Now the X61 has USB C Charging too

[iamdmc]

Photos at https://imgur.com/a/LyP07Rt

Special thanks to other forum members and reddit posts:

https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... ing_i_did/

https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... g_another/

https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... _charging/

https://old.reddit.com/r/thinkpad/comme ... _c_mod_on/

AFIAK this is the oldest model ThinkPad that has had USB C charging modded in - but it's by no means the limit. Technically anything model could benefit

In version 1.0 I've cut the barrel plug off, soldered the wires to the ZYPDS USB C PD board (after bridging the contacts so it outputs 20V), removed the RJ11 modem port (didn't need it anyway), and used Sugru/Kintsuglue moldable glue to stick it down in place. A bit jank as is but it works! Tested with slice/dock battery and 4-cell battery. Lenovo Vantage misreports it as 120W charger - I used a 285Ohm resistor as others have, but some posts suggest 1kOhm is better so I might try that.

The next version I'll solder in the ZYPDS board to run in parallel with the barrel connector, so you can use either barrel or USB-C. Also going to buy black coloured Sugru/Kintsuglue moldable glue to completely cover the modem port and make it look a bit more... engineered. IMHO it's a better option than 3D printed holder as it would take too much doing to fit it into modem port.

And yes, there's an even simpler option for those who don't want to mess with it, but it is a dongle and I hate dongles: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Type-C-P ... 3598638621

Anyway just thought I'd share! This is part of my "X61 2020" project where I modernise the X61 as much as possible for today's use. This includes the 2.4GHz CPU OC by pinmod, 8GB DDR2, SXGA+ X61T screen (also working on alternative higher res modern display - stay tuned), 250GB SSD at SATA300 speed, Wifi 6 using Intel AX200 + mPCIe to M.2 adapter, USB 3.0, integrated USB webcam from T450s, and re-celling 4-cell battery to have actual runtime (since all aftermarket batteries I've tried suck and all original batteries hold so little charge since they're from 2007-2009)

Is it WORTH it? Probably not in a financial sense no... but it's modding, so it's for fun - and for me it's massive nostalgia! It was the only one of my 11 or so ThinkPads I didn't sell when I moved to the model up, and was with me through uni & some hard times after.

[axur-delmeria]

The next version I'll solder in the ZYPDS board to run in parallel with the barrel connector, so you can use either barrel or USB-C.

That's a good idea. Maximum flexibility.

also working on alternative higher res modern display - stay tuned
USB 3.0
integrated USB webcam from T450s

Now these get my attention.
XGA is quite limiting these days.
Lack USB 3.0 was one of the reasons I moved on from the X61.
I've already installed USB webcam on an X61 Tablet; the narrow display bezel on a regular X61 is gonna be a challenge. I wanna see how you pull it off.

[iamdmc]

The next version I'll solder in the ZYPDS board to run in parallel with the barrel connector, so you can use either barrel or USB-C.

That's a good idea. Maximum flexibility.

also working on alternative higher res modern display - stay tuned
USB 3.0
integrated USB webcam from T450s

Now these get my attention.
XGA is quite limiting these days.
Lack USB 3.0 was one of the reasons I moved on from the X61.
I've already installed USB webcam on an X61 Tablet; the narrow display bezel on a regular X61 is gonna be a challenge. I wanna see how you pull it off.

XGA was bad enough... but the TN panel is TERRIBLE. Already did SXGA+ mod with one X61, now trying a few workarounds (driver boards, 3:2 12" screens, adapters) that might get me there

As for USB 3.0 that's still a tough one, but have been ordering a few different mPCIe to USB3.0 controller cards and hoping at least one of them will work (and fit into the casing lol)

[axur-delmeria]

Another forum member installed an mPCIe USB 3.0 card. It worked, but the main issue was heat, even when the USB 3.0 wasn't being used. He tried installing a power switch for it, but wrecked the card in the process.

[iamdmc]

Hmmm

Do you know if the pinmod works only in the left mPCIe slot?

If it works in the right one, maybe one could install the USB 3.0 card in the left one and control it with the wifi switch

Or you could just disable it through software when not in use

[axur-delmeria]

Do you know if the pinmod works only in the left mPCIe slot?

No idea. I suppose you have to consult the schematics in order to make sure.

Or you could just disable it through software when not in use

Sounds reasonable, though how to do it on Linux?

[Libre_ME]

Congratulations on this build/project! This really tics lots of boxes, for me. I've been thinking how to charge a Thinkpad's battery in the field without lugging heavy/huge solar panels and inverters around. I'll have to look into this more closely and see if it's something that I might be able to handle. I like the idea of running the 2x connectors in parallel, if there's enough room for that.

[iamdmc]

I'm in talks with mikepdiy to try to make a drop in replacement kit for the X61/X60 that could retain both barrel and USB-C charging. Will post if we manage to get it working!

USB C PD power bank will definitely charge the battery, and it remains to be seen if the 'fakeslice' software mod can make it so the X61 will run off the USB C PD power bank directly (again - stay tuned )

[branpurn]

I opted for a couple dongles: USB C to Lenovo "slim", and Lenovo "slim" to classic barrel connector.

[crashnburn]

Holy wow! following this.. is this something one could do on other TPs? What other such mods out there?

[DLinks1292]

I really want to know if I need to put resistor if I still use the original barrel Jack receptacle on my T400 chassis and made USB type-C dongle instead, since I gonna use the OG charger when I'm home and use the type-C charger when I travelling. Any answer will be appreciated!

[iamdmc]

I really want to know if I need to put resistor if I still use the original barrel Jack receptacle on my T400 chassis and made USB type-C dongle instead, since I gonna use the OG charger when I'm home and use the type-C charger when I travelling. Any answer will be appreciated!

You're better off buying a usb c pd to barrel adapter nowadays. I made my mod when zypds boards were still fairly new. No good reason to do the mod now unless you have multiple sites you will take your laptop to where there are already usb c chargers

[DLinks1292]

I really want to know if I need to put resistor if I still use the original barrel Jack receptacle on my T400 chassis and made USB type-C dongle instead, since I gonna use the OG charger when I'm home and use the type-C charger when I travelling. Any answer will be appreciated!

You're better off buying a usb c pd to barrel adapter nowadays. I made my mod when zypds boards were still fairly new. No good reason to do the mod now unless you have multiple sites you will take your laptop to where there are already usb c chargers

I want to do that in the first place, but those $12 adapter will cost me 3x the money in my country, the import taxes is too darn high

[pigroasts]

I really want to know if I need to put resistor if I still use the original barrel Jack receptacle on my T400 chassis and made USB type-C dongle instead, since I gonna use the OG charger when I'm home and use the type-C charger when I travelling. Any answer will be appreciated!

You're better off buying a usb c pd to barrel adapter nowadays. I made my mod when zypds boards were still fairly new. No good reason to do the mod now unless you have multiple sites you will take your laptop to where there are already usb c chargers

Any suggestions as to where to snag one of these?

[iamdmc]

You're better off buying a usb c pd to barrel adapter nowadays. I made my mod when zypds boards were still fairly new. No good reason to do the mod now unless you have multiple sites you will take your laptop to where there are already usb c chargers

Any suggestions as to where to snag one of these?

EBay, aliexpress, anywhere

[crashnburn]

Any suggestions as to where to snag one of these?

EBay, aliexpress, anywhere

Got AliEx but too late. Any other links?