as the solder has flowed. But in my case i was lucky to have the tweezers, you just pick them up like they wernt even soldered! The iron i use is a rather expensive JBC affair with intelligent power management... If the track and land are small it lowers the power, where as if you stick it on a ground plane it ramps use the power to compensate.. its also goes from cold to funtional temp in less the 3 seconds!
depending on how much time and how much you spend on the leds will tell you if its worth while selling them. you could always sell this one on ebay and see how much it makes. if it makes enough to get another controller try it again. if there is a demand start taking custom orders and charging more. if you list it on ebay make sure its ending on sunday evening otherwise you wont get as much.
TenaciousDSte
17-11-2007, 15:34
very nice.
i would of used a different color for each one. you should try and sell it on ebay. if you make alot start doing it to a few
i broke my tonight (throwing it in anger) and im down to one conrtoller left
LOL, same here, my wired controller was the unlucky one recently, got mad with a game and made it a wire-less pad! Its funny how after the heat of the moment you go quiet then think, oh fudge why did i do that!!! why! lolblue:
OneGoodKnock
17-11-2007, 17:17
LOL, same here, my wired controller was the unlucky one recently, got mad with a game and made it a wire-less pad! Its funny how after the heat of the moment you go quiet then think, oh fudge why did i do that!!! why! lolblue:
LOL!! I smashed a wireless pad a while back. I threw it at the wall not once not twice but at least half a dozen times!! Tough cookies they are.
Then I thought that was silly!! No controller now!! Doh!!
TenaciousDSte
17-11-2007, 17:32
Wireless pads make pretty good frizbies, they are pretty tough little things.
I'm on my second wireless pad coz one night i got sooo sick of losing
on a game that i reached for my Katana sword and well u can guess
what happened... i had a kill bill moment.
<< Hmmm note to self: Attend anger therapy! >> rolleyesa
tommygunman
17-11-2007, 17:37
Wireless pads make pretty good frizbies, they are pretty tough little things.
I'm on my second wireless pad coz one night i got sooo sick of losing
on a game that i reached for my Katana sword and well u can guess
what happened... i had a kill bill moment.
<< Hmmm note to self: Attend anger therapy! >> rolleyesa
lol!!!!!!! seriously just hope that ur katana is strong if you say there tough little things :wink2: :nuts:
There actually pretty cool.
I might have to do that with my elite controller and maybe even the console aswell.
Luckily i also have access to quality soldering tools so i think i may have to start getting the parts on monday.
If i do the console i will post a pic.
TenaciousDSte
17-11-2007, 18:37
lol!!!!!!! seriously just hope that ur katana is strong if you say there tough little things :wink2: :nuts:
If the Katana blade breaks i'll just have to break
out the Wakizashi or give it a jab with the Tanto ;)
khevolution
17-11-2007, 20:19
*note to self don't Removed the above user*
*note to self don't (naughty word)off the above user*
Just a bit of friendly advice.
You might want to edit your post before you get a ban. :nono:
BensonJutton
18-11-2007, 11:42
*note to self don't Removed the above user*
*note to khevolution do not swear on this forum* :nono:
Ha ha!
Too late
Benson is on the case!
If i hadnt of mentioned it would it have still been noticed :hin:
BensonJutton
18-11-2007, 11:46
but no ban tonguegre cos I'm feeling christmasy and it's his first offence :wink2:
BensonJutton
18-11-2007, 11:46
If i hadnt of mentioned it would it have still been noticed :hin:
yes cos I was doing my morning rounds :laugh: :laugh:
you should be banned for having that Avatar!
Christmas? Bah Humbug!
BensonJutton
18-11-2007, 11:50
you should be banned for having that Avatar!
Christmas? Bah Humbug!
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Ebenezer Scrooge aka RoadRash sorry Rat :laugh: :laugh: :wink2:
I thank you! (bows)
I am here all December tonguegre
Hey your keeper better do the job now on Wednesday! Otherwise there will be hell to pay! lolblue:
yes cos I was doing my morning rounds :laugh: :laugh:
That makes you sound like a milkman :laugh:
And as your feeling all christmasy and that can i have a diablo now mdr1
dj_faceplant
18-11-2007, 12:18
Give me an address to send my Pads to so I can have different coloured LEDs please.. Please?
Neeeeeed blue.
I think offering guys like faceplant the service would be how to make the money. Buying controllers to sell on would not be that profitable imo, espescially as there £30 each.
but if you gets guyd to send you their controllers and then then charge for the 'makeover' you should make a nice profit, depending how much the leds cost (i heard blue ones are quite pricey) and how long each one takes to 'build'...
machinepoloman
22-11-2007, 13:59
cooooooool the mods look awesome especially that rockstar 360 :)
jahoovenator
22-11-2007, 17:03
can u do the same with the lights on the console? i think the elite would look awesome with blue ones!
heres my photoshopped version of how it would look:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/Jahoovenator/360mod.jpg
can u do the same with the lights on the console? i think the elite would look awesome with blue ones!
heres my photoshopped version of how it would look:
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o112/Jahoovenator/360mod.jpg
Yes you can!
Ive already ordered the parts needed in the ice blue colour aswell.
DVSSXerohour
22-11-2007, 20:05
Give me an address to send my Pads to so I can have different coloured LEDs please.. Please?
Neeeeeed blue.
Could do them, but id have to set some conditions. Dead pad would be at your own risk im affaid, chance of it happening would be slim but i couldnt risk the cost of replacing pads.
can u do the same with the lights on the console? i think the elite would look awesome with blue ones!
It would be difficult, as the LEDs are obviously bi-colour.... im yet to see a bi-color blue-red LED, they may exist but ive not seen them and i work in the industry...The way llamma are doing it are doing away with the red indicator.
jamie_dodger_11
22-11-2007, 20:22
oo oo i can use soldering irons!!! but i burn myself to whatever im soldering quite often, so its not a good idea to give me one anymore lol.
o yeh and nice m8! it does make you feel a bit cold to look at, but oh well. lol it still looks better than green :)
machinepoloman
23-11-2007, 11:26
Could do them, but id have to set some conditions. Dead pad would be at your own risk im affaid, chance of it happening would be slim but i couldnt risk the cost of replacing pads.
It would be difficult, as the LEDs are obviously bi-colour.... im yet to see a bi-color blue-red LED, they may exist but ive not seen them and i work in the industry...The way llamma are doing it are doing away with the red indicator.
i think you would still know if you had 'the ring of death' because 3 blue lights will stay on
but then that surely would cost you about 200 quid because the warranty is a void isnt it?
crappucino
23-11-2007, 11:37
Could do them, but id have to set some conditions. Dead pad would be at your own risk im affaid, chance of it happening would be slim but i couldnt risk the cost of replacing pads.
It would be difficult, as the LEDs are obviously bi-colour.... im yet to see a bi-color blue-red LED, they may exist but ive not seen them and i work in the industry...The way llamma are doing it are doing away with the red indicator.
You can get the RGB and full spectrum ones but not in the correct package size I don't think.
Boltvolt
24-11-2007, 10:56
My Uncle does this all the time, Hes lit up his Contollers Blue, Xbox 360 Blue, The Big remote not the one you got with Premium he lit that up red Its way cool.
Hey Drew...put an order in for a Salmon one!
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