This section describes one possible example of assembling a complete scoring device. The end result will look similar to below pictures. The exact dimensions will depend on the plastic container you use.

What you need

• Plastic box with transparent lid (I use a transparent plastic organizer box with the following dimensions: 25cm X 14cm X 5cm)

• Plywood (240x140x4 mm) (size depends on the exact dimensions of your container)

• 2x piece of wood (18x26x120 mm)

• (super) Glue

• Black paint

• 8mm drill (to drill connector holes)

• 3mm drill (for the mounting holes in the plywood)

• zip ties or mounting screws

• PCB (see) or use an experimentation breadboard

• Electronics components:

  • ESP32 Development module 30 pins (buy one with USB-C connector)
  • 5 x 470 Ohm resistors
  • 2 x 33 Ohm resistors
  • 1 x 1k Ohm resistor
  • 1 npn transistor e.g. BC337
  • 2x 100nF decoupling capacitors
  • 2x 470uF electrolytic capacitors
  • 1 wire (0 Ohm resistor)
  • 1 Piëzo buzzer (with built-in oscillator DC powered)
  • 2x WS2812B-64 led matrix
  • MAX7219 Dot matrix Module 4-in-1 LED Display module (Optional)
  • 7x banana female connectors
  • Optional but highly recommended:XH2.54 Cable Plug combinations: 3pins, 5 pins, 7 pins

• A USB cable + power adapter (at least 5V-1A, 2A preferred)

Assemble the main PCB

See for detailed pictures At this point, program the ESP32. (see detailed instructions)

Prepare baseboard

In my case I had to chamfer the corners a bit to fit the board into the container. Indicate where to drill holes for mounting modules and wire pass through. I recommend you make a template and use a pin to punch little starting points in the plywood. Clearly mark where you will have to drill the holes.

Drill the holes:

Optionally: paint the board black

MAX7219 Dot matrix Module:

Some modules come with a little 5 pins header mounted. Unsolder it such that you can directly solder the 5 cables as shown in the images. (you may have to temporarily remove one led module to be be able to reach the pins)

Tie the module with zip ties to the carrier board. Insert one tie through the PCB, then through the carrier board, and then use an other tie to close the connection from the bottom:

Mount the WS2812B led modules

First, insert the wire leads of the xh2.54 female connectors through the base board such that the connector is at the back side of the board. Solder the wires to the modules such that they are not visible. Some panels (depending on e.g. the length of wires) show some random startup behaviour. If that is the case for your panel add a 10k pull-down resistor between V- and Din. In most cases this solves the problem.

Using zip ties (or nuts and bolts), mount the modules onto the carrier board. I insert little plastic spacers between the carrier board and the 8x8 lights panels as they are much thinner than the text 8x8x4 module.

These are children's toys you can find at e.g. IKEA:PYSSLA Beads

Mount the buzzer

Use Zip ties of nuts and bolts to mount the buzzer on the carrier board

Mount the main PCB to the back of the carrier board

Using zip ties (or nuts and bolts), mount the main pcb onto the back side of carrier board: Before tightening everything, solder the leads of the buzzer to the PCB.

Prepare container

Use a template to indicate where to drill holes for the banana connectors, and then drill 8mm holes. Then insert the banana connectors and solder the XH2.54 leads to it as shown in the image below:

Make a hole to pass the USB cable through, and connect the USB cable to the ESP32 board. Now drill some holes to attach the spacers between the container and the carrier board, and using screws attach them as shown on the pictures below.

Connect the remaining XH2.54 cable (the one coming from the banana connectors) to the main PCB. now glue the carrier board on top of the spacers. (Depending on the type of glue you used you may have to use a clamp for some time until the glue has completely settled).

You're all set! Close the lid and start using your scoring device. When you power the device, it will show P-500.