V2 Hardware Assembly Guide - GrechTech/RetroRosetta GitHub Wiki

Parts

1x RetroSet Core PCB

1x RetroSet Core Case [Not required for custom or internal setups]

2x 20 Male 2.54 mm pin header

2x 2 Male 2.54 mm pin header

3x M2 x 5mm Self Tapping screws

1x LED (Default: 5mm Red 2.1V LED 30mA). Other colours can be used as long as the forward drop is below 3V and an appropriate current limiting resistor value is used.

1x Resistor (Default: 56 ohm / <5%). If changing the LED colour, voltage or current, then you will likely want to change the current limiting resistor value.

1x ESP32 DevKitC (25.4 mm pin width). Ideally a WROOM-32E or 32UE model. If an external antenna setup is desired, use a 32UE model.

[Optional - 32U models] 1x ESP32 compatible SMA external antenna with screw mount

DIY PCB Setup

Side A

Side B

  1. Solder the 20x2 male 2.54 mm pin headers to the PCB, with the longer pins protruding from Side A*
  2. Solder the 2x2 male 2.54 mm pin headers to the PCB, with the longer pins protruding from Side A*
  3. Solder resistor RU1 of value 56 ohms (<5%)
  4. If using an ESP32 DevKit with an external (wired) antenna, snip the five dashed pins in the corner (adjacent to the text “© 2023 Thomas Grech”) as low as possible.
  5. Solder the ESP32-DevKitC, with the board on Side B. Pins for the ESP32 marked with a dash on Side A are unused and may be skipped or if not already, snipped.
  6. Solder the red LED (5mm / 2.1V), with the LED on Side B. The LED’s anode (typically the longer lead) should be on the side facing the resistor RU1.
  7. Snip the remaining leads from the resistor and LED beyond the solder point. Pliers or even nail clippers can work well.

DIY Case Setup

  1. If using an ESP32 DevKit with an external (wired) antenna, connect the antenna cable to the ESP32. When placing the PCB into the case, make sure the wire is routed through the cut out (to the left of the PCB when facing Side A)
  2. Place the PCB into the case with the orientation shown, with Side A facing towards you.
  3. Use three M2 x 5mm self tapping screws into holes H2, H3 and then H1, ideally in that order.
  4. If using an ESP32 DevKit with an external (wired) antenna, screw the SMA socket into the hole at the rear of the case, and secure it with the nut.