Wii Player LED Mod: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide explains how to perform a Wii player LED mod on your controller. This modification lets you change the color of the blue player indicator lights. We will cover the tools you need, how to open the WiiMote, and how to swap the tiny SMD LEDs for custom colors.
Required Tools for Your Wii Player LED Mod
Before you begin your **Wii player LED mod**, you will need a few specific tools:
- A Tri-Wing Screwdriver
- One small flat-head screwdriver or a thin plastic wedge
- A soldering iron and solder
- Tweezers for handling small parts
Step 1: Opening the WiiMote Controller
First, you must open the WiiMote. This is a very simple task. Look at the controller from the backside and observe the screws. You need to use a Tri-Wing Screwdriver to remove all of the visible screws. Luckily, there are no hidden ones that you should be worried about.
Once the screws are removed, simply place the controller with the buttons facing down. Then, remove the bottom part of the shell. We do it this way so the buttons don't fall everywhere. It may take a little prying to get the two halves apart. If yours is reluctant to come apart, there are a couple of tabs toward the top of the remote. In that case, just take a thin flat-head screwdriver and try to press one or both of the tabs in while applying pressure to separate the two halves. Just be patient and you will have it off in no time. If the tabs do end up breaking, do not worry. They are pretty much pointless, and the screws hold it all together just fine.
Step 2: Removing the Original LEDs
Next, you need to remove the existing surface mount devices (SMDs) from the board. We are going to use a method that we like to call 'floating' the SMD off. This involves putting a good amount of solder on the tip of your iron. Then, you drag it across the edge of the SMD where the two solder points are. Your goal is to melt both connections at the same time; otherwise, the SMD will not 'float off' cleanly. Do not apply excessive pressure to the SMD with the iron. A tiny bit is acceptable, but not a lot, otherwise you risk tearing up a solder pad. Sometimes, adding a little bit of solder to each end of the SMD before trying to 'float' it off can help a lot. After you remove all four lights, make sure the soldering pads are clear of excessive solder. You don't want mounds of solder on the pad, as you will have trouble soldering the new LEDs on flat.
Step 3: Installing New LEDs for the Wii Player LED Mod
After you remove all the original lights, you must then put on the new ones.
Checking Polarity for Your Wii Player LED Mod
First, get out your new SMDs. You should remove only one at a time, otherwise you will most likely lose one. When you have one removed, pick it up with the tweezers and look to see which side is positive. Knowing the correct orientation is crucial for a successful mod.
Soldering the New SMDs
Now that you know the orientation of the SMD, position it for installation. It should be lying flat with the lens facing directly up. We are going to solder the positive side first. Therefore, add a little solder to the positive (+) pad that you are going to solder to first. Next, grab the negative side of the SMD with tweezers and hold the positive side of the SMD just above the correct pad. Once you have it in the position you want, hold it tightly. Then, melt the solder that you just added to the pad and put the SMD into the solder so it sticks. You should then remove the soldering iron and let the solder cool down and harden. Finally, you can remove the tweezers. It is important to remember that you should not apply heat to the board or the SMDs for very long, as you could cause damage. You should only apply heat for a couple of seconds at a time at the most. Repeat this process for all of the lights and you are done!
Conclusion
In conclusion, completing a **Wii player LED mod** is a great project to customize your controller. After you have reassembled your WiiMote, you can test it and enjoy the new look. (Credit for images goes to TechRepublic).