GBZ V3 Tinkerboy 1st build issues

[Robklobb]

Hi all, this is my 1st GBZ build, I decided to use the following list for this build as follows in a hope to reach a quick diagnosis.

Tinkerboy V3
DPI Adaptor
Powerboost1000
2 - CH Real Color 3.5 inch TFT LCD Display Monitor Module - https://www.gearbest.com/development-bo ... id=1433363
Micro USB micro-B Breakout Board
B103 Volume Wheel 10K Ohm 3Pin
tinkerBOY Speaker 4O2W
Helder 4500Mah Gameboy Zero Megabat Battery - https://galaxygaming.co.uk/shop/gameboy ... t-battery/

Whilst my soldering skills aren't perfect, nor is my understanding of electronics...however I think I've more or less done an acceptable job

Frontal External

1.JPG (3.02 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

And have worked by the Tinkerboy website and from various sources, V3 doesn't appear to have as much coverage as versions 1 & 2.

I assembled the screen side first, removed the module from the screen and connected the ribbon direct to DPI.
I did attempt to test this with the Powerboost attached and got a white screen display.

The rear of the case with Powerboost, Micro USB and Power switch all tested and works fine.
Battery power the Powerboost = Blue Light

Power from Battery attached to Powerboost - Excluding and connection to Tinkerboy

7.JPG (2.94 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Powerboost Connection to mains via Powerswitch = Yellow Charge light.

Power and Charge Battery & Mains attached to Powerboost - Excluding and connection to Tinkerboy

8.JPG (2.69 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

However as soon as I link the Power and GRD direct to the Tinkerboy, nothing works at all.

Wiring complete back and front but no power?

10.JPG (3.08 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Most likely overlooked something simple, any assistance would be massively received.

Power boost Wired

9.JPG (2.66 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Powerswitch, Micro USB

6.JPG (1.84 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Tinkerboy Wired

5.JPG (2.52 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

USB and Volume Wheel

4.JPG (2.86 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Speaker Connection

3.JPG (2.63 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Tinkerboy Connection

2.JPG (2.61 MiB) Viewed 7211 times

Thank you very much!

[tinkerBOY]

Hi Robklobb,

You're obviously using the old method of soldering the DPI Adapter(10th picture) but you forgot to cut/remove the pins/plastic of the 40-pin header. You have to do that and solder them so you can have a nice connection between the pi zero and the dpi adapter.

Looking at your 8th picture, some pins are not soldered nicely with the pi zero's pin holes. It looks like its just the tip of the pin were soldered. In order for the dpi adapter to work properly, all the pin holes on the pi should have a solid connection with it. You also did not solder the two holes below the fpc ribbon connector to the pi zero's data pins.

[Robklobb]

Hey thanks a lot tinkerBOY, that’s really helpful.
I’ve stripped my build back, followed all your directions on the DPI and Pi, just need to test it before assembling then will update my post.

[Robklobb]

Success!! I have stripped down and assembled with extra care ensuring that all areas pointed by 'tinkerBOY' were seen too.

IMG_1508.jpg (77.37 KiB) Viewed 7122 times

As you will see from my photos, the system loads through to EmulationStation...this is where I am asked to configure the buttons.
However none of the buttons seems to get a response...as if they are not connected.

IMG_1509.jpg (88.29 KiB) Viewed 7122 times

Any suggestions are welcome to get some form of recognition/connection.

IMG_1529.jpg (110.58 KiB) Viewed 7122 times

Also the USB is not responding, as far as I know I have connected correctly to the AIO.

Thank you kindly.

[VeteranGamer]

you might need to put some solder down those two holes...
That’s where the contacts/test points are for the USB port





from here they look bare (bone dry)....


Not sure of Tinkerboy provides proper diagrams for his boards...
But moving forward (just a suggestion) maybe it’s worth labelling the PCB...





.

[Robklobb]

you might need to put some solder down those two holes...
That’s where the contacts/test points are for the USB port





from here they look bare (bone dry)....


Not sure of Tinkerboy provides proper diagrams for his boards...
But moving forward (just a suggestion) maybe it’s worth labelling the PCB...





.

Thanks for your comments.
I have added the solder....but still no joy.

[rodocop]

confirm you have continuity from the little holes on the DPI PCB (D+ and D-) all the way to the the main PCB. and make sure D+ and D- have no continuity with each other. Under those holes on the DPI board, the pi has two pads that are quite close together and easy to bridge. Also, shorten the data wires as much as possible too.

[VeteranGamer]

Thanks for your comments.
I have added the solder....but still no joy.

try reflowing the solder, and to make sure you have proper contact...
and vitally that you haven't bridged anything (check continuity)


worst case scenario....

as you have access to the micro usb port on the RPi
just get something like this



https://www.aliexpress.com/item/GS-2pcs ... 4c4dZNuBEq


and just wire it up directly to the RPi




.

[PetarHolland]

I'm building my own tinkerboy 3 GBZ, it's my first build as well... Where did you find the powerboost 1000 wiring??
can i use the following wiring?

edited with my wiring diagram

And thanks for the suggestion

[infinitLoop]

I'm building my own tinkerboy 3 GBZ, it's my first build as well... Where did you find the powerboost 1000 wiring??
can i use the following wiring?

edited with my wiring diagram

And thanks for the suggestion

his doesn't have the safe shutdown, just a switch to the en(gage) pin to cut the power. your diagram is correct for wiring the power with the safe shutdown switch.