Mod “Button Box”

The “Button Box” mod allows to connect up to 16 buttons though a small PCB. We can assign a specific function to each button (encoder, keyboard key).

Summary

  1. Shopping list
  2. Wiring
  3. The code
  4. 3D files

1) Shopping list

The “Button box” mod requires :

2) Wiring

The wiring is simple :

  • 5V/VCC goes to 5V
  • GND (ground) goes to ground
  • SDA goes to D2
  • SCL goes to D3
  • A0, A1, A2 go to ground.

3) The functions

Each button can perform a specific function. The list of functions is the same as for the mod button plate.

4) The code

If you want to check if the MCP23017 is correctly wired (powersupply, address…), you can check this code.

1 – Enable the mod ButtonBoxMod: replace //#define BUTTONBOX by #define BUTTONBOX

2 – Link each button to a function :

SRTButtonBox_ ButtonBox(1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1,

5) 3D files

There isn’t ! Why ? Because it is impossible to offer something that would suits everybody’s needs.

Two options :

  • Adjust an existing button box, you will easily find a lot of projects on internet.
  • Draw your own button box ! Si vous vous êtes lancé dans la fabrication de la boîte, vous serez déjà à l’aise avec l’impression 3D, pourquoi ne pas acquérir les bases du dessin sur ordinateur ?

Peut-être que je publierai un design de référence plus tard. Dans tous les cas : soudez des connecteurs dupont sur le PCB, cela permet de tester pleins de branchement sans consommer une carte à chaque test, et prévoyez un connecteur GX12 4 pin sur la button box pour pouvoir brancher et débrancher facilement la boîte.

I soldered the connectors on the schematics side to avoid any mistake.
The GX12 connector (well, GX16 here, I didn’t have GX12 left) allow to easily mount and unmount the box.
On the other side, there is a wire between A0, A1 and A2 that goes to the ground of the MCP23017 (A doesn’t mean analogic here).
I've been passionate about cars since I was a kid! I learned the multiple variations of the Skyline R34 through the Gran Tursimo series, until I discovered GTR2 at the wheel of a keyboard. A few years later, I plunged back into Sim Racing with a G27 which made me enter the DIY world. Always looking for an immersion out of reach in reality, I develop projects that I take care to make accessible to any 3D printer owner!
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