R36S Hardware Modifications

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Battery extender with 2*18650 Li-Ion

Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1j3kb9z/battery_extender_with_218650_liion/

Cover for 2 battery 3.7V Lithium 18650 with USB-C charging module.

You need :

1 x 3.7V Lithium Battery Charger 5V 1A 2A Li-ion Lipo Battery Charging Protect

2 x Battery Shrapnel 18650 Battery Spring Positive And Negative Contact (need cut 2 spirale on negative contact)

1x JST 1.25mm PH2.0 XH2.54 2 Pin Male Plug (15cm)

File for 3D Print :

https://cults3d.com/fr/mod%C3%A8le-3d/gadget/18650-cover-for-r36s

You can use this 3500mAh battery for extend your battery at 7000mAh !

Modding and Teardown Guide

"Ultimate R36S" by Swimming-Emphasis-91

Reddit thread with lots of info and links to parts and guides: https://www.reddit.com/r/R36S/comments/1hj43z1/my_perhaps_ultimate_r36s/

  • Hall effect joysticks
  • Heatsink
  • Inbuilt Wi-Fi
  • Inbuilt Bluetooth
  • Silence tactile buttons
  • Anatomic shoulder buttons
  • Rumble motor
  • Theme modification

D-pad and Buttons Fix / Improvement

R36S Teardown & DPAD/Button Fix

R36S D-pad: 3-minute fix challenge

R36S Disassembly Tips - Improve Buttons

Joystick Mods

R36S | Hall Effect Joystick Upgrade | Tutorial

Change / Upgrade R36S CONTROLS: Hall Effect

Small upgrade of analog sticks

Internal WiFi Mods

Wi-fi Mod

R36s Internal WiFi Mod - Detailed Description and Device Teardown


Wi-Fi module on the V21 board

Soldered Wi-Fi module on the V21 board

internal usb uart console mod

in a very hacker friendly move, the manufacturer provided test points for the usb D+/D- data lines of the charging port on the PCB. this allows to add internal usb hardware that can be connected to a PC by connecting a normal usb A to C cable to the charging port. (which will still charge the R36S at the same time.) the test points are on the "bottom" side of the pcb, you have to remove the board from the case to access them.

i used this to add an usb uart adapter that gives convenient access the serial console. (this will for some people/situations be more convenient than plugging in a usb keyboard or using wifi+ssh.)

i opted for a tiny usb uart module from aliexpress because it's neater, but you can also remove the usb connector of any other one. beware that the uart side must use 3.3V signals (not 5V). this is pulling the 3.3V power supply from the uart test points on the R36S (note that i set the jumper on the module to 3V input), which has the downside that the usb device only registers on the host when the R36S is powered up. if i were to do this again i would find a point to grab to the supply 5V from the charging port instead.

Heatsink Mods

The R36S handheld can get pretty toasty during marathon gaming sessions, but a few clever cooling tricks can keep it chill. Whether you add some copper sheets, thermal pads, and extra vent holes for passive heat‑spreading or an active cooling fan, these low‑cost mods make a big difference—and your games stay smooth without the sweat.

Active Cooling

Mod 1 - u/nikonair

Reddit: R36S heatsink mod and thermal performance testing.

Tools: Performance data collector for R36S consoles

Heatsink Mod
Performance Testing

Mod 2 - u/snacktivism

Reddit: Internal Active Cooling - u/snacktivism

Passive Cooling

Mod 1 - u/Skromnjaga

Reddit: One week with R36S. Upgrades/mods/plans - u/Skromnjaga

Mod 2 - u/kingElec

Reddit: Cheap and easy heatsink mod - u/kingElec

Mod 3 - u/kingElec

Heatsink mod shown - U/kingElec

Mod 4 - u/gendou_neoretrogamer

I installed a M2 heatsink on my R36S chipset. Fits perfect. - u/gendou_neoretrogamer

Display Changing Guide

This is a tutorial to change a broken screen. Device in the video is the R35S, but the process is almost the same for the R36S.