Well that stinks. I was looking forward to adding the shoulder buttons too but I guess I can't have everything. I already purchased the custom cartridge pcb so I guess thats what I'm doing. Thanks anywaysPopcorn wrote:If you look at the photos from my build, I have the same shoulder buttons and with the conductive nubs and the PCB button boards (which I still need to attach), the cartridge slot will not fit with all of this.Rod2D2 wrote:@Chiz do you or anyone on this thread know if the shoulder trigger buttons will still fit if we still use the pi zero and the original cartridge reader? It seems the cartrige reader will fill up a large area where the triggers would cross.
I don't think I have seen anyone use the cartridge reader and the trigger buttons.
chiz's GB Pi2
- Rod2D2
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
- Fleder
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
You could walk a new road and shorten the cartridge, then it would fit again.Rod2D2 wrote:Well that stinks. I was looking forward to adding the shoulder buttons too but I guess I can't have everything. I already purchased the custom cartridge pcb so I guess thats what I'm doing. Thanks anyways
From the pictures i think you do not need the whole height of the cartridge.
I wuld do the same, but i just don't have enough space left with my displayboard.
Re: chiz's GB Pi2
Hi everyone. Sorry for the long silence. We're going through some major life changes right now (i.e., apartment move, Visa situation, etc.) and depending on the outcome would mean whether or not I could continue with the GB Pi2 project and all other personal projects that I'm working on.
... but the worse is over and I'm glad that I can resume with the GB Pi2 project. We have our things packed, ready for an apartment move so I have all the GB Pi2 materials packed as well. I'll probably still have some opportunity to progress the work until that actual move, which everyone knows sucks.
Anyways, I'll try to address one by one the recent posts in the thread.
Apologies for not progressing at the moment but I will have some time now to continue. I'll probably be able to post some progress this coming weekend.
Yes, @Retrohead95 is correct. The full sized cart will not fit with the shoulder buttons taking a large space. However, if I want the cartridge reader added, I'll do what @Fleder suggested -- shorten the cartridge lie the height of the Gameboy Advance cartridges which is roughly half the height of the DMG-01 cartridges.
The problem with the "octopus hub", is the wire colors are swapped so it's a bit confusing. That's why I always take pics of the boards before a de-solder or cut the wires so it would be easier when I solder them back.
@Zeke2040
Glad you have it working
When I was using a slightly bigger micro speaker (taken from a headphone), even without an amp, the sound goes loud as 50+ decibels which is loud in a quiet room. Unfortunately, the headphone speaker is slightly wider and will not fit the original speaker cavity. When using the default GB speaker, with just the USB DAC, the sound is very soft. I might use an amp in the end if I cannot find a higher watt speaker that will fit.
Regarding the pot, I have not wired it yet as I've not progressed much in a week.
@Popcorn
I think you can still use the cart if you really want to. You will just need to shorten the cart or perhaps use a GBA cart instead. I know the old GBA carts can be inserted in the GBA but I will try using a GBA cart into the original DMG-01 slot.
Great minds think alike!
... but the worse is over and I'm glad that I can resume with the GB Pi2 project. We have our things packed, ready for an apartment move so I have all the GB Pi2 materials packed as well. I'll probably still have some opportunity to progress the work until that actual move, which everyone knows sucks.

Anyways, I'll try to address one by one the recent posts in the thread.
@Aiolia33FrAiolia33Fr wrote:Hi Chiz,
I hope you could find time to show us your progress.
Your GB Pi2 is the main source of inspiration for me (cut Pi2, triggers, screen protector...).
I m not electronician but I progress with all the community.
Thanks.
Apologies for not progressing at the moment but I will have some time now to continue. I'll probably be able to post some progress this coming weekend.
@Rod2D2Rod2D2 wrote:@Chiz do you or anyone on this thread know if the shoulder trigger buttons will still fit if we still use the pi zero and the original cartridge reader? It seems the cartrige reader will fill up a large area where the triggers would cross.
I don't think I have seen anyone use the cartridge reader and the trigger buttons.
Yes, @Retrohead95 is correct. The full sized cart will not fit with the shoulder buttons taking a large space. However, if I want the cartridge reader added, I'll do what @Fleder suggested -- shorten the cartridge lie the height of the Gameboy Advance cartridges which is roughly half the height of the DMG-01 cartridges.
@PopcornPopcorn wrote:Pro tip: If you buy that octopus USB hub that Chiz grabbed, whatever you do, DO NOT remove the existing cables. Cut the cables with a pair of wire cutters to expose all the wires and use those to solder. I was an idiot and desoldered everything off the board thinking I could resolder it back later. This has been the hardest part of the whole project for me to finely solder these wires back on. Dont' underestimate how hard this is. I spent 3 gruelling hours last night, and I only have 1 port functioning so far. Almost ready to just go buy a new one but I'm this far, I might as well keep going. Phew
The problem with the "octopus hub", is the wire colors are swapped so it's a bit confusing. That's why I always take pics of the boards before a de-solder or cut the wires so it would be easier when I solder them back.
@Zeke2040
Glad you have it working

@KilrenKilren wrote:@chiz
Going to pick your brain a little. I like your audio setup the most and following it, but I have a couple of questions.
Real quick: I am using the USB Audio >10k pot 5pin > audio jack 5pin > speaker
I am still trying to figure out the best wiring, but the disconnect headphone is working perfect. One question I have, are you using a pot and how did you wire it?
Most important question I have. You said that you didn't need an amp for the speaker because it was fairly loud on its own? I'm not getting that effect. It is mediocre at best, and if I was in a busy room I'd probably not hear it. Now, headphone jack volume is amazing. How loud would you say it actually was?
When I was using a slightly bigger micro speaker (taken from a headphone), even without an amp, the sound goes loud as 50+ decibels which is loud in a quiet room. Unfortunately, the headphone speaker is slightly wider and will not fit the original speaker cavity. When using the default GB speaker, with just the USB DAC, the sound is very soft. I might use an amp in the end if I cannot find a higher watt speaker that will fit.
Regarding the pot, I have not wired it yet as I've not progressed much in a week.
@Popcorn
I think you can still use the cart if you really want to. You will just need to shorten the cart or perhaps use a GBA cart instead. I know the old GBA carts can be inserted in the GBA but I will try using a GBA cart into the original DMG-01 slot.
@FlederFleder wrote:You could walk a new road and shorten the cartridge, then it would fit again.Rod2D2 wrote:Well that stinks. I was looking forward to adding the shoulder buttons too but I guess I can't have everything. I already purchased the custom cartridge pcb so I guess thats what I'm doing. Thanks anyways
From the pictures i think you do not need the whole height of the cartridge.
I wuld do the same, but i just don't have enough space left with my displayboard.
Great minds think alike!

- Fleder
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
Hey Chiz, good luck with your future plans and take your time to sort everything out.chiz wrote:Hi everyone. Sorry for the long silence. We're going through some major life changes right now (i.e., apartment move, Visa situation, etc.) and depending on the outcome would mean whether or not I could continue with the GB Pi2 project and all other personal projects that I'm working on.
I think we all hope to not lose you as a part of our community.
If i may help in any way, please tell me. Stay safe!
- dirtybeagles
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
Chiz man, take care and you will be missed until your return. I hope everything works out!
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
hello chiz!
i was actually following another pi project with a pi3! and i would like to change to your build! the one that i was making hade a 3d printed case and it wasn’t the same : P I prefer the old school looking
i have some questions about the project itself:
do you think we could add another pair of L R (L2 and R2) like you made for the L and R buttons. (so we can play psx !)
do you think we could use the custom PCB like this one to make more place inside the gameboy
http://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/co ... -y-version
here i post you the link of my old project http://imgur.com/a/gFhk7 i m really thinking in changing to yours, but i thing maybe you would get ideas from this one! waiting for your answer!
i was actually following another pi project with a pi3! and i would like to change to your build! the one that i was making hade a 3d printed case and it wasn’t the same : P I prefer the old school looking
i have some questions about the project itself:
do you think we could add another pair of L R (L2 and R2) like you made for the L and R buttons. (so we can play psx !)
do you think we could use the custom PCB like this one to make more place inside the gameboy
http://store.kitsch-bent.com/product/co ... -y-version
here i post you the link of my old project http://imgur.com/a/gFhk7 i m really thinking in changing to yours, but i thing maybe you would get ideas from this one! waiting for your answer!

- Kilren
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
Agreed. @chiz I hope all is well man! Good luck, talk to you soon.dirtybeagles wrote:Chiz man, take care and you will be missed until your return. I hope everything works out!
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Re: chiz's GB Pi2
Good luck with everything chiz. Quick question if you get chance to answer it. Im working on a second build and want to use snes triggers. Can i use the trigger boards from the snes and wire them directly to the teensy?
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