@petrockblog @fireraisr so, I just reinstalled retropie for the umpteen-millionth time, and control block is no longer recognizing my d-pad with the latest config. I am about to go the USB route, but it would muck up the presentation of the SNES game pads from the SNES itself. Any ideas?
Edited to add: just ran justest /dev/input/js1 (where it recognizes the SNES controller) and the only button it recognizes is the B button. I know this is wired correctly and that all the wiring is still properly connected (just tested with multimeter to be sure). SPI is enabled, I have updated, and rebooted multiple times.
Final edit- I am an idiot- forgot to edit /etc/controlblock.cfg to uncomment sees. ::face palm:: Everything is back in order. Mahalo!

@darkav map both players coin buttons together there are games where the players have to add coins to their own slots. It kept people from stealing credits

@zeus same here. my new board just came in, but haven't had a chance to test it out!

You might find the information that you are looking for in the post at https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/2183/powerblock-dimensions-how-high-is-the-micro-usb-port/3.

I had the same problem - controls working in every other emulator except SNES. I checked the config folder for SNES and 1 of the CFG files (not sure if it was emulators or retroarch) was 0 KB - I deleted it reboot the pi and it remade a new CFG file - hey presto controls now working. :-)

Glad to hear that you are making progress!

@bengoodson The amp can go anywhere!

Update: I fully tested everything on my list above and they work perfectly. You can use 11mm, 7/16", and 12mm between the rPi and PowerBlock.

Unfortunately, I can't edit that post to reflect this. :-)

@suprjami

People who hate polyfuses either desolder them and replace them with a bridge or large 0-ohm resistor, or just bridge over the top of them like this: http://raspi.tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/polyfuse.jpg

Apparently they don't even like them enough to bypass them with a decent solder joint. ;)

Yes - the ControlBlock has the PowerBlock functionalities built in.

@GtBFilms I got my powerblock yesterday and I set it up. Works perfect. :)

Aha now I see - the diagram

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states 5V. Sorry for the confusion. That diagram is not 100% correct: The controllers work also work with 3.3V and the ControlBlock follows this approach for safety reasons. The GPIOs of the Raspberry are also providing a 3.3V level, higher voltages might brick the GPIOs.

@Synopsis ;)

Brilliant! Thank you very much for the help. Looks like I'm ordering up a Controlblock!

Cheers,

Abby

Hello Shawn, sorry for this late reply - I had some family duties in the recent weeks, but things are becoming more relaxed ever day now.

If you configure the ControlBlock for SNES controllers. You should be able to going back and forth between SNES and NES controllers on the same connector. Actually, I built a NES-SNES-Adapter myself some time ago in the same way as you described above.

The GPIO schematics have always been in Supplementary Downloads on the official website:

http://blog.petrockblock.com/supplementary-downloads/retropie-gpio-adapter-schematics/

A parts list and explanation of the circuit is on the blog post announcing the adapter:

http://blog.petrockblock.com/2012/10/21/the-retropie-gpio-adapter/

Here is a higher quality image of the board:

http://blog.petrockblock.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/P1010401_small.jpg

AIUI the GPIO adapter is out of stock because it's been superseded by the ControlBlock:

http://blog.petrockblock.com/gadgets/controlblock-power-switch-game-controllers-and-io-for-the-raspberry-pi/

Glad that you found it already yourself.

Good idea to integrate the installation into RetroPie! I put this on my to-do list.

What exactly does not work? The power switch function or the game controller function or both?

Sorry that I did not answer in time. I am glad that you figured it out yourself! The "5V out" pins are exactly meant for applications like yours :-)