ControlBlock with SNES - VCC?

[shawnp0wers]

I'm trying to wire my SNES controllers to my ControlBlock, and the instructions here: http://blog.petrockblock.com/2014/12/29/controlblock-power-switch-and-io-for-the-raspberry-pi/

Are pretty clear, except that I don't know what "VCC" is in the diagram. Using process of elimination, it would seem that VCC matches up to the 5V pins -- but is that the case? I successfully soldered power pins to the ControlBlock, so I don't want to screw it up now (soldering is NOT a strength of mine, lol!)

Did I misunderstand the diagram?

[shawnp0wers]

VCC is the same as the 5V. I figured it out by experimentation.

Also, one of the two original SNES controllers I bought on eBay has some weird "flickering" ghost button presses. Perhaps it's not getting enough voltage or something. The other controller works perfectly on both ports, so there's something screwy with the controller, but I wonder if the circuit isn't providing enough juice for some controllers. I ordered another, so hopefully it will work.

[jsawhite]

I'm pretty sure you have to tie VCC to 3.3v not 5. the logic levels of the GPIO pins are 3.3v not 5. You can fry your gpio pins if you use 5v logic!

[petrockblog]

For wiring SNES controllers to the ControlBlock I have created this diagram:

In that way you ensure that you will not run into any voltage issues. The controllers will be powered by the 3.3V GPIO pins of the ControlBlock.

[shawnp0wers]

Ok... so maybe I misunderstood again. On the page with that diagram, it shows the controllers using 5V, and on the ControlBlock, it uses VCC (as you posted here).

Does that mean I'm using 3.3v from the VCC pins on the ControlBlock, and not supplying enough voltage for the controllers? Or do the controllers use 3.3v instead of the listed 5v?

[petrockblog]

Aha now I see - the diagram

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.