[WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

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marcoboy
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[WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Sat Mar 25, 2017 2:23 pm

A little bit of background

I've been building a few Game Boy Zero type projects since last summer (for friends) and now I decided to make the "ultimate" build with the best parts and finish I can muster.

Parts list (most definitely will change during the project)
  • DMG-01 grey replacement case from eBay / China
  • GP PowerBank GL343 4000mAh from Clas Ohlson
  • 640*480 3.5in LCD with composite input from eBay / China
  • Re-purposed cartridge connector from an old & broken Game Boy SP
  • Old and "worthless" game cartridge from eBay for an cartridge case
  • "kk_gb_zero_c" microSD card adapter from Kitsch-Bend
  • Volume wheel from eBay / China
  • Glass screen cover with black 1.5mm trim
  • Clear silicone buttons (to be used with RGB leds)
  • 8pcs 3528 RGB smd LEDs for the buttons (approx 7€ for 100pcs)
  • Micro audio amp from eBay / China
  • USB-C connector, braided USB-C cable and USB power supply / Charger
  • Selection of cables, buttons & switches
  • PS3 white controller
  • Viboton 2.4Ghz wireless keyboard
Status of the project
  • Case's insides trimmed to make room for battery and cartridge connector
  • Cartridge connector test fitted and installed (double sided tape and generous amount of hot glue)
  • Battery test fitted. The battery seems to be absolutely PERFECT fit for the case.
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Last edited by marcoboy on Sun Apr 16, 2017 6:10 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Sun Mar 26, 2017 12:40 pm

Slow day today, added new leads with connector for the battery.

Got a perfect opportunity to use Kapton tape for the first time :)

Interesting fact about this charge circuit:
Every time I disconnect and reconnect the leads to the battery the circuit/LEDs indicate empty battery and it requires about 3-5 min charging before the gauge shows full again. So it really seems to measure the real state of the battery properly? :) Never seen that happen...
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:42 pm

Today's achievement... Soldering leads for the cartridge connector and having fun with some shrink tube :)

Let's hope this works...
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Wed Mar 29, 2017 12:43 pm

Today was time to strip the keyboard receiver from its restrictive clothes and oh my! That's one tiny receiver right there. It's gonna fit easily inside the GBZ...

Btw, it's Viboton S1, and I'm going to use it only as a keyboard, even though it does have shoulder buttons and d-pad.
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Thu Mar 30, 2017 11:21 am

This three port USB hub (that I have tested to be working fully with Raspberry Zero "OTA" port) is getting really tiny after removing the case and all the ports.

Link to the HUB's eBay page: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-3Ports-480 ... Swf05XPCS8 (price is around 2-3€/$)

I bought and tested over 10 adapters (small, without external power) and only two models actually worked with the Raspberry Pi Zero and keyboard, sound card & controller connected... Most of them didn't give enough power through... (And there have been some reports on the whole OTA thing messing power output of the Rasps port, don't really know the specifics)
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Fri Mar 31, 2017 1:35 pm

Today was time to connect the USB hub to keyboard receiver and soundcard...

Third USB output is spare at the moment.

A small explanation of the parts:
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by RetroRocket » Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:06 pm

Lookin' real tidy!

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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by marcoboy » Sun Apr 16, 2017 5:47 am

Hi all!

Was hoping to get the HD screen before the Easter.... But no such luck :( Ordered 4 weeks ago and it has not even left the China yet!!!

We'll... Gotta proceed with the project anyways!

Today I had some time to solder leads for the smd RGB LEDs for the transparent buttons. Actually the soldering was not that hard after all... I was preparing for some really frustrating times.

I think finger is more appropriate size comparison here then banana:
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So small!!! Tiny even! Eight pcs in total.
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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by gilbertotron » Sun Apr 16, 2017 10:11 am

You should record the process, I'd have liked to have seen you solder those.
They look fiddly AF.

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Re: [WIP] Yet Another Raspberry Pi Game Boy Zero type thingie

Post by ShadowFax » Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:23 am

Gosh! I bet you have an awesome soldering skill!
That is one tiny LED. You just inspired me to use LED as well, good luck on the rest of the build!

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