Retroflag NESPi Case - Soft Power & Reset Hack

Yahmez

@xadox good idea. I'll do that.

Riverstorm

@yahmez said in Retroflag NESPi Case - Soft Power & Reset Hack:

@mitu I take it back. Two people have made pcbs. The one you linked does not include any mosfet switching capability it simply changes the function of the power and reset buttons into inputs for gpio.

Referring to that link without the mosfet switching you're still not fully powered down and the LED will still be lit?

I would also be interested in what @mitu was asking. You would happen to know if these guys are selling a pre-built replacement PCB or a link to it?

mitu

@riverstorm From the link I gave a few posts back, there's a link to https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/V2yqoyFn which seems to have an order page.

Riverstorm

@mitu said in Retroflag NESPi Case - Soft Power & Reset Hack:

@riverstorm From the link I gave a few posts back, there's a link to https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/V2yqoyFn which seems to have an order page.

Thanks Mitu for the link. Would this shut down safely like a complete power off/on without unplugging the unit? The instructions are short and it looks you need an account to get the pricing. It looks good though.

Yahmez

http://www.ncspecialties.com/computers/customcomputers/nespi/softshutdown/v2/

That's the one I was referring to.

mitu

@riverstorm The instructions are on the github design page, which I linked in the 1st post. It seems to run similar to all the other projects that use push buttons to trigger GPIO in/out, it has a script to map the actions to OS commands - shutdown/reset/fan control.

Riverstorm

@mitu said in Retroflag NESPi Case - Soft Power & Reset Hack:

@riverstorm The instructions are on the github design page, which I linked in the 1st post. It seems to run similar to all the other projects that use push buttons to trigger GPIO in/out, it has a script to map the actions to OS commands - shutdown/reset/fan control.

@mito & @yahmez

Ok, I did register an account and the price difference between the two boards is like night and day.

The link you provided shows "3 of Retroflag NESPi Front Panel Control Board TH V1.0 copy" for $8.40 US. I think it's one board but shows three units for purchase or six units if purchasing 2. It's assembled it looks like and free shipping.

The link Yahmez provided is $45.00 US unassembled and $70.00 US assembled. Shipping included also.

Do both units do the same thing? Not the same way but the same task? Like powering down and resetting without pulling the unit from the outlet. You pointed out fan control but also it controls the LED?

It's fairly large price difference and it costs almost double of the case itself.

cyperghost

@riverstorm Sorry to spend 70$ (45$ unsoldered!) is really a joke. With this money I would rather buy a Mausberry or a PowerBlock (provided here in the forum) and just use the switches as inputs.

I think 45$ soldered and tested is a fair deal but not 70$. But this is only my opinion.

My project-setup "Yet annother NESPi case" was round about 35$

25$ MausberrySwitch + VAT
10$ for time and small parts....

Of course.... it costs some time to build this!
All in all it took 8h-10h to rebuild the PCB, to put the MB into the case and to do the wiring. But this thing is really unique and you learn a lot.

Thanks again to @Yahmez ...

Yahmez

$70 for a simple assembled PCB is too rich for my blood as well, but it's an option for some I suppose. The hack as I originally outlined is by far the cheapest solution for fully functional power and reset buttons, short of freeforming all the Pololu boards components. I paid $6 or $7 and spent an hour on a recent build.

cyperghost

@yahmez Yes I'm thankfull for your solution. If I got time maybe I will try this on annother NesPI case. I think there is even a cheaper solution via Mosfet that were linked here in the forum.

Maybe if you are a "talented" coder you can use a small Atmel and write some code. The Attiny85 costs just 1$ and offers 6 (?) GPIOs so enough for some switches. For the power you need just a mosfets or a simple p-transistor ;)

I tested some of these DIGISPARKs here ;) Makes fun and the whole board costs just 2-3$ ;)

It's a real pity that some people make money out of everything.

Riverstorm

@cyperghost & @Yahmez - It seemed high in comparison so that's good to know. I'm just looking at all the options. How about that $8.40 board? Is it doing the same essentially or is Yahmez's hack a better way to go?

It seems that all the hacks connect to the GPIO pins and run a script. There isn't a ton of information on the link but honestly I don't know what they are doing different. $8.40 for a fully assembled board doesn't seem like a bad way to go.

https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/V2yqoyFn

I also see kits/parts for your hack on eBay going for like $10 US which seems reasonable too. It's nice to have several different options.

Riverstorm

That OSH Park seems interesting.

This is a community printed circuit board (PCB) order. We take designs from lots of people, put them all together on a panel and then order the panel from a fab. Since we're all splitting the panel setup cost, this lets us make circuit boards inexpensively.

I still couldn't quite tell if get 3 boards or a single board is considered 3 units. On their order page it shows this also. If you get 3 for $8 and they work without soldering that's pretty darn cheap.

"3 boards at $8.40 per batch of three."

It looks like it replaces the switch board underneath and then uses DuPont connectors directly to the GPIO pins.

cyperghost

@Riverstorm This is a simple switch that was introduced

. It seems a nice option .... but it does not cut the "real" power. The Pi will be in a kind of "standby" mode - means the red LED is always on. But I think this is also an option to consider. But you have to buy the electric parts as well... no worries these costs just a few cents but the switches have to be desoldered from the original PCB.
Btw: the github from mafe72 is here

Maybe master @Yahmez can tell you more.

~~btw: Does anybody knows where to buy the original switches for the NESPi case? In my build I removed them and used momentary push buttons!~~ YES! Take a look at mouser ;)

Riverstorm

@cyperghost said in Retroflag NESPi Case - Soft Power & Reset Hack:

The Pi will be in a kind of "standby" mode - means the red LED is always on.

Ok thanks Cyperghost definitely not what I would want to do.

xadox

Does somebody know, if the shutdown fuctionality is also working while using Kodi in RetroPi?
Since shutting down from ES show the shutdown messages.
While shutting down in kodi it only gets off without the messages.

cyperghost

@xadox If you use the shutdown service provided by master @meleu then you always will perform a prober shutdown.

So the answer is YES

surajd

@Yahmez

Is it possible to use the Pololu 2808 push button power switch:

https://www.pololu.com/product/2808/pictures

And attach the yellow wire to the bottom push button contact, copying what you did in step 10? Or would this require bypassing anything in the circuit?

Your advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Yahmez

@surajd
I am not sure because unlike the 2811 (Mini Mosfet slide switch), Pololu does not provide a full schematic of the circuit.

tectron

Hi I applied the mod and it seems to work well except when I power it off, the power led fades into a low colour red and seems to have a bit of active power. All other LEDs are off. Odd thing is when I disconnect the HDMI it goes out completely.
Any idea why ?

Yahmez

@tectron yes, I had the same thing happen. It took a while to realize that it did not happen with HDMI disconnected which means that the power line in the HDMI cable is back feeding to power the led. I'm not 100% sure exactly how it's happening but I'm fairly certain that besides the led glowing very faintly it has no other ill effects.