Custom GameCube to USB Cable

Custom GameCube to USB Cable

This is a blog entry that will describe how to create your own USB-C to Gamecube cables, compatible with Handheld Legend's ProGCC kit, GCU controller, JunkFoodArcade, Frame1 and B0XX controllers.

Equipment

  • 28 AWG 5 Core Wire w/ Gamecube Port
    • Alternatively, use old Nintendo Gamecube cables.
    • Third party cables and extensions are also usable, but they have dubious quality.

  • 12 Pin USB-C Male Header with Port and Housing

  • Hot glue or electrical tape.

  • metal ferrule (3/16" OD, 1/4" Length),

  • heat shrink tubing

Pinouts

Gamecube End

Use a multimeter to test for continuity between the points on the Gamecube port and the wires attached to it. There should be no more than 5 wires, and the grounds might be connected together (but more often should be separate to associate different voltage rails).

Looking into Gamecube Port end for pints

USB-C

Most USB-C headers have 6 pads exposed on one side, and the power and Ground pads are exposed on the other side.

USB-C Header pinout

The Gamecube port's Data pin goes to B11. The Gamecube port's 3.3v pin goes to A2.

Cable Steps

1.

Slide the USB-C housing on to the cable.

Slide housing onto cable, and strip cable and wires.

2.

Strip back the cable on the USB-C end.

  • Minimum stripped length is 10mm.

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3.

Strip each individual wire on the cable.

  • Common ground or other redundant wires can be twisted together.

Strip wires in cable.

4.

Tin the stripped wire ends and the necessary pads on the USB-C port.

Tin wires and pads.

5.

Solder the wires to the port.

  • Be careful not to bridge any of the pads together.

Solder pints to connector.

6.

Slide the front piece of the USB-C housing over the front of the connector, then fill the back of the USB-C port with hot glue to secure connections.

  • Alternatively, use electrical tape.

Slide the housing over the front of the connector.

7.

Slide the other part of the housing along the cable up to the back of the USB-C port, to meet with the front part.

Slide the other housing part along the cable to the back of the connector.

8.

Secure the housing to the cable with a metal ferrule.

Metal ferrule mounts the housing to the cable.

9.

Add heat shrink over the connector.

  • Instead of a heat gun, use a hair dryer or a lighter to shrink the tubing.

Add heat shrink over connector.

Reference