Alternate Wiring Method
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There are a few alternate methods of converting your gamepad
for use on a Personal Computer. The best method, of course, is to use a
Super Nintendo extension cord, but since you are here, we will have to use a
different approach.
Method 1
Sacrifice your old gamepad! I hate to to suggest
wasting a perfectly good gamepad just so it can be used on your PC, you may
still want to drag out the old SNES system on occasion. If you
decide to use this method, then all you need to do is cut to off the connector
end of the gamepad and prepare it the same way as the extension cord method as described
on the main page.
NOTE: Make sure you have the correct wires
marked (1 thru 7). Use a continuity tester to do this.
You don't have to completely sacrifice the gamepad. You
can splice the adapter into the existing gamepad cord using extra wires. Then you
will end up with a game pad that can be used for both SNES console and PC.
� 
� Splice Method
Method 2
If you don't want to cut your gamepad cord, then you can
use an old male connector from a broken SNES Console. This is going to require some
disassembling. You will need to take the console apart and remove the
gamepad connectors. Sawing, cutting, grinding and de-soldering may be needed
to do this. Another source of connectors is the multiplayer adapter module. You
can get four male connectors from one of these.
You will need to be inventive to make this work. Small Generic
cases can be bought at Radio Shack. Mount the male SNES connector into the case, then
run a short 5-wire cable from the case to the 25 pin hood. Make wiring
connection based on the diagram on the main page.
If you don't want to get a generic case, you can
carefully cut and sculpt the SNES connector to fit into the 25 pin hood. Some
expoy will make the connector stay in place.
An old multi-adapter |
SNES mounted
in hood |
Method 3
This is a last resort, if you don't want to
cut your gamepad cord. If you take apart the gamepad,
you will see something inside that the cable plugs into.
This is a special terminal that is hard to find. They can be salvaged
from broken gamepads. Recycle the salvaged teminal-plug and make your
adapter with a 5-wire cord or the old cord from the broken gamepad.
Terminal inside
gamepad
Method 4
One last method, and I never tried it yet. If you are desperate and
cannot find any connectors, then you can make one out of a blank piece of
circuit board, Copper on both sides. You'll have to drill holes into the board that match the SNES
plug. Then acid-etch the board
so that you have a copper ring exposed around each hole on both sides of the board. Next, get
small nails and push them through the holes on the circuit board (See Radio Shack dealer for acid and supplies). Make sure that the holes are tight!
Also test the nails to make sure they fit snug into the connector at the end of your
SNES gamepad. Solder the nails in the holes on both sides of the board. Trim the board so that it will
fit nicely in the 25 pin hood. You may have to cut the hood and expoy the board in place.
Wire connections can be soldered to the nail heads.
NOTE: Be careful using acid. It is a good idea to practice making circuit
boards if you never made one before. Radio shack sells an excellent book on
making circuit boards.
