darkSpyro

Is it possible to go anything but wireless? The portal of power is a battery sucking whore. We don't even play it that much, and are already on our third set of batteries since Christmas.

If I can't wire it somehow, I guess I'll have to look into rechargeable batteries for that bee-otch.

I have lost count as to how many sets of batteries my kids have gone through with our Wii portal. I have studied it and I am sure I could fashion something from a universal AC/DC adapter from radio snack. I just would then be plugged into the wall as opposed to the Wii. I have given serious thought about picking up the 3ds version and getting a longer USB cable for it.

We actually have the 3DS version, which is one reason I asked about wiring it to the Wii. Do you know if the 3DS portal of power is compatible with the Wii? I could absolutely find a longer USB cable to connect it if that were the case.

It should work without issue. Its not like it will fry it either.

Does the 3DS version work with Wii?

Is it only the Wii version that sucks batteries? Im on my second set now, bought rechargeable when the first set died just so it'd save me money. If 3DS version works on Wii, then i'll happily connect my 3DS portal to the Wii!

But only 1 skylander at a time unfortunately.

Yes, the 3DS portal works with the Wii but it doesn't always save when the save icon appears on the screen and if you swap characters too fast and often.

I use the Wii Portal on rechargeable batteries. It will only work with a minimum strength of 1800 batteries last a few days, anything lower and it will refuse to power on. Hope that helps

Quote: Buzzthebatgirl

I use the Wii Portal on rechargeable batteries. It will only work with a minimum strength of 1800 batteries last a few days, anything lower and it will refuse to power on. Hope that helps

Yea, I have noticed that the portal wont stay on even though there is still plenty of charge left in the batteries. I have 6 batteries next to me that wont power the portal but will give plenty of power to the controllers. WTF is up with that Activision?

I was having this problem with the ps3 so I made a mod to it so I can plugin in to a wall or use batteries here is the link to the topic //forum.darkspyro.net/spyro/viewposts.php?topic=45566

I'm sure they'll be coming out wit ha specially fitted battery pack also for the portal of power. They have one for the Wii balance board so i cant see why they wouldnt have one for this!

Also, if you use the 3DS version, aren't you still running it on batteries, or does it use a charge from the Wii? Like, if you take the batteries out of the 3DS portal will it work plugged in?

^ Yes the cord can plug into the Wii's USB port but it has some issues save game data on the figures sometimes.

Quote: OpalOsprey

^ Yes the cord can plug into the Wii's USB port but it has some issues save game data on the figures sometimes.

No no, I know it plugs in but does it use the portals batteries or the wiis power supply?

^ It uses the Wii's power supply like when you plug it into the PC for the online game.

Quote: OpalOsprey

^ It uses the Wii's power supply like when you plug it into the PC for the online game.

Ok are we sure about this? Because when you plug it into the PC it could still be using the batteries. I guess when i play later ill take out the batteries and try it >.<

So much more convenient...cant believe the console versions didnt come with a tether option. I guess most people dont sit right next to their console, but meh ill get up every once and a while if it saves me on constantly dead batteries.

I have the xbox version of the game and portal and mine is a cable o.o no batteries needed

Quote: dragonmk

I have the xbox version of the game and portal and mine is a cable o.o no batteries needed

REALLY? That's really interesting! I had no idea. I figured all the consoles were battery.

I use rechargeables as well, and while one set is in the portal, the other set is recharging. When the portal's batteries die I swap them out. Easy peasy.

Quote: ialexonline

Ok are we sure about this? Because when you plug it into the PC it could still be using the batteries.

I've only ever used my 3ds portal with my pc as I don't have a 3ds, no batteries are required, haven't tried it with the ps3 though.

Wow, I'm only on my second set of batteries since October... what kind of batteries are you using? I use Duracell...

Quote: echsodie

Quote: ialexonline

Ok are we sure about this? Because when you plug it into the PC it could still be using the batteries.

I've only ever used my 3ds portal with my pc as I don't have a 3ds, no batteries are required, haven't tried it with the ps3 though.

NICE! This is super great to know.

I'm on my third right now since Christmas. I haven't been playing much because I need new Skylanders and Adv. Packs.

For those who are unaware, USB connections not only carry data, they also carry power. Tecnically the Wii would power the portal and the AC/DC adapter would power the Wii.

Quote: Monsinour

For those who are unaware, USB connections not only carry data, they also carry power. Tecnically the Wii would power the portal and the AC/DC adapter would power the Wii.

good theory, but I often rewire things (when i get bored) and im not sure if it would work. You might need at least 1 due to the energy output from the wii.

Quote: greenlantern511

Quote: Monsinour

For those who are unaware, USB connections not only carry data, they also carry power. Tecnically the Wii would power the portal and the AC/DC adapter would power the Wii.

good theory, but I often rewire things (when i get bored) and im not sure if it would work. You might need at least 1 due to the energy output from the wii.

Its not a theory. USB cables carry power. If I am not mistaken, they carry 5 volts DC pending on the source. Since 3 AA batteries gives you 4.5 volts, there is no reason why this wouldnt work.

oh. forgot about the voltage. should have looked it up.

Ya know, for all the *****ing and moaning I do about the lack of production of figures, Activision does some things right. If your portal is like mine, follow this link and then the following link as well.

http://www.facebook.com/Activi..._t=feed_comment

Man. I'm glad I have the PC version... No batteries! :3

Quote: Monsinour

Ya know, for all the *****ing and moaning I do about the lack of production of figures, Activision does some things right. If your portal is like mine, follow this link and then the following link as well.

http://www.facebook.com/Activi..._t=feed_comment

Mine never runs out. not once. since christmas.

You can use the 3DS portal with the Wii - I did this to test it before I resold it. When I tested it I had no batteries in the 3DS portal and connected it to the Wii with USB cable.

Some devices require more power than USB can provide and use external power source such as AC adaptor or batteries. I have not tested the Wii portal using USB and no batteries but there is no reason to believe that it would need that much power.

I still say the Wii portal is excellent, we are stil on the second set of batteries and the thing gets hammered with use. I nearly finsihed the campaign (including much re-doing of levels to get 3 stars and doing Pirate Seas level) on the first set of batt's. I will miss wireless when I go XBox version sooner or later...

Warning: USB extension cable reduce comms reliability significantly! Get a high quality cable and keep it as short as possible. I once connected my PC to an external storage device via a 10m (approx. 30") cable and it was unusable. Even shorter cables (5m and the like) were exceptionally error prone.

Quote: greenlantern511

Quote: Monsinour

Ya know, for all the *****ing and moaning I do about the lack of production of figures, Activision does some things right. If your portal is like mine, follow this link and then the following link as well.

http://www.facebook.com/Activi..._t=feed_comment

Mine never runs out. not once. since christmas.

Mine has ran out like 4 or 5 times.

We started in early November and I have only changed them twice and use duracell. The batteries that came with it lasted the shortest amount of time.

I think the 3DS batteries are there for the infrared capability.

Quote: Toleroh

We started in early November and I have only changed them twice and use duracell. The batteries that came with it lasted the shortest amount of time.

I think the 3DS batteries are there for the infrared capability.

I'm still using the ones that came with it! My portal likes me!

Guys, here are a couple pictures of my portal that I wire up to do away with useing batteries. I just opened it up an soldered it directly to the board. I used a little reamer to make a hole in the back give it a nice factory look

Quote: lockmouth

Guys, here are a couple pictures of my portal that I wire up to do away with useing batteries. I just opened it up an soldered it directly to the board. I used a little reamer to make a hole in the back give it a nice factory look

pic

pic

Did you check the output on your adapter to ensure that it puts out the proper amps and volts for your portal? If so, what ac/dc adapter is that and where might the rest of us get one? Care to show your solder work?

Don't know about wii portal but if it's 4.5V DC I assume, just find an old adapter (or adjustable one) that puts out 4.5~5 DC. I'm guessing the portal runs best at 5V based on USB voltage explains why new batteries near full fail so often. Not defective portal but since three 1.5V AA batteries can only supply 4.5 fresh, a little play drops voltage too low for portal to work properly. Using old adapter cut off connector and wire directly to battery terminals. Check polarity with multimeter first tho. I think any old adapter with at least 1amp should be able to power portal. If I recall psp adapter outputs 5V but prob cheaper to buy $5 adapter online.

Quote: Monsinour

Quote: lockmouth

Guys, here are a couple pictures of my portal that I wire up to do away with useing batteries. I just opened it up an soldered it directly to the board. I used a little reamer to make a hole in the back give it a nice factory look

pic

pic

Did you check the output on your adapter to ensure that it puts out the proper amps and volts for your portal? If so, what ac/dc adapter is that and where might the rest of us get one? Care to show your solder work?

I used a old Samsung cellphone charger I had. It puts out 5v / 0.7A (700mah), I have been useing it since yesterday without any problems.

Quote: lockmouth

I used a old Samsung cellphone charger I had. It puts out 5v / 0.7A (700mah), I have been useing it since yesterday without any problems.

pic

pic

pic

Excellent, that was the info I needed. Thanks bunches! I know I have like 3 or 4 cell phone adapters. I will search through to find one similar to yours. I presume that you had to remove the wires for the batteries on the board before you attached the adapter wires, correct?

Quote: Monsinour

Quote: lockmouth

I used a old Samsung cellphone charger I had. It puts out 5v / 0.7A (700mah), I have been useing it since yesterday without any problems.

pic

pic

pic

Excellent, that was the info I needed. Thanks bunches! I know I have like 3 or 4 cell phone adapters. I will search through to find one similar to yours. I presume that you had to remove the wires for the batteries on the board before you attached the adapter wires, correct?

No, the wires for the battery tray are wired from the bottom of the board. I just solder on the top, so I can still use batteries if I need too.

lockmouth That's pretty nice but i like mine better lol
I didn't wire my power directly to the board. I took the the adapter out of something i wasn't using. So I can unplug the power cord from the side of my portal and still use batteries if need be. If any one would like to see here's the pics http://imgur.com/uFOAo&e2Z2m&6n3wm&715Tw i know some aren't that nice but gives you an idea of what i did

right then,,, I bought the 3ds portal for my wii a few days ago,,, and you know how it is,,, I came home and the first thing I did was take them both apart with a screw driver,,,,, as you do! I wondered,,,, is it possible to just swap the internal from the 3ds into the wii portal, so you get a large wired portal. The only major thing I can see is that the copper ring of wire on the ds version is obviouslly alot smaller,,, so would the internals cope with the larger wii copper ring??