GPi Case Pi3 A+ Prototype Cart

cults3d

This is my prototype cart / PCB holder for my attempt to get the RetroFlag GPi Case to use a Pi3 A+. This is not a permanent solution but for prototyping this makes it much easier to slot the Pi in there. I keep making updates to this on my end and will from time to time update the model here when I get to the point that there is a worthwhile change. Please be aware that I've never used Fusion 360 or made object models before and I'm just kind of learning and self-teaching as I go so this may be a hair rough. I've made a lot of changes to this design and over time if I make another large change I will upload that version. I've tried to design this to print vertically as easily as possible by using a lot of 45 degree angles where I could. In theory this would be best printed horizontally but I've never been able to get the supports to come off properly in that layout, you may have better luck with that. Also please be aware that you need to chop down your Pi3 A+ pretty hard to make it fit. Remove the full-size USB port, the GPIO pins, and both ribbon cable points to make it fit. In regards to the PCB from your GPi Case, you may need to shave this down or shave the model down as your PCB will not be broken apart in the exact same size that mine was, no two cards will be the exact same size so there may need to be a hair of tinkering there too. You'll also need to connect the USB pins (the center two) from the A+ to the GPi cart, I used 28 gauge ribbon cable and it worked fine (it's barely passing power, it gets pulled from the main board elsewhere). The way I like to do it is get your cart PCB wedged in the case, align the GPIO and the spring pins and hold it in place in the cart, then insert into the GPi case and use the tension bar between the PCB's and the back of the case as shown in the pictures. Not a perfect solution but makes getting the Pi in place for testing so much easier then trying to hold it against the springs by hand. UPDATE 8-28-2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VCH8zh7iYE It's alive! Pictures added and a few details above modified to reflect the working prototype and some steps needed to get your own going. UPDATE 9-10-2019: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3850620 Final project is completed and upload as it's own thing. I'm leaving the prototype board up because it serves it's own purpose and allows you to test the theory for yourself without fully stripping the Pi3 all the way down. See the link for the files and a full instructables page on doing the mod! I'm removing the work in progress flag as this is as final as the prototype board will get