[Help Needed] Mini Arcade Raspberry Pi 3

[marciodsousa]

Hi Everyone,

Rather new here, but got motivated to do a build of my own.

Always wanted to have an arcade, but also a portable gaming device, and also something i can just plug-in the TV and use Kodi on or play some games.

I ended up buying this bad boy from amazon:

Mini Arcade stockShow

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01GKE ... UTF8&psc=1

Unfortunately, it was full of terrible games as one should expect. Some clones of real games but with messed up textures and sound, which, as we all know, is a HUGE part in playing retro games.

After tearing it up apart and peeling all the stickers (remove the glue was harder that I thought. Had to use WD40 and it worked amazingly) this is what i was left with.

Arcade tear downShow

It is one of those single board systems but it included a separated controller pad PCB which I intend to reuse (together with all the buttons), a speaker, power switch and a screen (obviously).

I ended up buying a Raspberry PI 3 since it I need and want some power when I plug it on the TV and play 1080p streams and games from PSX, N64 and so on.
So these were my requirements

• Raspbery Pi 3

• HDMI out

• Easy access to Ethernet

• Easy access to USB

• Reuse Controller PCB

• Reuse Speaker (might change if sound is too bad)

• Add Battery For portability

Since I had no experience with electronics and soldering (and equipment for it) I was trying to avoid it as much as possible but it just wasn't possible at some point

Parts List (WIP)Show

Jumper Cables
https://aliexpress.com/item/dupont-cabl ... 0.0.VVfma7
HDMI Extension Female to Female
https://aliexpress.com/item/0-15m-HDMI- ... 0.0.KwtdlZ
HDMI curve (?!)
https://aliexpress.com/item/Elecrow-HDM ... 0.0.KwtdlZ
2.4 TFT LCD based on ILI9341
https://aliexpress.com/item/2-4-240x320 ... 0.0.VVfma7

Hot glue gun
https://aliexpress.com/item/20W-EU-Plug ... 0.0.VVfma7
Solder iron
https://aliexpress.com/item/Thermoregul ... 0.0.VVfma7

Parts IncomingShow

"Banggood" Power supply
https://aliexpress.com/item/3-7V-Li-ion ... 0.0.ZUMoHZ
3.7 V 3000 mAh Li-Po battery
https://aliexpress.com/item/Free-shippi ... 0.0.ZUMoHZ
D-PAM8302 Amp
https://aliexpress.com/item/2130-Mono-2 ... 0.0.ZUMoHZ
Gameboy Volume Wheel
https://aliexpress.com/item/E-house-Vol ... 0.0.ZUMoHZ

After removing the whole battery compartment in the back (with a knife ) i realized it is the best spot for all the I/O to be. So, ethernet and USB from the Raspberry PI will go there, together with the HDMI extender and USB input for power.

Currently I have the screen working and also the buttons:

ProgressShow

But i am currently struggling with:

• Wiring for power supply + battery: I will buy one from banggood since they are substantially cheaper than Powerboost, but I dont know which battery and how this powerboost would connect to the raspberry pi (via GPIO?!)

• Wiring and components for speaker: I think itºs just a very simple mono speaker, so I was wondering if I really need a USB DAC and an Amp for this, or if I can just solder it to a headphone jack (??)

• Also, what is the best way to secure the components position? I would like to avoid hot glue since I still want to be able to remove the components easily in case something goes south. Is there any screw hole thing I can buy?!

• Fixing that terrible hole I just did: So, yes, in the end i will want to cover that hideous hole that exists where the battery compartment used to be. Any good ideas for this? 3d print a block of plastic with the cutouts I need for the IO and try to glue/sand it in place until "uniform"?

This is roughly the schematics of my componentsShow

Sorry for any english typos, not my mother language (Portuguese living in Belgium).

[YaYa]

Awesome hahaha
I like that !

[marciodsousa]

Well, ended up buying a Volume Wheel from a Gameboy, a very common PAM8302 amp, a banggood power supply together with a 3000mAh battery (since it doesnt work properly without one). Links on the first post!

Unfortunately this means that work is now on hold until these items arrive, but I could still use some advice on the first post questions