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And Now My Game Boy Zero Build(s)...
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 1:52 pm
by dominator
It's been 2 weeks since I decided to build a GBZ. I was going to build a 3d printed BMO from Adventure Time, but after getting some expensive printing quotes, I settled on building an original Game Boy. I am using new parts, as so far I have unable to buy a broken Gameboy.
Progress has been slow, but you have to start somewhere!:
I received the case:

It's a start, though it has the wrong colour printing and some silver paint on the cover. i have ordered another case in red.
The powerboard i will be using:

I suppose it is possible to have a usb port on the side and connect it to the hub and this power board as well. Can anyone confirm this?
Cheap usb hub looks easy to cut down:
Do not buy this hub as it doesn't work with the Zero:
Next job is to enlarge the screen suround and drill the extra buttons, gulp!
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 2:09 pm
by DirtyBullets
dominator wrote:I suppose it is possible to have a usb port on the side and connect it to the hub and this power board as well. Can anyone confirm this
Yes its possible as you can power many things from this if the hub uses external power source then you may need to look for another one that gets power from the device,
is that board from a power bank?
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2016 2:33 pm
by dominator
DirtyBullets wrote:
Yes its possible as you can power many things from this if the hub uses external power source then you may need to look for another one that gets power from the device,
is that board from a power bank?
Yes i think it is from a power bank. It is the one that Wermy suggested in the Wiki. Looks like you have to have 2 usbs on the side with this power board.
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2016 8:45 am
by dominator
I cut the screen surround with a dremel;

One thing I noticed - either mark the plastic or scribe a line(cut) through the tape, as the plastic is softer than the tape!!
And another thing is that the black colour shows up every mark!
I used a straight piece of metal as a guide to try and keep the line straight.

I used a scapel and scraped off the print on a screen surround, with mixed results. I think it can be saved with a bit of polishing.
I still might need to remove more plastic from the case, as I don't have a screen to check the size.
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2016 3:08 pm
by Kilren
Looking good Dom! It is addicting isn't it?!
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 10:04 am
by dominator
So far I have mostly been...
destroying a set of buttons:

I didn't like the colour of the buttons, they were a orange/red, instead of red. So I tried to dye them and bought some red dye. The dye didn't take to the plastic, so I tried it with acetone...That is why they are milky. So I'm going to buy some clear ones and either paint or led them.
Also my cheapo usb hub stopped working. Time to find another one.
I tried out my new button pcb:

I wired it to the cheapo nes controller to test it. The wires lead off diagonally, as that is where I think the teensy will go (not that I have bought one yet).

Success!!
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Sun Jun 12, 2016 10:48 am
by dominator
I clearanced the case some more for the screen (not that it's turned up yet, still waiting!)

It shows up my stretched and wobbly sticker
And I realised that I had made the button template wrong as there is a 1mm difference between some button pcb's (kitsch bent x y buttons are 17mm, Helders is 16mm). I am making another sticky template, it's a good job I realised before drilling the hole.
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:02 am
by dominator
At last! I have a screen now

Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2016 8:35 am
by Fleder
dominator wrote:...I was going to build a 3d printed BMO from Adventure Time, ...
Just read that now. Please tell me you will do this after you finished your GBZ. I would love to see BMO come to life

A GBZ with BMOs case would be awesome.
Re: And Now My Game Boy Zero Build...
Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:01 am
by yousai
Fleder wrote:I would love to see BMO come to life

A GBZ with BMOs case would be awesome.
Hey it's been done before
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:697480