Bob Cradle Designed Around The Dev Board


crusty posted on Sep 18 2006 at 08:51 PM said:
Very impressive design work. Much better than anything I could do.

I have a developer's version of the BoB and a Mk1 Gp2x.

To overcome the need for two power supplies, I soldered a short
wire to the back of the Bob power input socket and attached a
mating plug that gets inserted into the Gp2x power input socket.
Using the GPH power supply, plugged into the BoB, allows both
devices to run from the single power supply.

Now, there is a bit of problem with your design: the EXT port
connects to the BoB using a 27 cm cable with identical plugs
on each end. It can be swapped end for end without concern.

The mating socket on the BoB is edge mounted beside the DB-9
serial port socket and at the corner nearest to the 4 USB
sockets Since it is at the board edge, your design would require
that the cable exit your case and then be reinserted into the
case under the Gp2x in order to connect with the Gp2x.

This "feature" of the BoB makes it difficult to design an
enclosing case. I hope the commercial version is changed to
permit enclosing the EXT cable within the case.

Other points:

1. The BoB power available light is beside the power input socket
and near the corner adjacent to the DB09 socket.

2. The power socket extension cable mentioned above also would
need to exit the case to be plugged into the right side of the Gp2x.
Another solution might be to remove the Gp2x battery cover and
attach the power extension cable to the battery terminals - perhaps
using a dummy battery pack for secure electrical connection.

3. It would be nice if your case design permitted latching the Gp2x
so that the two cases became "as one" rather than just a gravity
hold.

4. Another BoB redesign possibility would be to shift all connectors
to the bottom edge of the slightly wider circuit board. Connectors
could be mounted on both sides of the board. This would permit
design of a Bob case that fits behind and below the Gp2x, thus
allowing free access to the L & R shoulder keys.
DaveC Jr. :rolleyes: That is not a dis, it is a complement, you are very observative.
 
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