DIY 2.4in LCD in MintyPi!

[dawidziaja]

As stated in the title, I managed to manually solder multiple tiny wires to the SPI LCD, and wired it according to this extremely useful thread viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2312&hilit=spi+lcd and a lot of trial and error. The button PCB was made using copper tape and an empty PCB i had laying around, which I cut up using a dremel. Overall, my mintyPi still needs some work - a new battery (the current one is slightly too thick and doesn't let the mintyPi close correctly) and sound, since I managed to break my sound card). This is the exact screen I ordered - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CNBTR-2-4-inc ... 2252081096, although the same LCD can be found cheaper on AliExpress. I would only recommend this for people with a good temperature controlled soldering iron (I use the Hakko FX888D) and a bit of experience soldering, and a lot of patience. Even though I managed to get it working in the end, it was extremely difficult, given the pin pitch. I'm pretty sure the screen I used is identical to the one in the set Helder is selling. I think most people would be better off saving a lot of time and effort and buying the kit from Helder. Here are some images (excuse the messy build).

[Camble]

Nice job! Good to see more DIY stuff

[Holydohnut]

Nice one! I'm making a custom 2.2 with a PCB chopped up from a dslite. Good to see how others are rocking the diy builds!

[AnotherUsername]

Really well done! I'm working on my own DIY mintyPis and I was wondering if you could solder directly to the flex cable on those since the PCB it comes on doesn't fit. I was wondering how else to pull off the button PCB. I've been using old graphing calculators and copper tape which is super hit or miss.

I was also having issues with the wiring, especially for the screen since the non-flex cable doesn't like, well, flexing... I ended up taking an old 80 pin CD drive ribbon cable and split it into 9 wire strands. It worked well for me but I'm using it on 2.2" screens wired to the PCB not to the screen itself.

All that said, I totally agree. Tons of work and frustration trying to do this without Helder's parts, and I never would have figured it out if it wasn't for all the great info they post.

[moosepr]

Glad you found my guide useful! Soldering wires direct into the ribbon is pretty bad ass! 0.8mm pitch on plastic

[dawidziaja]

Glad you found my guide useful! Soldering wires direct into the ribbon is pretty bad ass! 0.8mm pitch on plastic

I still don't know how I managed to pull it off! I kept getting shorts between pins and even slightly ripped the ribbon cable at one point, but eventually I got it working. Next time, I would definitely consider ordering or making a little breakout PCB.

[moosepr]

There is one mentioned in my guide somewhat. Needs redesigning for 18 pins, but you can overhang the touch pins and it's fine

https://oshpark.com/projects/BP9tGKag