Hacking Hardware Picofly - a HWFLY switch modchip

[linuxares]

Im not able to solder just want to know if it runs and where to buy it so i can ask to a friend to see this thread and sokder it on my switch oled.
Anyone can answer to me,please?

RP2040-Zero on Google
Well yes? Since Mariko can boot, they all can boot.

 

[BlownUpTurtle]

What kind of flat cable is this? Where do I get it from?
tnx

Its a CPU flex cable that originally came with the SX Core/Lites and now the HwFly's.
You can buy these on their own from AliExpress, just be prepared for a 1-6 weeks wait.

 

[jkyoho]

What kind of flat cable is this? Where do I get it from?
tnx

THAT's v1 SX cable, slight different from V2 or newer model flex

 

[Saliciae]

Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

 

[brecht6]

Hi, do these resistors work? they are 47 ohm so they should right?

 

[binkinator]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

The breakaway is so damn clever!

 

[Modzvilleusa]

Are you going to make an installation video at some point?

rendering now. will post here.
Should be up in an hour or so and will self destruct in a week or so.
It's nothing fancy and not noob friendly. I made it expecting the viewer to be familiar with a traditional modchip install and it's mostly focused on the nuances of doing the picofly install specifically.

Post automatically merged: Mar 21, 2023

View attachment 360542
Hi, do these resistors work? they are 47 ohm so they should right?

You want smd resistors. Those are too big.

 

[binkinator]

View attachment 360542
Hi, do these resistors work? they are 47 ohm so they should right?

Yes, they will do. You sure you don’t want some nice flat SMD resistors In a 1206 package? about the same difficulty and will lie flat and look much better.

Post automatically merged: Mar 21, 2023

You want smd resistors. Those are too big.

oh. You don’t thing they could be pushed over to lay flat?

 

[BlownUpTurtle]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

I'm excited to see these become a reality! Should make for a much cleaner install!

 

[brecht6]

You want smd resistors. Those are too big.

So this should be better?

 

[l7777]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

Nice work. What about a ribbon or some other connector for the USB portion rather than the breakaway?

 

[billybobxxx]

I have tested only the left one. You can try

When you say isolate do mean wire must be isolated or the mosfet chip itself? Thanks

 

[Dee87]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

this is really awesome man cant wait for it to be released

 

[Modzvilleusa]

View attachment 360546
So this should be better?

Yes those should be fine.
If you do stuff like this often, I'd recommend getting some Resistor + Capacitor books on aliexpress. I find myself using them all the time.

 

[Dee87]

this is gonna be the way im gonna go for now .
till we get a smaller board

 

[Saliciae]

Nice work. What about a ribbon or some other connector for the USB portion rather than the breakaway?

I considered it, I'm still thinking about it, but FFC connectors are harder to solder with an iron (easier to melt than passives or the rp2040), add thickness and add cost. The 1.27mm jumpers allow for it to be reconnected for updating, could use a 1.27mm right angle header which is reasonably compact.

 

[Phantomas77]

this is gonna be the way im gonna go for now .
till we get a smaller board

View attachment 360549

Still it didn't fit under the metallic shell without cutting a window after removing the two buttons, USB port and the LDO?

 

[rehius]

When you say isolate do mean wire must be isolated or the mosfet chip itself? Thanks

oh, on that picture the capacitor is removed to use its top pad as GND. so to prevent its bottom pad from touching the mosfet belly, you need isolate it.

Post automatically merged: Mar 21, 2023

Still it didn't fit under the metallic shell without cutting a window after removing the two buttons, USB port and the LDO?

it fit for me

 

[BigHorse420]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

It has the 47 ohm resistors integrated as well as the glitch timing reset jumper, but most importantly all the thick components are on a section that breaks off after programming. A set of 1.27mm jumpers are provided to reconnect the usb, vreg and button section for updates. The concept is that the jumpers are only soldered into the usb board and is held on the contacts on the lower board for the duration of the update.
As it stands the thickest component is the (optional) flat flex connector for the HWFLY flex cable, the current connector is 2mm tall because that's one i've got in the parts drawers. I've been eyeing up thinner ones too. Fortunately the important pins on the HWFLY cpu flex is symmetrical so the pinout should be correct no matter what.
Total dimensions are ~18mm x ~21mm after the usb section has been detatched, This can also be ordered on a thin pcb to keep overall thickness as slim as possible, I tried to make this board as compact as feasible without making it difficult to install
This uses 0402 components making hand assembly a challenge but not impossible for someone experienced with electronics.

This is still being worked on, i havent got the routing done yet, only placement. Once it's complete (and tested) I'll release the kicad files and gerbers onto GitHub for everyone to use, build and improve upon. I dont have the bandwidth or will to sell these myself TBH. I'm busy enough as is haha.

Keen to take feedback from people, I know my work cant be perfect but i'd like to make this as good as possible

How about combining it with the flex cable into a single pcb?

 

[linuxares]

View attachment 360539
Been working on this today to hopefully simplify this install for people

Wait... you made this in a DAY?!
You circutboard people are bonkers fast