Homebrew "Shutdown DRC" [Request]: Power off the Wii U GamePad completely!

[WiisleyU]

There are great apps like Padcon and SwapDRC that are capable of turning off the GamePad screen letting you continue to use its buttons, sound and even the touchscreen but I wonder if we could have an homebrew to shutdown the unit completely when we are using another controllers like a Wii Remote or Wii U Pro on games and emulators like Retroarch. It should help to not drain any battery when the GamePad is not needed and save, in long-term, the battery life since some people are having so much problems with chargers and even swollen batteries that does not work anymore!

Yes, there are "tricks" to power off the GamePad without shutdown the Wii U console but sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. The "sync trick" may work flawlessly but it leads to ressync the GamePad everytime you need this again, not being practical at all.

 

[MrKatanaObiWan]

.

 

[WiisleyU]

Yeah! Going to vWii mode let's you to keep only the TV and on vWii (no WiiVC) you are able to shutdown the GamePad without power off the Wii U.

 

[greenlanternx]

install a switch in the cable between the battery port and the motherboard

 

[WiisleyU]

install a switch in the cable between the battery port and the motherboard

What???

 

[MrKatanaObiWan]

.

 

[WiisleyU]

He means to cut a hole in the casing and just solder a switch between the gamepad battery and the main board. Possible but doubt many will do it.

Hardmod... duh

 

[greenlanternx]

He means to cut a hole in the casing and just solder a switch between the gamepad battery and the main board. Possible but doubt many will do it.

Hardmod... duh

that's right, is the easiest way, and brick-proof

 

[uyjulian]

The battery is still connected to listen to the power button, remote power-on, and quick start menu, so for 100% shutoff, you need to use a power switch between the battery and the GamePad.

 

[YOUCANTSTOPME]

Other than a few moments where it's required (like using the Preferences/Options menu), I never use the Gamepad. Then when I play games like Mario Kart, I have to go to the screen shut off menu every time. Kind of annoying. I always leave it plugged in. A way to have it always off until you press a button to turn it on would be great. Oh well.

 

[bodefuceta]

From a quick glance, there is a VPADShutdown function in the same Maschell's dynamic libs. Maybe you could replace the setlcdfunction, from the padcon source.
Edit: I don't know what this does at all, though, or even how to to compile this.. Maybe what you want isnt even implemented.

 

[MrKatanaObiWan]

.

 

[dibas]

From a quick glance, there is a VPADShutdown function in the same Maschell's dynamic libs. Maybe you could replace the setlcdfunction, from the padcon source.
Edit: I don't know what this does at all, though, or even how to to compile this.. Maybe what you want isnt even implemented.

I'm pretty sure VPADShutdown() doesn't actually do anything on the current Wii U firmware. While I was working on padcon I had a look at it. It's deprecated (or "depricated", as you can see below )

 

[xLothwenx]

This is a workaround in lieu of a real software power-off:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-off-wii-u-gampad-sync-button-mode.371273/#post-7084029

 

[WiisleyU]

This is a workaround in lieu of a real software power-off:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/switch-off-wii-u-gampad-sync-button-mode.371273/#post-7084029

Yes, I use the "De-Sync method" already

 

[veekay]

I recently bought a Wii U and had no idea the level of gamepad involvement, nor the ability to power it off independently (easily).

Took a few minutes to install a switch to kill the battery so no more messing with DRC or having to leave the room to kill the thing. Out of the way of my hands and works perfect. Glad for all the extra space in the battery compartment.

 

[WiisleyU]

I recently bought a Wii U and had no idea the level of gamepad involvement, nor the ability to power it off independently (easily).

Took a few minutes to install a switch to kill the battery so no more messing with DRC or having to leave the room to kill the thing. Out of the way of my hands and works perfect. Glad for all the extra space in the battery compartment.

Interesting, lol! But it's not a easy way for most people that doesn't have hardmod abilities...

 

[Dust2dust]

As mentioned from that post from julialy, even if you fully charge the gamepad, use it for five minutes, then turn it off completely, it will still drain the battery to zero power in a matter of a week or two. Pretty bad design choice from Nintendo. A physical switch is really the only solution to prevent this.

The battery is still connected to listen to the power button, remote power-on, and quick start menu, so for 100% shutoff, you need to use a power switch between the battery and the GamePad.