Easy A Backlight
Written by eipromb on April 22, 2008 – 1:32 pm -This is an alternate method of adding a backlight to the A button on the Nintendo wiimote, its extremely simple to perform however you’re only limited to 1 colour for your LED unlike the multi-coloured A backlight mod. This would be good for those only looking to mod their wiimotes with a single colour, all red for example. In this guide, I’ve already performed the player indicator mod, so I’ll be adding a white backlight to the A button to not compete with the other colours.
What you’ll need:
A Nintendo Wiimote
A Triwing Screwdriver
a 3mm LED in your choice of colour
Needle Nose Pliers
Wire Strippers
Soldering Iron and Solder
Electrical Tape
This mod is very simple to perform, it should take less than an hour for even the most beginner modders. Along with the other two mods, I’ve also made available some parts kits to get you what you need all at once, visit the kits page to get yours! A note to mention before you proceed with the mod; normally a current limiting resistor would be used to prevent the LED from receiving too much power, however with the limited space one isn’t used with this mod. This shouldn’t be too much of a problem since most led flashlight keychains don’t use one either, however because there isn’t a limiting resistor, you may find yourself running out of batteries faster than normal.
Compatibility Check:
It has come to my attention from members on our forums that certain revisions of the wiimote are not compatible with this mod. From what it seems, early versions of the wiimote, mostly ones that were shipped with the Wii console itself are not compatible. Wiimotes bought separately or with WiiPlay are, to determine whether yours is compatible look at the image below. Look for the “TP01″ marking visible on the wiimote PCB in the battery compartment.
Step 1:
The mod will center around two test points located on the bottom side of the wiimote. These two points provide power (3.2v) when the wiimote is powered up.
Step 2:
You’ll need to use your pliers to bend and cut the leads of the LED as shown, test place the LED on the wiimote’s PCB to determine where to make the bends.
Step 3:
Once the leads are bent, as shown above, all you need to do it solder it on to the test points. Make sure the leads of the LED don’t accidentaly touch other copper areas of the PCB that may cause a short.
Step 4:
You’ll also need to use the pliers to snap off a portion of the casing as shown, the easiest way is to grab firmly with your pliers and rock back and forth. Once done try position the LED so that it points toward the A button’s rubber membrane.
Step 5:
As a final tweaking step add black electrical tape to the casing so you don’t get bleeding of the light from the LED. 3mm LEDs are much brighter than surface mount ones so you’ll see it bleed through the housing if you don’t.
Step 6:
You can see from the picture even with electrical tape the light does still bleed through in the dark, however during daylight it isn’t noticable at all.
Tags: backlight, mod, wiimote
Posted in Mods |
April 29th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
very cool!!
April 30th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
the mod worked but the pointer on the home screen doesn’t show up..what do i do????
May 1st, 2008 at 8:34 am
Double check your solder joints, this usually happens when there is a short.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Mine doesn’t have the TP01 and doesn’t look like the other on both the one with the wii and my wiimote bought separately. Does this mean it’s impossible for all or just this mod???
P.S. Where are the Classic Controller mods?
May 12th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Where is the forum? Bring back the forum please.
May 25th, 2008 at 2:31 am
Can you use a 5mm LED instead of a 3mm?
May 28th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Instead of it saying TP01 mine says TP711 and its angled. Is this still moddable?
I need an answer ASAP TY =)
June 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Just did this mod with a Green 3mm LED. Double checked the solder and then reassembled. Turned on the the Wii and the controller, and the LED doesn’t go on. Controller works fine, but no glowing A button. WTF.
June 15th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Credit to eipromb…
I used this tutorial to make an off-shoot of my own Easy A Button mod.
Using an LED Controller Chip from a casino martini glass and a few other tweaks you can choose what color your want your A Button to be!! (Red, Blue, Green, Violot/Pink, or Fade-All)
Check it out here:
http://www.lantacular.com/?page_id=18
June 15th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
My wiimote says TF01 near the battery compartment, does that mean it’s compatible?
July 21st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Looks cool,am waiting for LED.i am also going to add a black shell.red LED ofcourse i am going to post a vid of it on youtube when finished.great tut.lots of detail and easy to understand.
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
okkk im must be verry simple right i did all the stuff ya said but could not get it to light up? plz help the remote still works so im still ok at the mo
September 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
I am convinced the new iteration of the wii remote is compatible. But I lack equipment and knowledge to test and make it work. where would I find information if modding IS possible?
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
does the wiimote have to say TP01, because neither of mine do, but one says R11 and the other says TP711
October 12th, 2008 at 11:34 am
im so sad because i dont have the right wiimote, and i opened up mine, and they dont even have the same leads
January 7th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I dont have the ‘TP01′ marking on my remote but this mod worked no problem.
January 20th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
What if your wii remote says TF01 instead of TP01…. Will it still work???
May 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
wich contact is + and -
July 15th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
At Step 3, is it possible to electrical tape the two leads to the (+) and (-) spots?
March 18th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This would be good for those only looking to mod their wiimotes with a single colour, all […….
Мне кажется, вы ошибаетесь…
April 11th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Я думаю, что Вы не правы. Предлагаю это обсудить. Пишите мне в PM, пообщаемся….
Комплектовщик This would be good for those only looking to mod their wiimotes with a single colour, all […….
May 3rd, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Я ща умру от смеха…
кладовщик,контролёр This would be good for those only looking to mod their wiimotes with a single colour, all […….