NucDeck Left Controller PCB

NucDeck

The Open Source DIY Handheld Gaming PC!

Refer to "NucDeck Assembly Instructions.PDF" for mechanical assembly details. Information for the electronics will be added once the controller PCB's are complete.

There are two different versions of the housing, Standard and NoRGB. The NoRGB version has had the RGB joystick surrounds removed to simplify printing. If you choose the NoRGB version you can leave all of the associated components off the PCB's to save on cost.

There are two different versions of the buttons, membrane and clicky. The Membrane buttons are shorter and are designed to be used with silicone membranes. I've included files for molds to make the membranes. If you have a resin printer I encourage you to give this a try as it improves the feel of the buttons dramatically. FDM printers will struggle to produce the accuracy required to make these parts. The clicky version is slightly taller and can be used without the membranes.

Total Cost of parts approximately: $311 USD

This is based on PCBway's pricing for the PCB's and is not including a NUC or any shipping charges. I've probably missed counting something so I would budget for a little more!

Here's a breakdown of the costs:

• Digikey parts: $55 USD
• PCB's (Set of 5 due to MOQ): $204 USD
• Aliexpress Parts: $52 USD

If you can organise a group of 5 people who want a set of PCB's, you will greatly reduce your total cost to build.

Project Status

• 3D Files
• Software: V1.0 ready for testing. Motion controls not yet implemented
• PCBs: Complete

Watch the series on Youtube as I design, build and test parts of this project:

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Episode 5
• Bonus Episode - Battery Life Testing
• Episode 6
• Episode 7
• Episode 8
• Episode 9

I've found links for all of the parts on Aliexpress since its probably the cheapest option and will ship worldwide.

Parts List

Display

Any 1024x600 50 Pin RGB Panel with overall dimensions no greater than 164.9x100x3.3mm. This is the 700nit IPS panel I ended up using: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005315348504.html

Display Driver

Pick the "PCB800812V1" option: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004252996145.html

USB Touch Controller

Pick option "USB Controller": https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32976239800.html

Capacitive Touch Panel

This is the seller I used, but anyone selling for the same model tablet (Pritom K7) should do: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002490383977.html

Joysticks

Joysticks are an Alps RKJX21224001. Here's a cheap seller on aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005264696228.html Joystick caps are Xbox One compatible.

Batteries

4x 605080 3000mah Lithium cells. Here's a cheap supplier on Aliexpress: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32990176071.html

Info Screen

0.96" IPS 80x160 ST7735 TFT Display

You need the one these guys refer to as "Spliced Type". https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001598020071.html

Threaded Inserts

Measurments are: Thread x OD x Length

17x M2x3.2x4

10x M3x5x5

2x M3x5x4

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003582355741.html

Standoffs

10x M2x6mm Male to Female Standoffs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001271908929.html

Trigger Springs

--NOTE-- Ignore the wire thickness in the Assembly Drawing, it is incorrect. I will fix it when I next need to make changes. Correct thickness listed here. These guys have a lot of different options, they are pretty cheap so I'd grab a few different wire thicknesses and test them out to see what you like. You need about 2mm ID on the coil section, so look for an ID of at least double the wire thickness greater than 2mm. I found 0.4mm to feel a bit too thin, and 0.7mm is about the limit of the trigger supports so 0.5-0.6mm is probably the sweet spot. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004968066601.html

Trigger Magnets

You'll never need fridge magnets again! https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003794726533.html

RGB Lights

You'll need both RGB LED's and WS2811 IC's if you're adding RGB to your controller PCB's. These are the LED's I used. Any alternative in the same sized package should be fine too, just be cautious of differing pin configurations. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003719602946.html

WS2811 IC's: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32844615804.html

Screws

Here's a list of the screws required for assembly. This list is also in the assembly instructions. SCHS is just a standard allen key head screw. CSK is a countersunk head screw. Most bolt suppliers should have these, otherwise ebay or aliexpress is your friend.

12x M3x6mm SHCS 2x M2x16 CSK 9x M2x5 CSK 14x M2x4 SHCS

4s Cell Balancer

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005827876691.html