3DS XL Charging Cradle -old XL-

thingiverse

Human: I had an idea, and after searching online, I discovered that Nintendo already has a similar solution for the NEW 3DS XL, but it's not compatible with the original model. That wasn't helpful. To save space on my cluttered desk, I mounted the adapter vertically so that it takes up minimal space. I adjusted the position of the power plug to ensure that it doesn't come into contact with the USB Micro-B Breakout Board. This allows for easy charging, even if the adapter is positioned at the back of your desk. Using a USB Micro-B Breakout Board from Adafruit was the best option since I only have one official 3DS charger and no adapters. The abundance of cell phone chargers on hand made it easy to find an alternative. Some leftover M2 screws from a quadcopter build came in handy for securing the board to the top housing. Since the original 3DS charger outputs 4.6v at 900ma, any standard cell phone charger that provides 5v and 1a will suffice. I've been using this setup with a dedicated 3DS USB cable for years; however, due to its slightly higher output of 0.4v, use at your own risk is advised. The spring contacts required a little ingenuity: I retrieved a metal spring from a spring assortment purchased at Home Depot and straightened it out before bending it around the required shape. The power wires were connected to two brass washers also acquired from Home Depot. Two M3 screws lying around from old computer builds helped hold things in place. The bottom screws originated from an eyeglass repair kit, providing a sturdy base for the adapter. As a finishing touch, I thought about adding some small adhesive rubber feet available on Amazon for the underside to prevent scratching and slipping.