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gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 7:57 pm
by Kenshin16
This weekend I started making a gameboy zero, but using a raspberry pi 3 instead. I got the screen to work, the controller to work with 2 joysticks and A,B,X,Y L1, L2, R1, R2, directional pad and start, select. It all works. The only problem I'm currently having is i get the lightening bolt in the top right corner OCCASIONALLY. Its not a constant on. I tried loading roms on with a USB stick, and half way through it, my whole system just shuts down. Before it shut down, the lightening bolt appeared. And same thing with trying to download the dreamcast emulator. It just shut down. Now i know the lightening bolt is a voltage problem, but i cant figure out where its coming from. Hopefully someone can direct me in the right direction.

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:21 pm
by firestw152
Kenshin16 wrote:
Mon Oct 02, 2017 7:57 pm
This weekend I started making a gameboy zero, but using a raspberry pi 3 instead. I got the screen to work, the controller to work with 2 joysticks and A,B,X,Y L1, L2, R1, R2, directional pad and start, select. It all works. The only problem I'm currently having is i get the lightening bolt in the top right corner OCCASIONALLY. Its not a constant on. I tried loading roms on with a USB stick, and half way through it, my whole system just shuts down. Before it shut down, the lightening bolt appeared. And same thing with trying to download the dreamcast emulator. It just shut down. Now i know the lightening bolt is a voltage problem, but i cant figure out where its coming from. Hopefully someone can direct me in the right direction.
I know this is not an answer to your problem but I was wondering if you have a wiring diagram for your pi3 build? I am having a trouble wiring everything on mine. Also which powerboost are you using maybe I can try and help.

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:25 am
by salami738
Hi,

The lightning bolt appears when the pi detects a Brown out. Brown out is a period of time with a too low supply voltage.
When you put load on the raspberry CPU or gpu while loading or playing, it will draw more power.

You have to check the complete power path from the batteries to the raspi.
Most common issues are:
- too thin wiring (too much voltage drop in the wire)
- low battery charge
- defective powerboost

But we could profit from a wiring diagram to help you further...

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:09 pm
by Kenshin16
its hand draw, hopefully you guys can understand it.

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:21 pm
by firestw152
Kenshin16 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:09 pm
its hand draw, hopefully you guys can understand it.
how hot does your powerboost get? I had a problem that the 2 bottom leads on the power boost that is powering up the pi was not giving it enough power but when I moved it up to where you have the power strip connected the problem stopped.

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:53 pm
by Kenshin16
So you're say just switch the pi power leads with the leads of the power distributor?

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:58 pm
by Kenshin16
firestw152 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:21 pm
Kenshin16 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:09 pm
its hand draw, hopefully you guys can understand it.
how hot does your powerboost get? I had a problem that the 2 bottom leads on the power boost that is powering up the pi was not giving it enough power but when I moved it up to where you have the power strip connected the problem stopped.
I honestly have no idea. I haven't had it on for more than 10 minutes

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:23 pm
by firestw152
Kenshin16 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:53 pm
So you're say just switch the pi power leads with the leads of the power distributor?
yes that worked for me and it also brought down the temperature of my powerboost. Can't guarantee that it will fix the problem but can't hurt to try.

Also what gauge wire are you using?

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:08 pm
by Kenshin16
firestw152 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:23 pm
Kenshin16 wrote:
Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:53 pm
So you're say just switch the pi power leads with the leads of the power distributor?
yes that worked for me and it also brought down the temperature of my powerboost. Can't guarantee that it will fix the problem but can't hurt to try.

Also what gauge wire are you using?
I'm using 30 gauge wire for the buttons and 26 gauge for anything carrying power. And i did what you suggested, switching the leads, and so far it seems A-OK. haha. I haven't seen the voltage bolt in the corner. SWEET!!!

Re: gamey boy RPi3 power problems

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2017 6:18 pm
by Kenshin16
There's actually two other things I'm hoping i can get help with. One is I received my headphone jack today. I ordered it from amazon but its the adafruit headphone jack. The one I received is not the one pictured. The one pictured had 5 prongs on it and the one i received only has 3. Is it still possible to use this? And the second thing is, I tried to follow Sotasystems guide and wire up the status RGB LED and the battery monitor system but his guide isn't too clear. Any chance of help with that?