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    Pi in a Sega Genesis USB Hub Build

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Projects and Themes
    sega genesisgenesis usb hubbuildconsoleproject
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    • obsidianspiderO
      obsidianspider @hansolo77
      last edited by

      @hansolo77 There's not a whole lot to a file. You don't want a real coarse one since you'll be working on soft plastic. I'd suggest picking up a cheap one and practicing on some soft scrap plastic. I know you want to get this right, but don't over think the file itself. Practicing on junk plastic will teach you a lot.

      This is the file I used on my Super Famicom game with the screen in it and the Genesis hub. I don't even remember when I got it. It has to be 15 years old at least. (The green isn't a brand or anything, I just mark my tools with green electrical tape.)

      0_1481997120030_file-ruler.jpg

      📷 @obsidianspider

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • hansolo77H
        hansolo77
        last edited by

        So you think something like this isn't exactly what I need?
        http://www.harborfreight.com/12-piece-precision-needle-file-set-4614.html
        I should look more for something like these?
        http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-flat-file-96626.html
        http://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-tapered-file-96627.html

        Who's Scruffy Looking?

        obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • obsidianspiderO
          obsidianspider @hansolo77
          last edited by

          @hansolo77 If it were me, I'd get all three of those, because they're cheap, and you can never have too many tools. That said, I did mine with a flat file, so you don't need a fancy set, but it could be helpful in certain situations with weird corners and stuff. I already have a half-round files, but now that I know it exists I may pick up that 12-piece set the next time I'm near the Harbor Freight by my house. :)

          📷 @obsidianspider

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          • hansolo77H
            hansolo77
            last edited by

            Those needle ones are cheap (in price and quality). I mean, they're like the diameter of pencils, and not the fat ones you use in Kindergarten. When I took one out to feel it, etc, it was like I could snap it in half easily. I think I'll probably get the bigger ones. But before I do that, I might check out the toolbox in the basement. My dad my actually have a file in there.

            Who's Scruffy Looking?

            edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • edmaul69E
              edmaul69 @hansolo77
              last edited by edmaul69

              @hansolo77 the needle ones are what you really want. I have sets of the diamond and the regular files. You need those to do fine detail for small cuts. I recommend getting some. I bought my sets from ebay for cheap. But i have no regrets. Ever. If you only get one set get the ones without the diamond dust so you can do fine detail.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • mooseprM
                moosepr @hansolo77
                last edited by

                @hansolo77 if it were me, and your only buying one of the ones you spotted, I would go with the needle files.

                Sure they are small and feel fragile (all files can potentially shatter if you drop them) if you think of some of the sizes of things you will be working on, you will find the needle files more use. Plus if your using a dremel to get close to size anyway, you don't need anything rough

                On a side note, files only normally cut one way (pushing away from you) so the proper way is push the file on the material, then lift it off the material before pulling it back ready for another stroke. The only exception being diamond dust files, they work not like sandpaper

                want to get a tft into your project, look no further than here https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/7464/ili9341-tft-screen-guide

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • obsidianspiderO
                  obsidianspider
                  last edited by

                  I'm going to reclaim my thread from @hansolo77 for a bit. ;)

                  My Mausberry arrived yesterday and it looks like it's going to fit just fine. I'm going to have to remove the strain relief post entirely,but that's OK, there won't be a USB cable dangling outside the case anyway.

                  0_1482070280241_mausberry-ingenesis-mockup.jpg

                  I did notice that one resistor is a bit crooked on the board (above RST), but I'm assuming that Mausberry tested the circuit, so hopefully it's ok. If not, I'll try to fix it, but man, I always mess up SMT stuff, especially in close quarters.

                  0_1482070338482_mausberry-2pinsh.jpg

                  I'm going to try to get the Mausberry circuit mounted and the USB hub wiring re-routed today. I still am searching for a good power switch, so if things go well, I'll probably just use a spare light switch as a temporary way to control the Mausberry.

                  📷 @obsidianspider

                  mooseprM meyemindM 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                  • obsidianspiderO
                    obsidianspider
                    last edited by obsidianspider

                    After giving up on local shops and my spare electronics parts, I ordered a few of these SPST switches from Digi-Key this morning. Based on the technical drawing it has a ~3.6mm switch travel, so it should work really well for this application. Since minimum shipping was $3.40, I ordered a few switches to make it more worthwhile, and I'm sure I will have a use for them in the future. We'll see how quickly they arrive and if one actually fits.

                    0_1482074470021_GF-123-0054.JPG

                    📷 @obsidianspider

                    meyemindM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • mooseprM
                      moosepr @obsidianspider
                      last edited by

                      @obsidianspider that wonky component looks a little dicey. I guess if it works ok, then it should be fine. Speaking of smt soldering, I saw this the other day, could be handy

                      http://hackaday.com/2016/12/07/turn-cheap-usb-soldering-irons-in-to-tweezers/

                      Whenever I have had issues with smd, it has been because I couldn't heat both sides at the same time. You can also get special tips if your iron can take them

                      tip

                      want to get a tft into your project, look no further than here https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/7464/ili9341-tft-screen-guide

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • meyemindM
                        meyemind @obsidianspider
                        last edited by meyemind

                        @obsidianspider Is that a 2 or 3 pin switch? Thanks for the updates, keep it up! :) I had to buy 10 switches via Newegg.com, here is what I have coming for mine, I'm thinking to use the taller switch and shape it inside the plastic slider already there instead of replacing it.

                        UPDATE: I didn't realize these were 3 position switches, for this build a 2 position switch is the way to go!! (sorry)
                        alt text

                        obsidianspiderO edmaul69E 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • meyemindM
                          meyemind @obsidianspider
                          last edited by

                          @obsidianspider Hiya, can you talk about how you fastened the pi3 to the inside of the hub? Looks pretty clean and secure.

                          obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • obsidianspiderO
                            obsidianspider @meyemind
                            last edited by

                            Is that a 2 or 3 pin switch?

                            @meyemind It's a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) switch that looks like it has two pins on it, which is all I really need for this.

                            📷 @obsidianspider

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                            • edmaul69E
                              edmaul69 @meyemind
                              last edited by edmaul69

                              @meyemind i am planning on rounding the post and snuggly fitting the switch cover on it where its screw was. you might want to drill the screw hole on the fake switch cover bigger so the switch doesnt have to get sanded smaller. If a switch is hard to flip making the switch too small can make it snap off.

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                              • obsidianspiderO
                                obsidianspider @meyemind
                                last edited by

                                @meyemind said in Pi in a Sega Genesis USB Hub Build:

                                @obsidianspider Hiya, can you talk about how you fastened the pi3 to the inside of the hub? Looks pretty clean and secure.

                                I hot glued nuts to the bottom of the case on one side of the Pi. Unfortunately the riser hardware I had was M3, and the Pi is made for M2.5, so I had to drill out the holes a bit, but it works. If I was going to do it again I'd probably order some M2.5 screws and nuts.

                                0_1482079978189_genesis-bottom-mounting-nuts.jpg

                                I only glued them on one side because putting them on all four holes would have raised the Pi too high and my holes were already made in the case. Plugging and unplugging my cables a few times seems like things are stable and with the case also pressing down on the ports it keeps the Pi from flopping around.

                                I haven't totally worked out how I am going to mount the Mausberry yet. I am leaning toward waiting until my power switch comes in the mail to mess with it.

                                📷 @obsidianspider

                                meyemindM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • meyemindM
                                  meyemind @obsidianspider
                                  last edited by

                                  @obsidianspider Thanks that's fantastic, I'll have to pick up some M 2.5 plastic nut/bolt action. I tried pretty hard to find a more simple switch like you found... ahh well :)

                                  @edmaul69 That sounds like a good idea, nice one, thank you.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • hansolo77H
                                    hansolo77
                                    last edited by

                                    Finding M2.5 screws/nuts is hard to do locally. I went to 3 different hardware stores and couldn't find anything. When I was mounting my Pi in the Nintendo case, I had to settle with some #4 size screws. When did the notations of thread diameters get so complicated?
                                    http://i.imgur.com/08bovhm.jpg

                                    Who's Scruffy Looking?

                                    obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • obsidianspiderO
                                      obsidianspider @hansolo77
                                      last edited by obsidianspider

                                      @hansolo77 said in Pi in a Sega Genesis USB Hub Build:

                                      When did the notations of thread diameters get so complicated?

                                      #4 is the bolt size, 40 is the number of threads per inch. When you get under 1/4" that's when you start seeing things like #10, etc. That's been the way of noting bolt sizes for as long as I've known. M2.5 means it's a 2.5mm diameter.

                                      📷 @obsidianspider

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                                      • hansolo77H
                                        hansolo77
                                        last edited by

                                        I guess I just don't shop for these things often enough. :)

                                        Who's Scruffy Looking?

                                        obsidianspiderO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • obsidianspiderO
                                          obsidianspider @hansolo77
                                          last edited by

                                          @hansolo77 My dad was a machinist for 40 years. You pick up on these things.

                                          📷 @obsidianspider

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                                          • meyemindM
                                            meyemind @cyperghost
                                            last edited by

                                            @cyperghost Hmmm... yeah, getting more hands on, it does appear that PetRockBlog PowerBlock most likely won't fit!! Dammit. Between this thread and that Ivan guy making and selling them on ebay, it looks like all the Mausberry boards are SOLD OUT :(

                                            Curious if you all think I can get this below to work for mine instead:

                                            Using that 6 pin / 3 position switch I picked up with the RB-Pis-10 on/off power supply board? There is 'off', 'soft off', and 'on' options via the board, so I was thinking I could take advantage of all 3 using this switch. Is this possible? If so, how?

                                            Might be, this isn't a smart thing to do... looking for guidance :)

                                            Thank you in advance!

                                            #reallynoideawhatimdoinghere #electronicsn00b

                                            alt text

                                            obsidianspiderO edmaul69E 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
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