LED Controller that works with RetroPie

gt4chuck

For my project build, I'm looking to have some LED's happening.

Is there a PCB USB LED controller that will work with RetroPie? Most of the ones I'm seeing look like they're for Windows.

Thanks!

skidd

There is now. :) I made my own, and am posting how to DIY online.

https://github.com/shaneapowell/ArcadeIlluminate

I'm still working out the instructions and details, and a couple of bugs in teh software though.. so give me a little bit more time. The hardware part is working perfectly though. What it does, is it lights up the LEDs in the control buttons according to what ever game or system is loaded. Showing to the user which buttons to expect to work, and which buttons you can ignore. So far, it's working quite well in my brand new 2-player bartop cabinet. It isn't currently designed to do much more than that, but I have some future plans to add short animation sequences and such.

gt4chuck

Awesome! Is there a distict ZD LED board or do i need to get one that's also a button encoder?

skidd

The way I designed the LED control board and software, you can use any control board you want... it all comes down to how the LEDs are powered. the ZD board I have, just happens to also include a 5v wire to feed power to the buttons. But, any 5v power source would do.

gt4chuck

Cool thanks. Yeah looks like the LED board isn't available unless you get a kit. Shoot.

skidd

You don't need to use that ZD LED Control board. It just happens to be the one I picked. Any control board will work, you just need to provide your own 5v power to the LEDs instead of relying on the control board to do it.

Control Board <-> Button Switch

LED Power -> LED
LED Ground -> One of these custom Illuminate circuit boards

In fact.. I think the 2 pin ZD boards might work too. It seems that the way those board work is they feed 5v to the button switch, and detect the switch being activated on the ground wire back from the switch. It would not surprise me at all if the 2 pin ZD boards worked the same way. the 3rd pin on the board I have is just a 2nd ground pin.. I assume for more current. I'm using the 5v from teh ZD board to connect to the switch size of the button and the + size of the LED. then, the ground side of the button goes back to the ZD board, while ground size of the LED goes to the Illuminate board. So.. only 2 of the 3 ZD pins are even in use.

gt4chuck

@skidd thanks! I got a USB tap with a wall socket because I need 1.2A for all the LEDs I'm running, so that sorted that.

I'm stoked to build this! My only other option was using a PAC64, which IMO is overkill for a Pi Bartop. I'll let you know how it goes!

skidd

Awesome.. please let me know.. as I'm still trying to finish writing the instructions, add photos and tweak the software so it's easy for people to use.

gt4chuck

After going over it in detail, I'd recommend you encourage people to solder on screw terminal blocks for the LEDs as opposed to soldering them directly to the board. It's easier for maintenance down the road and can assist in neater wiring. :)

Ordering my parts for this this week! I'm also going to use a perf board, I'll send you what layout I come up with.

skidd

Thanks for the heads up.. I actually started with screw-terminal blocks in my design, but opted for a pin header instead. I know it's not clear in the instructions (yet) but the LEDs are not soldered directly, they are connected with a female to male pin/header combo.

If you come up with a nice perf-board layout, I'll absolutely post it up!! Anything to make building one of these easier for anybody/everybody is a win for us all.

efraimsangil

@skidd It's an awesome project! Congrats!

gt4chuck

@skidd ah thanks for clarifying!

skidd

I updated the readme with a couple of new photos, including a shot of it installed in my cabinet. Hopefully that clarifies a few details.

Thanks for the props guys.