From 81b23beadeac35219e5dd2192e7ac0926e66a94d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Cupcakus Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2017 14:03:14 -0800 Subject: [PATCH] Update README.md --- README.md | 45 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 44 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 7a33a1c..e190ba9 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,5 +1,48 @@ # Apple IIe Mini powered by C.H.I.P -Here you will find everything you need to create you're very own C.H.I.P. powered Apple IIe Mini computer. +Here you will find everything you need to create your very own C.H.I.P. powered Apple IIe Mini computer. + +# How it works +This Apple IIe mini is completely self contained and has a battery life of about 10 hours give or take. I haven't actually tested it, so I'm guessing based on the stated life of the battery and the amount of currrent draw observed during testing. + +The C.H.I.P. can use 3.3V to 5V power, however the LCD TFT screen requires 6V to 12V. I solved this by using a 12V drone/RC battery and passed it through a cheap 5V buck converter to power the C.H.I.P. I created a very simple PCB to accomplish this. You do not need the PCB to complete this build, I created one just to keep things a bit tidy. + +You can of course use a super cheap linear regular like an LM317 to do the same job, but the $5 buck converter is much more efficient and will extend the battery life. + +A stock C.H.I.P is all you need, I could not get the emulator to run in headless mode, so you will need the standard firmware and then configure the emulator to auto run in the KDE desktop. # Tools Required +-Soldering Iron +-Edge cutters (To cut off excess pins after soldering) +-Good 60/40 Solder +-22 Guage or similar stranded hook up wire +# Electrical Components Required +If you are building it the exact same way I did, including the PCB this is what you will need +-4x JS 2.0 PH Connectors Male & Female (For 12V In, 12V Out, Speaker Out, and Power Switch) +-2x 40 Pin DIP headers +-1x 4 pin 12v to 5v buck converter (Search EBay) +-1x Small speaker (Digikey SP-1504 is what I used) +-1x Lumineer 1300mAh 12V battery +-1x Set of XT60 Drone battery connectors +-1x 3S LiPo battery charger (Optional, but I'm sure you will want to charge the battery at some point) +-1x 3.5" TFT LCD TV from Adafruit (https://www.adafruit.com/products/913) +-1x Pushbutton toggle switch for power (https://www.adafruit.com/product/1683) + +# 3D Prints +I used the excellent 3D models from Thingiverse of a user named option8 and printed them on my Zortrax M200 pinter at 0.19mm/Medium infill. The original models are meant for a Raspberry Pi powered via USB, so I modified the base a bit for this self contained model. +-Apple II Enclosure (https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:340677) +-Apple II Monitor (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:377253) +-Apple II Enclosed Base (http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2103158) +I drilled a hole through the top of the enclosure into the monitor to run the wires for the monitor power, power switch, and video signals into the monitor. +Standard super glue seemed to work fine for gluing everything together. + +# Video Signal +Unfortunately the composite video signal from the C.H.I.P. is not exposed on the pin headers, so I was forced to hack it in. If you are able to find a small enough right angle 3.5mm to RCA video cable that works go for it. I was not. + +To hack in the video signal, simply attach a wire from the video signal on the C.H.I.P. PCB. I have highlighted the correct pin here: [Video Pin](./BuildImages/VideoPin.png) + +Connect the video GND to any available ground, I soldered it directly to the top of the 3.5mm connector on the C.H.I.P. + +# Emulator +I am using stock LinApple-Pi which you can get here https://github.com/dabonetn/linapple-pie +I have modified it a bit to make the menus more readable on the 320x240 screen, source code will be available soon.