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My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:56 am
by DeRock89
I want this post to be a log of my build and to share it with you guys for inspiration. Ive been frustrated with trying to find documentation of builds using a Pi3, especially without chopping it all up. Hopefully I can document my build for the sake of anyone else wanting to try it this way. Maybe it sounds silly to most, but I love Pis and the thought of chopping it all up and desoldering a bunch of stuff feels like cutting the roof off of a car with a cutting torch to make a convertible....

I am also not using any AIO board. I would love to use one of those awesome looking boards, but I didn't want to wait for any to become available. Plus im looking at this first build as a learning experience. Im hoping this will be like a prototype for building one each for my kids.
In hind sight, I probably will end up butchering the Pi3 to build theirs though, for the sake of keeping the outside cleaner...

My build isnt finished, but I want to share what I have so far. Also, Maybe I can get some feedback with issues and input with ideas moving forward.

Im using an original Grey DMG-01 case(For my own personal nostalgia)
BW Variant 9 Screen from Amazon
Pi3 Of course
Leonardo Microcontroller
Two PSP 1000 Joysticks
Kitsch-Bent "Easy Amp Mono"
GBA Speaker
PowerBoost 1000c
2500Mah Battery from Adafruit
Im still waiting on Cambles Safe Shutdown to Arrive.

Pictures: I want to make sure I include plenty of pictures of the inside. Ive been frustrated trying to find pictures of the insides of other peoples builds so I could get Ideas for fitting parts. Things im still trying to figure out:
1) The screen is blurry and slightly flickering
2)Sound wiring(I cant find any documentation on the "easy amp Mono" from Kitsch-Bent on how to wire it)
3)Im trying to figure out how to fit the battery in it without modifying the mess out of the battery compartment.

I didn't really have high expectations for the screen video quality, but my video quality isnt as good as other peoples that are using the same screen from the pictures I have seen on here. There is also some slight flickering. I figure that there is some issue to work out here.
Here is some pictures of this. Here is my wiring and screen mod. I wanted to be able to separate the halves of the Gameboy so I have made plugs for everything. I also wanted to modify the Pi3 as little as possible. I used a shielded wire for video like suggested. I also bridged the ground from PP6 to PP5 like someone on here suggested. These things helped to video quality very little.
Anyone know how to wire the Kitsch-Bent Easy Amp Mono?

Also, The control board on the battery, I noticed it is somewhat flexible. Can I bend this to the side in order to fit it in the battery compartment without modifying the compartment?

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 9:28 am
by Robochris
Looks great so far! I'm interested to see the battery life on it with the pi 3.

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:12 pm
by VeteranGamer
DeRock89 wrote:
Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:56 am

Image
good build (top job)


your the second person i've seen recently rocking the screen bezal you have (with the raspberry pi logo)

where did you get it from....


.

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:18 pm
by DeRock89
VeteranGamer wrote:
Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:12 pm
DeRock89 wrote:
Thu Sep 21, 2017 7:56 am

Image
good build (top job)


your the second person i've seen recently rocking the screen bezal you have (with the raspberry pi logo)

where did you get it from....


.
Thank you!

I got it from Hand Held Legends.
https://handheldlegend.com/collections/ ... ass-screen

Ive followed your Builds too and gathered lots of info on screens from your posts that has helped me out.

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 5:49 pm
by DeRock89
I just tested sound by directly connecting the easy mono AMP A+ and A- to PP25 and PP26. The volume is really low output in my opinion. I can barely hear it. there is also a good but of noticeable white noise in the sound. No use in adding a volume wheel... any lower, and the sound is off...

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 8:42 pm
by rodocop
DeRock89 wrote:
Thu Sep 21, 2017 1:18 pm

Thank you!

I got it from Hand Held Legends.
https://handheldlegend.com/collections/ ... ass-screen
I've just bought a few of those screen covers. Glad to see they look good. Excited to get started on my next few builds.

Your build looks great too!

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2017 10:40 pm
by jb32647
That's a nice looking build! I am also making one without modifying the Pi3, and I see we have a very different design philosophy.

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2017 1:30 am
by vnman
I had the same screen issues, turned out the interference came from the self made power strip.

Re: My First GB(Using an Intact Pi3)

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 3:03 pm
by Mr. Breaker_
Really a nice build!

I was also wondering if a Pi 3 wouldn't fit in one piece. So nice to see what you have done.

The flickering from your screen is most likely due to the fact that you still have to remove the voltage step down chip (you have left it on the board), but if you modify it like this (see mine), there's no more flickering (also move to power wire one pin down):
Image

See also:
http://www.sudomod.com/wiki/index.php?t ... t-9_5V.jpg

Best Regards,

Mr. Breaker