BB8 – Joe’s Drive System Boards

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Estimated reading time: 4 min

Overview:

The BB-8 control system is designed for the Joe’s Drive system (MK3).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/
and are available here: https://shop.printed-droid.com/produkt-kategorie/bb-8-electronics/

It corresponds to the standard code and the usual wiring and the most important wires can either be connected via a terminal, alternatively there are also soldering points for JST plugs or simple 2.54 pitch headers.

Both Adafruit AudioFX (mini) soundboards are usable.

David Wolf made a diagram, covering the fuses etc. It’s in the attachements below.

The sketches in the attachements are from the BB8 Joe’s Drive Facebookgroup
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/

The latest remote, domeboard & mainbord revisions allows the usage of Adafruit Feather 32u4 RFM69HCW
(433 or 900MHz) or a Wemos LOLIN32 LITE (Wemos untested – sketch adjustment needed!).
Feather 32u4 Bluefruit should also be possible, sketch adjustment needed!

BB8 4D v2 Remote ISSUE!

Unfortunately there is a small tracing error on the first 4D Remote PCB (version v2).

The 4D Stick Buttons can replace the other buttons, but they themselves do not have the original function.

The selector jumpers should therefore be ignored.

Please solder 2 wires on the bottom of the board.

B1 on the left to pin 13 on the Adafruit.

B1 on the right to pin RX on the Adafruit.

This restores the original function. A new board has already been ordered (version V2.1).

Version 2.1 has an extra button that can replace the stick buttons if you want to reroute the stick button.

Otherwise, the solder jumper next to A1/B1 must be soldered to restore the original function.

If you have one of the protoboards and want the “corrected” version, please write to me 🙂

Instrucions for fixing V2:

On the mainbord the pins for the Adafruit are highlited in the picture below (will mark them on the pcb in the next revision):

The red terminals are 5.08mm pitch, the black terminals 3.5mm pitch.
The needed fuses are Mini blade fuses.

BOM:

Standard Remote:

Quantity:Component:
1Adafruit Feather 32u4 RFM69HCW 433 or 900MHz -depending on your country (Adafruit 3077 or 3076)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3077
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3076
Look at the antenna options:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-32u4-radio-with-rfm69hcw-module/antenna-options

Alternative Wemos Lolin32 Lite – you need to modify the code!!!
10.96″ OLED SSD1306 Display I2C 128 x 64
6Tactile Push Button 6x6mm ~8mm height
(included in the kit)
2SK12D07 3pin ON-OFF switch (included in the kit)
2Analog 2-axis Thumb Joystick with Select Button
(Adafruit 512)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/512
2Mini 2-Axis Analog Thumbstick (Adafruit 2765)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2765

4D Remote:

Quantity:Component:
1Adafruit Feather 32u4 RFM69HCW 433 or 900MHz -depending on your country (Adafruit 3077 or 3076)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3077
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3076
Look at the antenna options:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-32u4-radio-with-rfm69hcw-module/antenna-options

Alternative Wemos Lolin32 Lite – you need to modify the code!!!
10.96″ OLED SSD1306 Display I2C 128 x 64
6 (8)Tactile Push Button 6x6mm ~8mm height
(included in the kit)
2SK12D07 3pin ON-OFF switch (included in the kit)
24D Joysticks JH-D400B-M4 10K 4D Controller
varioussome 2.54mm headers or solder joystick direct to the board

Controller (Main) board:

Quantity:Component:
1Mega2560 Pro (mini)
1Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board (Adafruit 2220)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2220
or
Adafruit Audio FX Sound Board Mini (Adafruit 2341)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/2341
1Adafruit Feather 32u4 RFM69HCW 433 or 900MHz -depending on your country (Adafruit 3077 or 3076)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3077
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3076
Look at the antenna options:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-32u4-radio-with-rfm69hcw-module/antenna-options

Alternative Wemos Lolin32 Lite – you need to modify the code!!!
1Stepdown 5V/3A (cheap MP1584EN)
12 Pin Terminal 5.08mm pitch
~112/3/4 Pin terminal (3.5mm pitch)
or
2/3/4 Pin XH connector terminal (2.54mm pitch)
or
2/3/4 pin 2.54mm pin header
Look at the board what you need
variousResistors soldered on board

Dome (Light) Controller:

Quantity:Component:
1Adafruit Feather 32u4 RFM69HCW 433 or 900MHz -depending on your country (Adafruit 3077 or 3076)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3077
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3076
Look at the antenna options:
https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-32u4-radio-with-rfm69hcw-module/antenna-options

Alternative Wemos Lolin32 Lite – you need to modify the code!!!
53 Pin terminal (3.5mm pitch)
or
3 Pin XH connector terminal (2.54mm pitch)
or
3 pin 2.54mm pin header
1SK12D07 3pin ON-OFF switch (included in the kit)

Power Board:

Quantity:Component:
92 Pin Terminals 5.08mm pitch
5Fuse holders (included in kit)
5Fuses
1Power connector (XT60/XT30/Deans)

Gyro Board:

Quantity:Component:
1Arduino Pro Mini 5V 16Hz
1MPU6050 Gyro (any cheap gyro will work)
14 Pin terminal (3.5mm pitch) or 2x 2 Pin
or
4 Pin XH connector terminal (2.54mm pitch)
or
4 pin 2.54mm pin header

Led Boards:

Quantity:Component:
33 Pin terminal (3.5mm pitch) or 2x 2 Pin
or
3 Pin XH connector terminal (2.54mm pitch)
or
3 pin 2.54mm pin header
2Single Neopixel

Other electronics:

Quantity:Component:
3uFL SMT Antenna Connector (Adafruit 1661)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1661
3SMA to uFL/u.FL/IPX/IPEX RF Adapter Cable (Adafruit 851)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/851
3Great Scott Gadgets ANT700 – 300MHz to 1100MHz Telescope Antenna (Adafruit 3585)
https://www.adafruit.com/product/3585

Also any other antenna with the same connector will work (check if its compatible with your used frequency!)
for example:
Goupchn 433MHz 2dBi WiFi Antenna 50 Ohm with SMA Male Connector 2 Pack Omni-Directional Antenna
3BTS7960B DC 43A Stepper Motor Driver
1L298N DC Stepper Motor Driver Module Dual H Bridge Control Board
150K-Ohm Linear-Taper Potentiometer
https://www.digikey.de/en/products/detail/cts-electrocomponents/450T328F503A1A1/4733113
or similar
1Infinite Spin Pot
The Bourns 6630S0D-C28-A103 is discontinued
Please use:
Bourns 6639S-2-103
https://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/652-6639S-2-103
2Servos JX Servo PDI-HV2060MG 60KG High Torque 180° Digital Servo
2 (Main Drive)165 RPM Motor
https://www.servocity.com/165-rpm-hd-premium-planetary-gear-motor
or
6mm 12v 160 RPM geared motor
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003646485473.html?
If the link is not working or the seller does not ship to your country search Aliexpress for 36mm Motor 36gp-555

(Please check the Joe’s Drive FB Group for more infos about possible motors
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/permalink/3524793454456553/)
1 (Side 2 Side)45 RPM Motor
https://www.servocity.com/45-rpm-hd-premium-planetary-gear-motor
or
6mm 12v 58 RPM geared motor
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003646485473.html?
If the link is not working or the seller does not ship to your country search Aliexpress for 36mm Motor 36gp-555

(Please check the Joe’s Drive FB Group for more infos about possible motors
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/permalink/3524793454456553/)
1 (SINGLE MOTOR VERSION)
2 (DUAL MOTOR VERSION – outdated!!!)
612 RPM Motor (Flywheel Spin)
https://www.servocity.com/612-rpm-hd-premium-planetary-gear-motor
1621 RPM Motor
or
6mm 12v 571 RPM geared motor
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005003646485473.html?
If the link is not working or the seller does not ship to your country search Aliexpress for 36mm Motor 36gp-555

(Please check the Joe’s Drive FB Group for more infos about possible motors
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/permalink/3524793454456553/)
1100 RPM Motor (Dome Spin)
https://www.robotshop.com/en/12v-100rpm-583-oz-in-brushed-dc-motor.html
or
Greartisan DC 12V 100RPM Geared Motor
Eccentric Output Shaft 37mm Diameter
https://amzn.to/41M3RFv

(Please check the Joe’s Drive FB Group for more infos about possible motors
https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoesDrive/permalink/3524793454456553/)

You will also need an amplifier, speakers, lots of wires, connectors, voltage converters etc.

Pinouts:

Standard Remote:

Feather Pin / Lolin32 PinComponent
5 / 5Right Middle Button
6 / 18Right Top Button
9 / 4Right Bottom Button
10 /25Left Top Button
11 / 26Left Middle Button
12 / 27Left Bottom Button
13 / 14Left Stick Push Button
A0 / 32Left Stick vertical
A1 / 33Left Sick horizontal
A2 / 36Rear Stick left (top view) – Dome Rotate
A3 / 39Rear Stick right (top view) – Flywheel
A4 / 34Right Sick horizontal
A5 / 35Right Stick vertical
TX / 17Motor Switch
RX / 16Right Stick Push Button
SDA / 23SDA Display
SCL / 19SCL Display
EN / ENPower Switch

4D Remote:

Feather Pin / Lolin32 PinComponent
5 / 5Right Middle Button
6 / 18Right Top Button
9 / 4Right Bottom Button
10 /25Left Top Button
11 / 26Left Middle Button
12 / 27Left Bottom Button
13 / 14Left Stick Push Button
A0 / 32Left Stick Y (Dome)
A1 / 33Left Sick X (Dome)
A2 / 36Dome Rotate S (4D Joystick)
A3 / 39Flywheel S (4D Joystick)
A4 / 34Right Stick X (Drive)
A5 / 35Right Stick Y (Drive)
TX / 17Motor Switch
RX / 16Right Stick Push Button
SDA / 23SDA Display
SCL / 19SCL Display
EN / ENPower Switch

Mainboard:

Adjust the MP1584 to 5V!

Mega2560Feather Pin / Lolin32 Pin
D180 / 16
D191 / 17
Mega2560Adafruit Soundboard
A4Audio R
D14RX Pin
D15TX Pin
D35ACT Pin
D37RST Pin
Mega2560Terminal/Pin Signals
A0Side2Side Pot
A4Dome Spin Pot
A5Voltage Divider
D4Servo 2
D5Servo 1
D6Side 2 Side Motor (Terminal Pin 1)
D7Side 2 Side Motor (Terminal Pin 2)
D8Flywheel Motor (Terminal Pin 1)
D9Flywheel Motor (Terminal Pin 2)
D10Dome Spin Motor (IN4)
D11Dome Spin Motor (IN3)
D12Main Drive Motor (Terminal Pin 2)
D13Main Drive Motor (Terminal Pin 1)
D16 (TX)Gyro RX
D17 (RX)Gyro TX
D29Main Drive Motor/Flywheelmotor (Terminal Pins 3&4)
D33Side 2 Side Motor (Terminal Pins 3&4)

Dome Controller:

Component (Lightboard)Feather Pin / Lolin32 Pin
Eye11 / 16
PSI10 / 17
Holo Projector3 / 5
Small Logics5 / 32
Large Logics6 / 33

Power Board:

No Pinout needed 🙂

Gyro Board:

ComponentComponent PinArduino Pin
MPU6050SCLA5
SDAA4

Button functions on a traditional remote

(source Joe’s Drive FB Group)

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