Snes controller Pi Zero power question

[Foxcadet]

Hi there, just trying to make a Retropie in a Snes Controller with the PRS-TECH-BOARD, and having an issue getting the video to work through the hdmi port and wondering if it's a power related thing...

I've opted to just power the thing by wiring up a usb cable, as i couldn't find a HDMI cable to mod to send the 5V required down the cable into the pi zero... I've attached a pic of what i've done so far, and just wondering what i've done wrong? It seems to sound like it is working as the pi zero w makes a small humming sound. Do i need to connect the other 2 usb cables (green and white) to the pp22 and pp23 pads on the pi too, even though i'm just powering using the usb for power?
Sorry, i'm very new to this if you can't tell!

Any help would really be appreciated.

Pi_Pic.jpg (4.48 MiB) Viewed 11183 times

[dryja123]

Take a look how it's wired up in the sale thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2659

[Foxcadet]

Thanks - So i believe that wire going from where the HDMI pad is to the other side is for supplying power from the HDMI cable once it's plugged in the TV. But only if you have modded the other end of the cable to cope with 5V (which i cannot do) - unless i'm mistaken?

[tinkerBOY]

Did you test the pi before you did this?

You don't have to connect the green and white wires from the usb cable as long as the wires you soldered are 5v (red) and ground (black). Test it with a multimeter.

[Foxcadet]

Hey Zeroboy, thanks for your response.
So sadly I stupidly didn't test the pi before wiring it up. But actually, i'm making 2 of these at the same time, wired all the same. And they both aren't working in the same way.... very bizarre.
And thanks for letting me know i don't have to connect the green and white wires. And sadly, I don't have a multimeter to test things on the other 2.... I may have to de-solder the power and try and fit a normal usb plug in there and see if that works?
cheers.

[tinkerBOY]

Yes connect a normal micro usb power.

I bought two cheapy 8gb micro sdcard that would not work on my pi zero. When i turn on the power the pi gets no led light. so you might test another sdcard too.

[Foxcadet]

Thanks Zeroboy, tried soldering the gpio pins and nothing... then tried just plugging a USB in, still nothing....
Going to desolder the whole thing from the board and test the pi by itself to see if that changes anything... have to get a desoldering pump first.

I'll also try a different SD card, although it's a samsung SD card and it should be alright... i'll get there. I hope

[Holydohnut]

You'd be better off with desoldering braid to get that off. You'll be there all week with a solder sucker.

As a top tip, when you resolder, not all the pins need soldering. You can see in the software setup guide which pins you need for the controls, and then just the 5v and a ground. That's all I soldered when I built mine.

[Foxcadet]

Hey Holydohnut, OH cool thanks, i'll get some of that braid instead actually.
And oh i see! Yeah it looks like i only need to only solder 12 things rather than eeeeeeverything. I get it now. Did you solder your usb power to 2 and 6 of the pinouts sorry? I'd love to see a picture of the inside of yours if that's ok?

[Holydohnut]

Here you go. (Ignore the blue wire. That's for a shutdown button I haven't got round to completing yet.)