GameCube Clock Question

[jefflomacy]

Hi all,

I am trying to understand something. I purchased a GameCube today on eBay. It will not arrive until sometime next week, but the main title I plan to play on it is Animal Crossing until New Horizons comes out. It has been a very long time since I've owned a GameCube so I'm excited to play this title again.

However, I am a little concerned about the clock battery in the GameCube. If you own a GameCube and still use it, can you tell me if you have had to replace the clock battery yet? Does the clock battery get used if the console is plugged into the wall? If the clock battery dies, will I be setting the clock every time I start the console until I get it replaced, or will this only be an issue if the power goes out?

I don't have amazing vision so I would have to pay someone to solder in a new battery which is why I am concerned. Any information is appreciated. An electronics repair shop quoted it at about an hour of labor which isn't super expensive, but more than I wanted it to cost.

 

[MasterM64]

Hey Jeff, as a GameCube collector personally, I can assure you that they have really good CMOS batteries! I have only had to replace a couple so far (mostly because the controller boards had actual cracks in them from previous owners), but I just took another controller board from broken Gamecubes that I bought for parts (since most of the parts are perfectly functional). I would love to learn how to mod the controller board though so I can make the CMOS replaceable without having to de-solder the old one and solder in a new one. I hope this answers your question!

 

[jefflomacy]

Yes it does, thank you. I think I will ask the repair shop to install a CR2032 holder if it eventually needs replacement while I own it so that I can do future replacements myself.

Since you're a collector, I might as well also ask, what do you use to output the GameCube to a modern TV? I would love to get lucky and wind up with a GameCube that has a digital output on the back, but I doubt that will be what I receive. I anticipate I will be converting composite to HDMI. I bought this adapter. Do you have other recommendations? https://www.amazon.com/GANA-Composi...s=rca+to+hdmi&qid=1560905884&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[MasterM64]

Yes it does, thank you. I think I will ask the repair shop to install a CR2032 holder if it eventually needs replacement while I own it so that I can do future replacements myself.

Since you're a collector, I might as well also ask, what do you use to output the GameCube to a modern TV? I would love to get lucky and wind up with a GameCube that has a digital output on the back, but I doubt that will be what I receive. I anticipate I will be converting composite to HDMI. I bought this adapter. Do you have other recommendations? https://www.amazon.com/GANA-Composi...s=rca+to+hdmi&qid=1560905884&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Glad to hear that! That definitely would be a wise move for sure, I plan on doing that as well to all 5 of my utilized systems (Gundam Char, Spice Orange, Platinum, Indigo, and Black)!

I personally use the Carby made by Insurrection Industries (like the one pictured below) as my HDMI solution for my GameCube since it has a metal plug and it also glows a nice red that goes really well with my Gundam Char GameCube! It also is a heck of a lot cheaper than the official component cables (I actually sold my set to finance the Carby purchase and to make additional money out of the deal) and it also is future-proof since all TVs made these days have HDMI ports.

I also attached pictures of my main set up and my GameCube LAN setup (that is also capable of Gameboy multiplayer)!

 

[jefflomacy]

Ahhhh, yeah, that's the one for model DOL-001 GC, which I doubt the one I purchased is. I will find out soon enough. Thanks for the info!

 

[MasterM64]

Ahhhh, yeah, that's the one for model DOL-001 GC, which I doubt the one I purchased is. I will find out soon enough. Thanks for the info!

Hopefully that will be the case for you and you are absolutely welcome! The probability of it being a 001 or not is based really on the color you bought. Typically, Indigo, Black, Spice Orange are 001 (along with many of the very rare limited editions), but it is most likely a 101 if you bought a Platinum one. A 001 Platinum GameCube is actually a limited edition and very obscure these days (especially in good condition).

 

[jefflomacy]

Actually, the MPN on the eBay listing is DOL-001. I hope it has the output, because I will definitely buy that adapter if it does. Thanks again for clarifying!

Edit: But yes, it is a platinum, so you are probably right.

 

[MasterM64]

Actually, the MPN on the eBay listing is DOL-001. I hope it has the output, because I will definitely buy that adapter if it does. Thanks again for clarifying!

Edit: But yes, it is a platinum, so you are probably right.

Excellent and you are absolutely welcome! Definitely get the Carby if you want a really affordable one that is actually well-engineered. The only one you should consider as well is the GCHD EON due to it having dual output, but I honestly think the Carby is the better product and deal overall.

 

[xSuperMario64x]

Side comment, but I had no clue that Gamecubes had clock batteries in them

Im sure it will work fine though, I've had two gamecubes and both were working perfectly.

 

[lars708]

I have two GameCubes and I never had to replace the batteries. I mean, the clock still works that's what I mean. Because I didn't know the system had a clock battery until now lol.

 

[jefflomacy]

Just an update. The GameCube arrived and it had the correct date, but the incorrect time. I set the time when it arrived around 5PM today and it has not drifted, so I guess I am all set.

The only disappointing thing is it is not a DOL-001 model as the MPN on the listing claimed.I don't blame the seller for not understanding this, as its a somewhat nontrivial topic. However I will be on the hunt for one with digital output, as the analog output upscaled to 720/1080p is definitely blurry. Completely functional and usable with no noticeable delay, though, through a $13 upscaler.

 

[MasterM64]

Side comment, but I had no clue that Gamecubes had clock batteries in them

Im sure it will work fine though, I've had two gamecubes and both were working perfectly.

I have two GameCubes and I never had to replace the batteries. I mean, the clock still works that's what I mean. Because I didn't know the system had a clock battery until now lol.

Technically speaking, all computers that retain a clock (laptop, desktop, etc.) have a CMOS (watch) battery in them to keep the clock going! Even all cell phones and smart phones have one as well in some shape or form. The reason for this is that the circuit that operates the clock has to have a power source continuously running to retain accuracy (this is why all clocks lose seconds/minutes/hours/etc. when the battery starts dying).

Just an update. The GameCube arrived and it had the correct date, but the incorrect time. I set the time when it arrived around 5PM today and it has not drifted, so I guess I am all set.

The only disappointing thing is it is not a DOL-001 model as the MPN on the listing claimed.I don't blame the seller for not understanding this, as its a somewhat nontrivial topic. However I will be on the hunt for one with digital output, as the analog output upscaled to 720/1080p is definitely blurry. Completely functional and usable with no noticeable delay, though, through a $13 upscaler.

I am sorry to hear that were you unable to land a 001 model, I definitely recommend looking into Indigo, Black, or Spice Orange systems because most of them are 001 from my experience (if you want a stellar-conditioned platinum 001 one, you will be paying a lot and you might as well just import a Spice Orange console and mod it to be region free for a similar price). I hope you are able to get one soon because 480p and 480i with a component or HDMI connection makes a world of a difference!

 

[jefflomacy]

Shortly after posting, I managed to find another listing for only $40 that had pictures of an indigo DOL-001-GC that had the digital output on it. I went ahead and bought it, because now that I have all the other components (controller and power cable) a console-only listing is accessible to me. After it arrives and I confirm it is a DOL-001-GC, I'll pick up that adapter. Thanks for all of your help on this, I'm sure I will get a ton of hours out of this system.

 

[jefflomacy]

This all arrived and looks great!!! Carby v2 with indigo GameCube connected to my 1080p television running at 480p looks amazing! I never thought Animal Crossing could look so good on GameCube. For those who don't know, if you're using digital output on the GameCube, you can hold "B" during the Nintendo logo and the game will ask you if you want to enter progressive scan mode. This is apparently true for a ton of titles, so I can't wait to play the backlog of games I've got this way.

In the end, I ended up with two GameCubes. Due to some shipping issues from one seller, I also ended up with two copies of Animal Crossing. So I guess I'll follow up in the buy/sell/trade section and see if anyone wants a GameCube+Animal Crossing.

Edit: The indigo GameCube does not keep time though. I'm going to have a local repair shop replace the battery for me and then it should be good for the next 15-20 years

 

[MasterM64]

This all arrived and looks great!!! Carby v2 with indigo GameCube connected to my 1080p television running at 480p looks amazing! I never thought Animal Crossing could look so good on GameCube. For those who don't know, if you're using digital output on the GameCube, you can hold "B" during the Nintendo logo and the game will ask you if you want to enter progressive scan mode. This is apparently true for a ton of titles, so I can't wait to play the backlog of games I've got this way.

In the end, I ended up with two GameCubes. Due to some shipping issues from one seller, I also ended up with two copies of Animal Crossing. So I guess I'll follow up in the buy/sell/trade section and see if anyone wants a GameCube+Animal Crossing.

Edit: The indigo GameCube does not keep time though. I'm going to have a local repair shop replace the battery for me and then it should be good for the next 15-20 years

I am so glad to hear that you were able to find a 001 model and were able to land a Carby! When it comes to the system not keeping the time, you can always open both GameCubes and swap the controller port boards between them to save money. o/

 

[jefflomacy]

Well, I didn't even think about that, but that was probably the best solution. I already dropped it off. I guess if they give me any hassle about the project I'll back out of it and go that route!

 

[lars708]

This all arrived and looks great!!! Carby v2 with indigo GameCube connected to my 1080p television running at 480p looks amazing! I never thought Animal Crossing could look so good on GameCube. For those who don't know, if you're using digital output on the GameCube, you can hold "B" during the Nintendo logo and the game will ask you if you want to enter progressive scan mode. This is apparently true for a ton of titles, so I can't wait to play the backlog of games I've got this way.

In the end, I ended up with two GameCubes. Due to some shipping issues from one seller, I also ended up with two copies of Animal Crossing. So I guess I'll follow up in the buy/sell/trade section and see if anyone wants a GameCube+Animal Crossing.

Edit: The indigo GameCube does not keep time though. I'm going to have a local repair shop replace the battery for me and then it should be good for the next 15-20 years

Wow seriously and here I am thinking that I knew my GameCube trivia

Gotta try that out