PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each keyp

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themightymo
 
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PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each keyp

Post by themightymo »

Hello!

I'm super excited to build my first complex thing - the PiGRRL 2.

I'm on the "Testing Controls" step of the PiGRRL 2 assembly. https://learn.adafruit.com/pigrrl-2?vie ... g-controls

I'm on the command line.

I type "evtest" into the command line.

I get this: https://slack-files.com/T02A920RZ-F8A5M8FPV-da73d2a6b2

Looks good!

Then when I press the arrow keys, I get this: https://slack-files.com/T02A920RZ-F8A7SKH8A-27ea950010

What am I missing?

Thanks!
Toby

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

That's what raw binary output looks like when it gets sent to a terminal.

Check your /boot/retrogame.cfg file to make sure it looke like the one here:

https://learn.adafruit.com/retro-gaming ... -retrogame

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themightymo
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by themightymo »

@adafruit_support_mike:
Thanks for the reply. It's still not working, but I'm hopeful we can do it! :)

FWIW, the 4 directional buttons work, and the Y button press works as a "skip" function in Retropie right now. One of the bumper buttons works as an "A" button (I think - when I press the bumper, I am able to start the game emulator, but I cannot do anything once I'm in the game).

My /boot/retrogame.cfg looks correct. See https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipN ... hZTzlXZmRB

Also, see all my wiring + soldering here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/o9qPAN1krCer93YD2

I'm using a Raspberry Pi 3 - not sure if that matters.

I followed the instructions at https://learn.adafruit.com/pigrrl-2/

Also, I multi-meter-tested the 5v and 3v pins on the 40-pin header, and they read correctly I think (fluctuating between 0-5ish and 0-3ish, respectively).

I also multi-meter tested the 5v/GND to the left of the 40-pin header, and that fluctuates between 0-5ish as well.

Here's my circuit (with Tecmo Super Bowl on Sega):
circuit-800.jpg
circuit-800.jpg (553.5 KiB) Viewed 700 times
Thanks in advance for your help!
Toby

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adafruit_support_mike
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Check the voltages on the pins of the buttons that don't work. One pair from each switch should connect to GND, and the other pair should read 3.3v when the switch is open. When the switch is closed, the 3.3v side should drop to GND.

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themightymo
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by themightymo »

@adafruit_support_mike:
Thanks for your reply.

I checked voltages on the button pins that plug into the gamepad pcb, and they all work as you described (I checked both pin pairs on each button).

What's the best next step for troubleshooting?

Thanks,
Toby

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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Make sure you see the same behavior at the GPIO pins, and assuming things are good there, write a simple test script to see if the signals are getting into the logic.

All you need is a few lines of Python to watch each pin and give you feedback when the pin voltage goes high or low. You should see the code say the pin has gone low when you press each button.

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themightymo
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by themightymo »

@adafruit_support_mike: Thanks so much for your support.

I've been investing a lot of time these last few days learning how to troubleshoot voltages (called a few friends to help me out, too). I'm happy to report that my PiGRRL 2 with RPi3 is working well now!


My issue was that I didn't go back in and remap the controls like the instructions clearly state:
missed step.png
missed step.png (288.08 KiB) Viewed 641 times

FYI, It might help future builders if this specific instruction was placed just before the "Connected PiTFT and Gamepad" step, as that is where it will logically be utilized. https://learn.adafruit.com/pigrrl-2?vie ... nd-gamepad Also, I had to plug in my usb keyboard in order to press the "start" button, as the one on the PCB wasn't working until I re-mapped it.


Thanks again for all your help!

Toby

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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Glad to hear you found the part that wasn't working.

Don't worry.. there are a lot of places where the information that solves a problem only makes sense *after* you've run into the problem the first time. Humans tend to be context-sensitive about learning things. ;-)

Happy hacking!

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themightymo
 
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by themightymo »

@adafruit_support_mike - This will be my last post to this thread, I promise. :)

I wrote about my PiGRRL 2 learnings and thought I'd share with you in case you are interested. Gave you a shout out, too!

Thanks for all your help with this project. Looking forward to my next Adafruit project!

https://www.themightymo.com/2017/12/20/ ... -pigrrl-2/
IMG_20171220_085136.jpg
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Re: PiGRRL 2 beginner: Not sure how to test "Make sure each

Post by adafruit_support_mike »

Good job.. It's always a good idea to write down what you've learned while doing a project. I do that for every circuit I build myself.

Glad to hear you got it working and learned some things along the way. Happy hacking!

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