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[Help Needed] Mini Arcade Raspberry Pi 3

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:17 am
by 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
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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
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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 :)
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
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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
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Sorry for any english typos, not my mother language (Portuguese living in Belgium).

Re: Mini Arcade Raspberry Pi 3

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:46 am
by YaYa
Awesome hahaha
I like that !

Re: [Help Needed] Mini Arcade Raspberry Pi 3

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2018 1:42 am
by 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 :)