Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: grippie on October 27, 2016, 12:43:02 am
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I thought my portable game gear project was fun, and even though i have an HDMI out on it, i really want to use actual arcade controls for games on my TV.
I initially had plans for a 6600 mah battery to power the Pi so that there would be one less cable coming out of the box, but i am putting that on hold for now. I can easily route the power in to a powerboost and then attach that to a battery in the future.
parts list to buy:
sanwa JLF joystick
bright red ball top
sanwa 30mm buttons x 6
sanwa 24mm buttons x 4
Raspberry Pi 3. I have a pi 2, but i wanted to have the fastest interface and be able to play the most games.
HDMI and USB pass-through
power input. I want to use a barrel jack rather than USB to input power. This will give it a more consumer electronics feel.
1/4 inch mdf sheet 2 x 4
1/2 inch mdf sheet 2 x 4
11 x 14 acrylic sheet x .093 inches thick
here was my initial concept drawing and I've pretty much kept everything the same. I probably don't need 4 admin buttons but i like the symmetry.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352359;image)
inside you can see the
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352357;image)
after screwing up the squareness of the box the first time i found a youtube video to do this little trick for 45 degree miter cuts. use painting tape (frog tape) to create hinges so that when you glue and then fold up the 4 sides you get a perfect edge. the blue tape here helps to trap any glue that squirts out. nice and clean
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352363;image)
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Clean edges to start with
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352365;image)
Tape the last edge and let dry
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352367;image)
To make everything removable, i added insert nuts
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352361;image)
the bottom has a small compartment to hold the HDMI cord and charging cable. Here i'm adding some extra meat to be able to screw in the metal plates for the magnet latches.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352355;image)
Acrylic kinda sucks :( well i was basically going up in drill size too fast and it cracked horribly. I went up to Home Depot and got another 11 x 14 sheet which is luckily only 5 bucks. This time i went a lot slower and used my router to cut the holes in the acrylic using the support sheet as a template. (even though my template slipped on the first hole so it's elongated. Oh well it's covered up. i used a plunge cut to create a clean hole and then used my flush trim bit to open up the holes to match the wood. i'll post pics tomorrow of the more completed states.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352353;image)
Currently i have everything all cut up and installed expect for the final magnet latch since i need smaller screws.
Here is a fist test for everything.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352401;image)
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I found an HDMI and USB combo cable. I had trouble finding an hdmi that i could wire up, or use as a pass-through. There are some out there but for those prices i got this cable that i can just plug into the PI
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352371;image)
the Pi 3 packaging is awesome.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352375;image)
I based all of the measurements and cutting on the actual plexi sheet. it turned to be about slightly larger than 11 x 14 but this was a way to reduce the complexity and cutting of plexi. (although once i broke the first one i could have just made one to fit. oh well.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352369;image)
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I was thinking about doing this same project. The power issue was the only thing that I didn't like. For mine I was going to just power it off of USB with the end of cable being a male USB-a connection to either be powered off of the tv's USB power or to a USB based power supply. I also planned on making a player 2 version that would connect via an RJ45 cable and a nuetrik RJ45 jack that would then connect to the gpio ports of the pi.
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To avoid this
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352353;image)
Invest in one of these to start you acrylic holes, they are awesome and these things never crack your acrylic.
(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_11761.jpg)
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Thanks, I was looking at trying step down bits. Ill have to see if i can add one to my arsenal.
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I was thinking about doing this same project. The power issue was the only thing that I didn't like. For mine I was going to just power it off of USB with the end of cable being a male USB-a connection to either be powered off of the tv's USB power or to a USB based power supply. I also planned on making a player 2 version that would connect via an RJ45 cable and a nuetrik RJ45 jack that would then connect to the gpio ports of the pi.
I have a long barrel jack to usb cable. I can either plug it into the TV or use the small adapter that I bought to plug into the barrel Jack for wall power. Should work out really great and be very versatile.
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I've finished test fitting everything. Now i will have to complete the painting so that will take days. I'll post again when the paint is looking good.
Power plug
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352613;image)
I bought some cheap heat sinks that had good reviews. i know these don't do a whole lot but if it helps the pi from throttling down when getting too hot then it should be worth it.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352611;image)
Test fit
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352615;image)
small hole on the right is for power. i got a combo hdmi/usb just for simplicity. it's mainly for setup and using a second game pad.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=149895.0;attach=352609;image)
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Nice project! :cheers: