PALPi Version 2, Big Edition
Introduction: PALPi Version 2, Big Edition
Hey Everyone what's up, So here's something cool.
This is PALPi Version 2 which is a Huge Retro Game Emulator system with a 7-inch display and custom PCB!
Recently, I got a Raspberry Pi IPS Touch 7-inch Display from the PCBway gift shop and I thought "Hey, let's make a huge Handheld game system that works even better than my previous setup"
In this post I will show you guys how I made a Huge Retro Game Console by using the 7 inch IPS Display, recalbox OS and a custom board from my previous Game Console built so without wasting any more time, let's get started.
Supplies
* 7 inch IPS Display (which was provided by PCBWAY)
* Raspberry Pi Model 3B (any model can work, even zero but it's better if we use Model 3B+ or higher models with more RAM)
* Custom PCB
* IP5306 IC
* 10uf 0805 Capacitors
* USB Port USB
* Micro Port
* Li-ion Battery with CON2 Connector wire (JST Connector)
* CON2 Connector
* 10k 0603 Resistance
* 2R 0805 Resistance
* Vertical Push Button
* Regular Pushbuttons
* RPI GPIO Ribbon cable
* HDMI Cable (small length cable)
* USB Cable
* 5V 2A Charger
* Keyboard
* 3D Printed parts for Display's Frame
Step 1: Prologue
a few months ago, I made this PALPi setup which was a Rpi Zero-based Retro game emulator which uses Recalbox OS as an emulation system.
It was a great project but it had soo many flaws, It uses a Composite PAL display which was small and not exactly great.
Also, it had no sound but the main problem was that it wasn't very powerful as it uses an RPI Zero and sometimes the game freezes or setup turns itself OFF.
I tried adding some cooling setup and even overclocking the RPI Zero but the freezing problem was still there so I removed the RPI zero from the equation entirely.
For Preparing the V2 of the PALPi project, I got myself a huge 7 inch IPS display that uses a much better video output method, the mighty HDMI.
Also, I used the same PCB setup for this project from the previous one.
This Board is based around IP5306 which is a power management IC that boosts a 3.7V Li-ion cell to 5V 2A for Raspberry Pi and Display to work.
However this PCB was designed for the BOX shaped game controller project and the one I'm making right now is more like a console so for now I will be using this board but in the next iteration, I will be making a custom board shaped like a console D PADs and ABXY Pads.
Step 2: About the Display
Display size: 7 inch
Resolution: 1024*600px
Principle: touch control
Interface: USB/HDMI/ power interface
Suitable for: Raspberry Pi/NVIDIA /Windows
Weight: close 265g
Support: Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA, Ubuntu mirror, computer secondary screen
The unboxing of this display was also pretty straightforward, it comes in a decent cardboard box with a bunch of stuff along with it like a stand, HDMI to Micro HDMI cable.
Step 3: Display 3D Printed Frame
Now before doing anything, this display is not exactly robust so I first modeled its body in Fusion360 and then 3D Printed all the parts on my ender 3 with white PLA.
The infill of parts was at 50% and no supports were required.
I made the body for this display like a Frame instead of making a BOX Body.
Step 4:
Then I assembled the whole display and then added Raspberry Pi Model 3B+ on the backside of the display with given mounting holes.
I had to enlarge the holes on raspberry pi from 2.5mm to 4mm.
After assembly, we now have a cool-looking RPI setup with a proper robust body.
As for Display wiring, I connected the HDMI out of Rpi to the HDMI port of the display with a small HDMI cable that came along with the display.
now let's move on to the next crucial step which is "How to power this setup"
Step 5: POWERING THIS SETUP
Now to power this display, we have two options here, to use a 5V Charger as a power source or use a dedicated Battery source.
To power RPI, I used a 5V wall adaptor and for display, I used a powerbank setup. this method does work but the issue with this setup is the portability problem.
this setup is powered by a wall adaptor which is not at all portable. 848