Arrange Components
Layout the components on each stand-off. Measure how long each wire needs to be. You can alway constumize the the layout by editing the CAD files.
Measure wires
We can solder wires from the bottom or top side of the GPIO header pins. Measure each wire so there is enough slack when we strip both ends.
Tin headers
To make the enclsoure as thin as possible, we can solder directly to the GPIO header pins. Refer to the circuit diagram and connect power and ground to the PowerBoost1000C.
Solder power and ground
Hold the Pi steady with something like a Panavise Jr. Use tweezers to easily hold wires close to each pin. Solder each wire to the side of the pin.
Solder PowerBoost1000C
Positive and negative pins on the PowerBoost100C connect to pin #2 (5V power) and pin #6 (ground).
PAM8302 power and ground
Feed power from the Pi to the amp using pin #1 for power and pin #9 or #14 for ground.
Audio pigtail cable
Measure the length of cable needed to connect the amplifier to the audio jack on the Pi. Cut the cable to the right length and strip about 1.5cm of insulation.
Twist together the stranded wire and tin to keep it from fraying.
Strip about 5mm of insultation from the red and white wires, then tin both wires.
Solder Audio Cable to Amplifier
Solder the tinned ground wire from the audio cable to the A- pin on the PAM8302.
You can solder either the red or white wire to the A+ pin on the PAM8302 (they are the left and right audio channels.)
Red wire IS NOT soldered in the photo. Only the white wire.
Plug in audio cable to Pi
Postion and check the audio cable length. You can always solder extra wire if you cut too much off.
Solder power and ground to Display Driver
To run the display, we can use a separate PowerBoost100C and 6600mAh battery. Reference the connections to power and ground above and connect to the +Postive and -Negative pins on the PowerBoost1000C.
Connect HDMI
Position the display driver and PowerBoost on the stand-offs. Connect a slim HDMI cable from the driver to the HDMI port on the Pi. Coil the HDMi cable so that it tucks underneath the boards and between the stand-offs.
JST extension
The battery cable for the Pi might not reach the second PowerBoost. Measure and cut a JST extension cable to it help reach the power connector.
Shorten JST extension cable
With the desired measurement, cut one the wire short. Strip and tin the ends of the wire to splice them together. Use heat tubing to insultate the exposed connections.
Slide switch
Measure and cut wires for both of the slide switches. Solder wries to the slide switch first and then insert the switch into each port before soldering to each of the PowerBoost breakouts.
Mount boards
Use #4-40 3/8 screws to mount each board to its stand-off. To make it easier, we can use dril to tap each board before screwing into the snad-off.
Zip Tie Batteries
Thread zip ties through the slits. Position the batteries over the enclosure and tighten the zip ties secure the batteries in place.
Trim Zip ties
Cut off the excess from zip ties. Position the locking head near the bottom of the case.
Power test
Once all of the components are securely mounted, flip power switch on and make sure the connections work.
Tapping screw threads
The standoffs on the enclosure frame will need to be tapped. Use a pointy #4-40 wood screw to help puncture through the plastic. Be careful not to make the holes so deep that it pokes through the frame.
Install Display
Align the display with standoffs on the frame. Make sure the longer tabs match up with the longer elevated tabs on the frame. Mark each hole on all of the tabs and then carfully tap each hole.
Clean holes
Use flush diagnoal cutters remove excess material left over from tapping the thread. You'll want to make sure the tabs are flush against the display frame.
Screws for Display
The tabs on the display are thin enough to be held in place by short #4-40 1/8 flat phillips machine screws.
Display tabs
Mount the display to frame by fastening the screws into the standoffs. If any of the screws pop out, make sure that the hole tapped is deep enough for the screws to have enough material to grip on to.
Connect display
Carefully connect the display to the driver. Arrange the wires so they coil when mounting the display to the case.
Arrange wires
The glowing logo cutout works best if the cables are cleared away from covering up the displays backlight. Use gaffers tape to keep wires away from the cutout.
Display control
Plug in the display controller to turn on the monitor. Set the input to HDMI. You can disconnect the controller from the driver board to save space. The display will save the input selected on initial start up.
Diffuser for illuminated logo
Attach the translucent diffuser part to the inside of the display cover using pieces of gaffer tape.
Back cover
Align the cover to the back of the case. Use #2-56 3/8 flat phillips machine screws to secure it in place.
Remove protective film
Finally, we can remove the plastic film covering on the display. Grip it by the yellow tab and pull it off.
Tripod attachment
The case is design to sit on any of its sides. You can also attach a 3/8" to 1/4-20 tripod adapter to easily connect it to a tripod!
Recharge the Batteries
Once the lipo batteries have depleted, you can recharge them using a microUSB cable and a power source/adapter. The two microUSB ports on the PowerBoost 1000C are exposed on the side of the enclosure. A yellow LED will light up, indicating charging status. Once the batteries are fully charged, a green LED will light up.
Page last edited March 08, 2024
Text editor powered by tinymce.
