Cheap DIY Button PCB

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desoudius3
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Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by desoudius3 » Thu May 18, 2017 1:37 am

I didnt want to pay 10€ or more for a custom button PCB so i came up with my own solution.
And it get this simple satisfaction by DIYing or comming up with such sollutions.
I am centanly not the first one doing it like this, but wanted to show you how i did.

I used the same method for the front buttons, but forgot to take pictures, so ill show u the backside.

Parts list:

- cheap SNES USB controller https://goo.gl/F1uSgh
- PCB
- some wires
- M3 screws
- soldering iron and solder
- a drill mashine or dremel

My X Y L1 L2 buttons are on the backside to stay with the stock look in the front, and i mounted them in the battery cover, so it can easily be reversed by relacing it, without leaving permanent damage on the Game Boy case.
I choosed the SNES controller for its button layout, and to reuse the buttons and the rubber contact thingy.
After hotglueing it to the battery cover, to use it as tempelate, i drilled the corresponding holes till the buttons hat a decent fitt.
Image
Image

Then i mounted M3 screws with superglue after removing the little walls on the backside of the battery cover.
The screws allowed me to mount the PCB without it sliding all over the place, and mark my contact points with a pen, thrugh the holes.
Image

Here is a simple scematic for 4 buttons with common Ground.
Image


The soldering job:
1. Wire up PCB (hold the cables in place with duct tape)
2. Solder the wires on the board
3. Enlarge your contact surface by spreading solder over several solder points (i used 3 points for one contact)
Image

4. File down the solder joints, till it is smooth. At the end you can barrely feel them.
!! Dont exaggerate or the solder will get to thin or break and loose contact !!
Image
Image

When finished, just screw the PCB to the cover with the buttons and the rubber contact thingy.
This works with TEENSY and GPIO.
Image
Image

Please leave a comment if you have a better way or just an idea to improove my design.

inches
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by inches » Thu May 18, 2017 5:00 pm

I like your ingenuity!
Your next build should include a Compute Module 3! Sign-up to be notified about the CeMu Partner Pre-Order:
http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3148


My Compute Module 3 build [Update 1-5] http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3003

My Compute Module 3 build [Update 6+] http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 00&p=33219

My guide to Soldering kits http://www.sudomod.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=3024

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ShadowFax
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by ShadowFax » Thu May 18, 2017 5:26 pm

Hey, that is one nice idea..!
Thanks for sharing, I might use it on my next build..

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Mikethesith200
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by Mikethesith200 » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:38 pm

I love you. Lol. Been looking for a way to do this.

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Mikethesith200
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by Mikethesith200 » Tue Jun 27, 2017 9:46 pm

I need to do this with a d pad and 2 action buttons

Baconbomb80
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by Baconbomb80 » Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:21 pm

Wouldn't it be easier to use a pcb with rows instead of islands?

desoudius3
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by desoudius3 » Sat Jul 29, 2017 3:29 pm

Baconbomb80 wrote:
Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:21 pm
Wouldn't it be easier to use a pcb with rows instead of islands?
Yes but i couldnt find a cheap one on ebay, and i allready had lying them around. But you are certanly right, this would be much easyer with rows. leave a link if you find some on ebay.

Baconbomb80
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Re: Cheap DIY Button PCB

Post by Baconbomb80 » Tue Aug 01, 2017 1:39 am

I searched for them on ebay and other kines seller sites but can't find them.
I ended up just buying them from my local store. They are not that expensive and you get them the same day :)

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