Sota's alternative RPi 3 build [using as many alternatives as possible + 2 analog sticks] (WIP)

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sotasystems
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Sota's alternative RPi 3 build [using as many alternatives as possible + 2 analog sticks] (WIP)

Post by sotasystems » Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:39 am

I had so much fun with my 1st build (seen here) and gathered quite a bit of experience along the way,
that I decided to do a 2nd build! :)

So if you enjoyed my 1st build, stay tuned for this one! ;)
I am giving away my 1st build as a christmas present, so this one will be my new personal :)

This build comes with a twist, though. I wanted to "challenge myself" using as many alternative parts as possible, reducing the overall cost (I am NOT going for the "cheapest build possible" here, that is the difference)

My main goals:
  • Getting as many parts from germany as possible (that's where I live). If there are parts I can't get from germany, I will get them from another country (probably china)
  • Getting as many parts from one seller as possible to save shipping costs
  • Getting the picked parts at the lowest price possible
  • Not necessarily being bound to use parts like in the original build, I will get my own, individual set of parts that I think I can work with and achieve same functionality as the original (hence "alternative" in the title). The benefit of this is that the cost will go down quite a bit.
My build will feature (in difference of the "original GBZ"):
  • Pre-stripped Raspberry Pi 3 by me
  • 2 PSP analog sticks like in my last build
  • DIY Low-Battery indicator with safe shutdown by me
  • Safe shutdown button
  • Apart from the L1 and R1 buttons, also L2 and R2 buttons
  • DIY button PCB from perfboard (I would call it "poor man button PCB" :lol:)
This time around with a black GameBoy casing:

Image

I will be getting all my parts from eBay.

[spoiler="Parts list"]
  • ARRIVED. Micro USB cable for the Leonardo: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Audio jack: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Spare USB port: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 2600mAh battery: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Volume wheel potentiometer: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Some random gameboy game to cover up: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Speaker: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Battery charging unit: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Power boosting unit: Germany
  • ARRIVED. LED's: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Mini USB breakout: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Power switch: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Perfboard to make a button PCB: Germany
  • ARRIVED. PSP 2000 analog stick: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Audio amplifier: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Arduino Leonardo pro micro: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Arduino nano: Germany
  • ARRIVED. Tactile switches: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 470kΩ resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 300Ω resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 100kΩ resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 10kΩ resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 6.2kΩ resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. 3kΩ resistors: Germany
  • ARRIVED. IRF540N N-MOSFET: Germany
  • LOST WHILE SHIPPING. HAS BEEN REFUNDED BY SELLER. 3.5" backup monitor: China
  • ARRIVED. Complete Replacement Gameboy shell: China
[/spoiler]

Total Cost: 90,89 € for everything except the Raspberry Pi which is about another ~39,- €.
Last edited by sotasystems on Fri Jan 20, 2017 2:35 pm, edited 23 times in total.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to inform you that I am currently moving very far away, and therefore I am very busy.

UPDATE: I am still alive! My ISP is setting up my internet on the 19th of January at my new place, explaining my offline-ness.

If you write me a PM, I will very likely take some time to respond.

Also, my 2nd build will soon go on, so if you've been following it, please stay tuned! :)

Many thanks for your understanding!

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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible] (WIP)

Post by jellybelly » Sat Dec 03, 2016 10:53 am

i shall be watching this closely :)

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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible] (WIP)

Post by clamj00ce » Sat Dec 03, 2016 8:50 pm

looking forward to it. Your first build made me want to try to de-solder my pi2 and stuff it in there. Hope it goes well :)

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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible w/Pi 3] (WIP)

Post by Camble » Mon Dec 05, 2016 1:25 pm

Not absolutely sure what your plan for power is, but you might find this useful/interesting:

http://ficara.altervista.org/?p=2736


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sotasystems
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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible w/Pi 3] (WIP)

Post by sotasystems » Thu Dec 08, 2016 7:17 am

abrugsch wrote:I think that 2600 mAh for €2.50 is going to be wishful thinking ;)
I thought so too, but I am curious ;)
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to inform you that I am currently moving very far away, and therefore I am very busy.

UPDATE: I am still alive! My ISP is setting up my internet on the 19th of January at my new place, explaining my offline-ness.

If you write me a PM, I will very likely take some time to respond.

Also, my 2nd build will soon go on, so if you've been following it, please stay tuned! :)

Many thanks for your understanding!

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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible w/Pi 3] (WIP)

Post by abrugsch » Thu Dec 08, 2016 8:50 am

sotasystems wrote:I thought so too, but I am curious ;)
good point.
well if they are anything close to that, let me know :)
I just ordered an Anker Galaxy SIII 2200 mAh battery from amazon for £9 which at least stands a chance of being what it says it is :shock:
I've already 3D modelled/printed a battery holder for it that's going to be incorporated into my build but the size of that could be compelling if it's remotely near rated capacity

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sotasystems
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Re: Sota's alternative build [using as many alternatives as possible w/Pi 3] (WIP)

Post by sotasystems » Thu Dec 15, 2016 9:23 am

Okay, so my new Raspberry Pi 3 arrived in the mail today, I will get desoldering soon. :)
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to inform you that I am currently moving very far away, and therefore I am very busy.

UPDATE: I am still alive! My ISP is setting up my internet on the 19th of January at my new place, explaining my offline-ness.

If you write me a PM, I will very likely take some time to respond.

Also, my 2nd build will soon go on, so if you've been following it, please stay tuned! :)

Many thanks for your understanding!

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sotasystems
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Re: Sota's alternative RPi 3 build [using as many alternatives as possible + 2 analog sticks] (WIP)

Post by sotasystems » Thu Dec 15, 2016 12:01 pm

Okay, so I tested my Pi BEFORE proceeding with the desoldering to make sure it is 100% O.K. and wrote the test protocol for that.
Image

For anybody wondering how I am testing my GPIO's, I am doing it via this simple python script:

Code: Select all

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

outpins = [2,3,4,17,27,22,10,9,11,5,6,13,19,26,14,15,18,23,24,25,8,7,12,16,20,21]
GPIO.setwarnings(False)
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(outpins, GPIO.OUT)

state = True

while True:
    GPIO.output(outpins,True)
    time.sleep(1)
    GPIO.output(outpins,False)
    time.sleep(1)
USE THIS CODE AT YOUR OWN RISK!
DO NOT HOOK UP LED'S DIRECTLY TO THE GPIO'S! IT CAN POTENTIALY DESTROY THEM/MORE OR OTHER COMPONENTS, OR THE ENTIRE Pi.

And then I run the script and measure all the GPIO pins one by one with my multimeter.

Everything is good as you see, so I can proceed with the desoldering. :)

UPDATE: I desoldered everything, and it really does look good:
Image
Image

But sadly, the Pi is dead. :cry:
I did use an antistatic wrist-band all the time (and I always do), I measured all testpads (PP's) and they all have their supposed values, but when power is applied to the Pi, it lights the Power LED, but that's all. No act. No image. No boot.
SD card is O.K. (tested in my other Gameboy to make sure) and also tested two other SD cards, but nothing.

Well, I guess I have to get a new one then. :roll:
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to inform you that I am currently moving very far away, and therefore I am very busy.

UPDATE: I am still alive! My ISP is setting up my internet on the 19th of January at my new place, explaining my offline-ness.

If you write me a PM, I will very likely take some time to respond.

Also, my 2nd build will soon go on, so if you've been following it, please stay tuned! :)

Many thanks for your understanding!

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Re: Sota's alternative RPi 3 build [using as many alternatives as possible + 2 analog sticks] (WIP)

Post by nuneberg » Sat Dec 17, 2016 10:13 am

Hello.

Have you tried using a teensy for the joysticks? Or des not the teensy workshop well with joysticks?

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