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Author Topic: The LunchBox  (Read 4527 times)

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Richie_jones

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The LunchBox
« on: October 15, 2020, 04:35:08 pm »
This project was inspired by my love of my 80`s pacman lunchbox i owned as a kid.

I thought it would be a good idea to put a pi inside one as an arcade machine.

Unfortunately you`d have to sell an arm to get an original decent one with no rust..  Then if i paid a fortune for it i wouldn't want to cut it open to shoe horn a PI inside.



So in my search for the ultimate cheap pac man box i stumbled on these from amazon...



Same size as original 80`s pacman lunch box..

I didn't take to many pictures of the build as it was more of as test really to see how things would fit using a spare PI 3b i had lying around and an 8inch screen

So i ended up with this..





I learnt a few things along the way and made a few mistakes. 

Anyhow the point of this post is i`ve now purchased the Defender version of the lunch tin..



and i`m documenting the process with loads of photos, if you like to see a detailed build let me know and ill update this post with where im up to.....

Heres a sneak peek at the control panel...



This one will have a better quality screen 8 inch 4:3, rgb buttons, and Pi 4.....









DaOld Man

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2020, 06:50:10 pm »
Good idea and good work.
Would it be possible to make the joystick retractable (down) so you could close the lid?

JDFan

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2020, 06:57:10 pm »
Good idea and good work.
Would it be possible to make the joystick retractable (down) so you could close the lid?

Pretty sure he is already using one of the Link removeable Shafts ( http://shoryuken.com/2017/03/22/shoryuken-review-phreakmods-the-link-removable-shaft-for-the-sanwa-jlf-joystick/ ) - SO you remove the shaft/balltop and store so the box can already close !
« Last Edit: October 15, 2020, 07:01:15 pm by JDFan »

DaOld Man

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2020, 06:59:48 pm »

Pretty sure he is already using one of the Link ( http://shoryuken.com/2017/03/22/shoryuken-review-phreakmods-the-link-removable-shaft-for-the-sanwa-jlf-joystick/ ) removeable shaft sticks - SO you remove the shaft/balltop and store so the box can already close !

That'll work.

meyer980

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #4 on: October 15, 2020, 07:10:31 pm »
That's a very clean piece of work, what a fun idea.

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #5 on: October 16, 2020, 02:58:32 am »
Yes sorry joystick is removable and lid closes as normal. Shaft stores inside a modified 15mm plumbing fitting shown below thats mounted inside. 
Its a removable shaft for a swana that I purchased from alibabba.


« Last Edit: October 16, 2020, 03:17:41 am by Richie_jones »

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2020, 03:15:34 am »


« Last Edit: October 16, 2020, 03:17:23 am by Richie_jones »

DaOld Man

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2020, 07:01:36 am »
Very neat idea! I may have to build a few of these for the grandkids.
Will follow your build procedures.

javeryh

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #8 on: October 16, 2020, 09:29:09 am »
This is really cool - how did you get the screen to stay at the right angle?

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2020, 03:49:14 pm »
This is really cool - how did you get the screen to stay at the right angle?
I've riveted some very stiff tap washers to the middle of upgraded hinges. The top section of the washer is then flattened slightly to adjust the angle, until happy with the viewing angle.
Pretty strong and hardly noticeable when lid is closed. Removes the need for a piece of chain or other mechanism on the front to stop it opening to far.
The ribbon cable for the screen just moves up and down slightly when opened and shut with little stress on the cable...


Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk


Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2020, 12:58:18 pm »
Storage of the shaft when shut.  Next to carry handle..


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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2020, 06:39:05 am »
Not logged in here for a long while but had to comment on this, such a great little idea. I've been keen for a while to build other small machine, ideally something portable and this has got me thinking.

A couple of thoughts

* Move what I'm guessing is the volume knob from the bottom of the lunchbox to the control panel inside, using a flat(ish) dial/knob.
* Add an extra set of feet/tap washers to the base so the lunchbox and be stored upright with the top set also working as the screen stay.
* Is the fan actually needed? if not relocate the speaker there to keep another side clean.
* Any opportunity to put a battery pack in the box to power the pi and screen, evening if only for an hour so it becomes fully portable?
* The ribbon cable could probably do with some protection to prevent rub on opening and closing.

Look forward to seeing more!

UnclearHermit

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2020, 05:48:00 pm »
Really nice.  Would definitely like to see a build thread for your Defender one.

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #13 on: October 24, 2020, 09:58:10 am »
Not logged in here for a long while but had to comment on this, such a great little idea. I've been keen for a while to build other small machine, ideally something portable and this has got me thinking.

A couple of thoughts

* Move what I'm guessing is the volume knob from the bottom of the lunchbox to the control panel inside, using a flat(ish) dial/knob.
* Add an extra set of feet/tap washers to the base so the lunchbox and be stored upright with the top set also working as the screen stay.
* Is the fan actually needed? if not relocate the speaker there to keep another side clean.
* Any opportunity to put a battery pack in the box to power the pi and screen, evening if only for an hour so it becomes fully portable?
* The ribbon cable could probably do with some protection to prevent rub on opening and closing.

Look forward to seeing more!

thanks for the comments:-

Agree the volume knob works better elsewhere.  The defender cab has it mounted on the front.  It would have to be a pretty thin control if mounted on the CP.  The buttons are only 3mm high. 
The fan i`m not to sure about but yes could go on the rear also..The screen pcp would block a lot of the airflow though.  Can`t move this pcb as its attached to the screen ribbon cable.

Battery planned for Mk3, the dc/dc buck voltage pcb im using also has charge circuitry for battery management.


stigzler

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #14 on: October 24, 2020, 05:09:11 pm »
Fab project - very original and well realised. But can you keep a fish paste sandwich in it?

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #15 on: November 04, 2020, 11:37:37 am »
Anybody on here offer artwork design service?

Ignore that just found the retail section
« Last Edit: November 04, 2020, 11:42:01 am by Richie_jones »

nitrogen_widget

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #16 on: November 04, 2020, 07:32:54 pm »
what screen are you using?

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #17 on: November 06, 2020, 03:40:23 pm »
what screen are you using?
Its an 8inch 800x600. Sorry don't know the exact make but its not the pimorini one. The ribbon cable on their 8inch screen won't work on this build..

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mgb

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2020, 09:58:33 am »
It's been a good number of years since I've really been on here and looked through the projects.
 Figured I'd stop in and see what kinda level the current projects are at.
Then I see this project along with a few other well executed projects and I realize that things have only gotten better & more creative.
Very well done.

Richie_jones

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Re: The LunchBox
« Reply #19 on: January 07, 2021, 11:33:38 pm »
Very neat idea! I may have to build a few of these for the grandkids.
Will follow your build procedures.
It's been a good number of years since I've really been on here and looked through the projects.
 Figured I'd stop in and see what kinda level the current projects are at.
Then I see this project along with a few other well executed projects and I realize that things have only gotten better & more creative.
Very well done.
Thanks it was a fun project...

Heres a video link showing it working..