SwanBerry Pi

[goosewerks]

Hello! I just got a Bandai WonderSwan in the mail today from Japan, non-functioning due to a broken screen.

Pink was the only color on eBay for a broken console when I looked--I don't want to break functioning consoles.

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My plans are to add a Pi0W and a 2.5" backup screen from Amazon (ORDERED!), use a BangGood power module (ORDERED!), Panasonic 18650 3400mAh cell, USB DAC and original controls (if possible).

Initial teardown photos:

Unit length

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Unit width

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Rear with battery (AA) compartment removed

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Rear with battery compartment added

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Cart slot -- I don't have any games, and wasn't able to find any that are DOA; I'd prefer to not ruin a collectible game

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Right side has a connection port already there that will fit a USB perfectly

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Left side has a simple power switch in place already, very easy to reuse on PCB or just add my own SPST switch

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Pi0W added to rear cart slot (removed display connector lock) and fits without modifying case already.

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Pi0W placed in cart slot for eyeballing

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PCB shown with back case half removed

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Front of PCB and front case half, showing button membranes, odd speaker and contrast pot. Sound was controlled by a button.

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Start and Sound buttons (will be made to be Start and Select buttons). Sound was either OFF-LOW-HIGH

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Button pads. Hoping there are test points / test pads littered all over so I can tap into those and not scratch traces or have to make soft tac breakout boards. I want to use as much of the original unit as possible.

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Waiting for some more parts to arrive. I'll add more in here as soon as I make progress.
Thanks for looking!

[ICMF]

My plans are to add a ... Panasonic 18650 3400mAh cell

(hopefully I'm not pointing out the obvious, but) You'll need to mod the case to fit that battery. It won't fit in the AA bay:



Looks like a cool project, though. Nice to see people using different approaches.

[goosewerks]

My plans are to add a ... Panasonic 18650 3400mAh cell

(hopefully I'm not pointing out the obvious, but) You'll need to mod the case to fit that battery. It won't fit in the AA bay:



Looks like a cool project, though. Nice to see people using different approaches.

Not at all! I was going to remove the inside of the battery compartment and squeeze the cell in there. With the internals meant to hold a AA in there, I think it will have room. I think I might have one sitting around that I can test fit / mockup in the next few days.

[Eccho]

KirbyPi
PrincessBubblegumPi, aka PBPI
PinkPantherPi, aka the PPPi!

So many names for this build.

edit: Ok, PPPI (Peepee Pi) was a bad idea

[moosepr]

you will probably be ok with the 18650, they are 18mm in diameter, 650mm long. A nice big 3mm thich pouch cell might give you more options though.

funny, we were only discussing these on Discord the other day. Are you going to run it all in portrait mode?

[goosewerks]

you will probably be ok with the 18650, they are 18mm in diameter, 650mm long. A nice big 3mm thich pouch cell might give you more options though.

funny, we were only discussing these on Discord the other day. Are you going to run it all in portrait mode?

I held it up late last night when I had a spare moment and it'll be a tight fit, but it will fit (might need to notch a few things). I'd be open to other battery options as well but it seems easier to have the 18650 with a higher capacity than a 1S 2500mAh lipo obscuring half of the rear case. Plus the 18650 COULD be removable and swappable if I get thrifty with plugs.

I joined the Discord but haven't checked it since I joined. I haven't thought about portrait mode too much. Seems like the bound buttons may cause issue due to two d pads unless they're connected by traces.

KirbyPi
PrincessBubblegumPi, aka PBPI
PinkPantherPi, aka the PPPi!

So many names for this build.

edit: Ok, PPPI (Peepee Pi) was a bad idea

Some of those are pretty good actually lol.

[goosewerks]

A few small udpates:

Mockup of a GBZ lipo I had laying around. Not a lot of room for the Pi, USB DAC, BangGood power supply, etc.

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18650 fits MUCH better (allegedly!) with higher capacity.

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It's a tall feller, but if I cut down the area that it's perched on in this photo, it SHOULD fit much better. The original battery cover is also bubbled out for a AA cell. I hollowed it out, but it's still a bit small.

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After minor trimming / sanding, the USB port fits like a glove in the former "Link" spot.

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Got both D-pads, Sound/Select and A/B buttons tested out. I always love finding test pads. Much smaller wiring from a Walmart Special HDMI cable will be added whenever I get around to it.

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Screen comes in tomorrow; 2.5" composite rear view I found on eBay or Amazon. Toying with the idea of a SPI TFT 2.8" since it would technically fit the WS screen cutout a bit better. I tried to hold up the 3.5" but it extended beyond the button holes lol.

[moosepr]

Looking good! If you can get your hands on a genuine ncr18650b from Panasonic, then you will have 3400mah!

[goosewerks]

Looking good! If you can get your hands on a genuine ncr18650b from Panasonic, then you will have 3400mah!

Got a few saved on Amazon. Debated getting the button tops with protection built in but those are 10mm taller or so, would be a rough time fitting it all. The contrast pot is right there and I wanted to salvage that section of pcb and tap off of it but I could just use a new one.

[moosepr]

there is always the TP4056 boards. can do charge and protect all in a tiny board.