GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

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dbak85
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GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by dbak85 » Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:49 pm

So after My first project, I had a number of things that I wanted to improve on my Gameboy classic build. Here is a list of things I did not like:
  • It ran very hot
  • Screen is okay but could be better and bigger
  • Not as comfortable as I thought it would be with the joysticks
All in all it was great, but I feel the RPI3 was too much in such a small case. I always remembered the GBA very fondly as being my first portable that I bought with my hard earned cash, but the GBA is just too small for what I want.
With this in mind I present: The GBA-XL !
Front panelShow
Image
Bottom shellShow
Image
Angle viewShow
Image
Based on the shape of the GBA but a little bigger.

List of features:
  • Rpi3 Removed from the GB (It will be revived with a Pi Zero W in the future)
  • 5' HDMI screen
  • Ceramic heatsinks attached to heatpipes for cooling (Maybe a micro blower fan?)
  • 18650 Batteries for extra powah
  • Neopixel status light
I have been working a lot of hours on the case and It is a lot of work, but I am almost ready. It will be in 3 layers:
Bottom layer with PI3, batteries and loads of coolingShow
Image
Middle layer with all electronics and switchesShow
Image
Top layer with buttons and screenShow
Image
I am currently testing hardware and finishing up the case. I have to design the screws for closing the case, the trigger button holding setup ( This is proving very tricky ) and The power switch arrangement.
I should be ready for a first iteration next week. I'll add more as soon as I have more to update.

Until then, thanks for looking!
Last edited by dbak85 on Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

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GBA-xl, A custom Gameboy Advance with a RPI3

Post by dbak85 » Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:49 pm

List of parts:

AIO : Raspberry pi 3
Screen : Waveshare 5' HDMI touchscreen
Power : PowerBoost 1000 Basic
Charger : TP4056 charging module
RGB status light : Neopixel status light (Made a mistake buying these, I thought they were adafruit ones... ah well we will see)
Sound card : Usb DAC
Amplifier : Pam8403 amplifier board
Speakers : 2 x 1w speakers
Batteries : 2x GENUINE PANASONIC 3400mAh NCR 18650
Battery Holders : Battery Holders
Heatpipes : 80mm and 100mm
Heatsinks : Amec thermasol ceramic heatsinks
  • 30mm*30mm Ramsink
  • 1x30mm*30mm and 1x40mm*40mm Heatsinks for the Processor
Last edited by dbak85 on Mon Aug 28, 2017 11:17 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom Gameboy Advance with a RPI3

Post by muniosi » Sun Aug 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Cool idea! Looking forward to the finished product.
I've just finished my milk.

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by abrugsch » Tue Aug 29, 2017 1:48 am

yes very. I have one of these waveshare's and it's very nice. been meaning to do something similar with it, but with more DMG styling

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by Hackmi » Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:02 am

Good luck, I'm trying something similar, though I'll wait for yours to finish first, for "inspiration" XD.

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom Gameboy Advance with a RPI3

Post by abrugsch » Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:25 am

dbak85 wrote:
Sun Aug 27, 2017 3:49 pm
RGB status light : Neopixel status light (Made a mistake buying these, I thought they were adafruit ones... ah well we will see)
nope, no mistake, they are exactly the same as adafruit ones, just adafruit give them a fancy name. I use these in loads of colour-changing projects with arduino's and the adafruit libraries work perfectly. (remember, apart form their own blue in house designed PCB's, adafruit stuff is just off the shelf chinese stuff repackaged and re-branded (and tested/certified/tutorialized - hence their redonkulous markup)

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by dbak85 » Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:53 am

Hackmi wrote:
Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:02 am
Good luck, I'm trying something similar, though I'll wait for yours to finish first, for "inspiration" XD.
:lol: No pressure huh?

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom Gameboy Advance with a RPI3

Post by dbak85 » Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:56 am

abrugsch wrote:
Tue Aug 29, 2017 3:25 am
nope, no mistake, they are exactly the same as adafruit ones, just adafruit give them a fancy name. I use these in loads of colour-changing projects with arduino's and the adafruit libraries work perfectly. (remember, apart form their own blue in house designed PCB's, adafruit stuff is just off the shelf chinese stuff repackaged and re-branded (and tested/certified/tutorialized - hence their redonkulous markup)
I just had to use Neopixels again. The result on my first Gameboy was so good :D
Speaking of Adafruit it is true that they have a big markup, but they also have a good service.
You get what you pay for
As my dad always said.

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by abrugsch » Tue Aug 29, 2017 4:08 am

indeed I totally agree, but sometimes you're just paying a middleman. I'm fine paying for service where it's due, but when the EXACT same product is available in maybe a slightly different form
(this is my usual source for WS2812b's https://www.banggood.com/100Pcs-DC-5V-3 ... 79463.html ) then I'm not sure AF's markup is always worth it. they even say in their dcoumentation, the part number: WS2812b
At the end of the day, their parts are for prototyping and learning. the point is to then go on to make your own stuff using the knowledge you gained from their parts and tutorials

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Re: GBA-xl, A custom 3D printed Gameboy Advance

Post by dbak85 » Tue Aug 29, 2017 8:43 am

Agreed. I was worried about compatibility but if they are the same yay!
So many Neopixels for $15 :o

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