Help use my PIN2DMD in a real pinball

[gStAv]

Hi!

I built my vpcab over 10yrs ago and jumped the PIN2DMD project from the beginning having a pretty dated board and shield I guess but hopefully it will work as I have used it in my pincab until the end of 2024 updated the firmware to v4.52 as seen in the picture (powered screen and board with 5v+)

 

 

The hardware is ST-Link Discovery board STM32F4 and it sits on a shield "UNCLE SHASH 2015"

 

 

The content of the SD-card looks like this

 

 

I recently bought a Bally - World Cup Soccer '94 and would really love to have color running instead of the plasma dmd

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

/Gustav

[lucky1]

The connector next to the SD card reader should be for real pin connection.

Make sure you get a good 5v power source by either connecting a DC-DC converter (e.g. XL4015)

to 12V from J116/J117/J118 like shown here. Set the output to 4.8V

 

Or use a exzternal 5V / 5A power supply 

Edited February 15, 2025 by lucky1

[gStAv]

Thanks for the feedback!

I have a DC/DC converter but would preffer to try it using extrnal power first not to do more than needed for a test.
Changed from "USB port" to "Bally/Williams" and "Palette 0 (VGA)" and Device>Save Config

 

So now I guess I just power the PIN2DMD panel externally and the seat the flex cable from my old DMD here?

Would I also need to feed the board 5v somewhere as I not going to have micro USB to drive it in a real pinball



I guesss next step would be to put the color files to the SD-card? I downloaded the .pac file from here:

 

[lucky1]

Not sure wether the shield from uncle sash has a external power supply connector. For testing you may use the USB connector to power the STM and if that works o.k for you maybe get a newer shield version.

For real pin files you need to contact the author of the colorization.

[gStAv]

Thanks, I just used micro USB to power the board and a power supply for the screen and hooked it up. I would say it's a success!

 

Setting it up to VGA but it looks pink(!) maybe that's normal running without color file or is it some file on the SD-card since the vp use doing this?

 

 

Otherwise I will proceed in buying the color files if it looks ok 😃

[lucky1]

You need to set the RGB Sequence for your LED panels correctly 

https://pin2dmd.com/#3

 

 

[gStAv]

I can't do it, there's no buttons on my shield. Can I do this some other wat like from the PIN2DMD tool?

 

(Edit) i built a patch cable to the flex to shift 2/3 and 6/7 and it seems to output the correct colors now.

 

 

Also revived the color files now. Eager to try on the real machine 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2025 by gStAv
Progress after additional testing

[lucky1]

Like I said maybe get a newer shield version or add the buttons according to the schematics https://github.com/lucky01/PIN2DMD/blob/master/hardware/DEPRECATED/V3 STM32F4 DISCOVERY/PIN2DMD-v3.0.pdf

 

 

 

[gStAv]

Tried quick on the real pin but got these weird glitches. Especially visible on the striker presentation but also visible on the main logo and scores. You know why this is happening?

 

Running the board and the panel with a power supply on 4.8v converted from 12v with a DC step down converter

 

[gStAv]

I found that if I press my thumb underneat the soldering points of the ribbon cable (7x2) going to the pinball cabinet the flicker stops, and resumes when I let go.

I guess I should first try to replace the ribbon cable but would it be some grounding or such I could try. This is a bit beyond me but looks like if I could mimic what my thumb does when

hoding the points it woudl work just fine

 

 

[lucky1]

Missing R-C filter circuit on your shield !! Get a new shield !!!!

Edited February 18, 2025 by lucky1

[gStAv]

Thanks for helping me out 💖

 

Damn! So an R-C filter isn't something I coudl add?

What shield with R-C filter would work with my STM32F4 discovery board? Any pointers appreciated!

 

I'm driving the panel and STM32F4 with a powerbank, would it be any differnce running it from the pinballs powersource?

It only behaves like this when I have the SD-card in the slot, pressing the card out and it works on default pallet without any glitches

Edited February 18, 2025 by gStAv

[lucky1]

The last V3 shield should solve all your problems. https://github.com/lucky01/PIN2DMD/tree/master/hardware/DEPRECATED

Sorry but I will not continue wasting my time analyzing problems which are already solved with the last hardware for Discovery.  

[gStAv]

Thanks for all your help. Really appreciate it. 🙏

[gStAv]

Hi!

 

I now have the V3 shield 💖

Standard and single colors works fine but it dosen't seem to read the files from the SD card.

When I select to save config nothing is written to the card.

 

using the "pin2dmd.exe" and press "Back up key" it says "device not activated" but its the same I have activated way back.

I tried to reactivated it pointing it to my "pin2dmd.key" but it give me "Device activation failed"

 

UDI:

D590048000B5133

 

Hope anyone can help me. Feel so close to finsih this, but I just cant get it to work with my color file

 

[lucky1]

If the SD reader worked on the old shield then most likely there is a problem with the SD reader on the new shield.

From your picture above I can see that the PC is connected through the SD Link USB port. Use the other one on the opposite to 

connect to your pin2dmd through USB

Edited April 17, 2025 by lucky1

[gStAv]

Thank you @lucky1, your are absolutely right. Using the other USB I got that the board is licensed, so that's no issue.

 

Tried to save settings but nothing is written to the SD card afterwards.

 

Can I test with a multimeter or something or would my bet bet be to just replace the SD card reader module? If so, do you happends to know the model to search for. Cheers 💖