PSX/PS2 Adapter Assembly #87
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Following the guide, I am confident I have my wiring done right. But when I plug it in and boot up the PS2 the red LED on the ESP32 is dim and I cannot get BlueRetro to connect in the Web Config. I'm thinking something is up with the power and not enough is getting through to the ESP32 somehow since the light is dim. Currently, I am just using the 8V on the PS controller and connecting that to the 5V on the DB25 (so 2x PS 8V connected to a single 5V) -- that was I how i interpreted the below: Am I doing something wrong? I feel like i'm missing something simple 😬 |
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Replies: 7 comments 38 replies
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Try wiring only one of the 8V? What ESP32 board are you using? |
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To clarify: you mean connect multimeter test leads to 8V pin and GND pin of the PSX/PS2 controller pinout when console is turned on and PSX/PS2 controller is plugged into console? |
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Yes but nothing connected besides your cable |
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Confirming I get 8V using the multimeter (picture below). Also tried wiring only one of the 8V but still getting the same issue (not found in Web Config and dimmer LED than USB power).
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Ok, you validated the 8v endup on the esp32 5V input? Is the regulator on the devkitc a AMS1117-3.3? (the 4 pins transitor), You could have a board with a fake one too. Maybe try to buy the same board from digikey. |
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Yes have confirmed that 8V is also present at the ESP32 5V pin. I have a few other boards lying around (not 32D DevKitC, but other variants of of ESP32 WROOM 32x) so I will try flashing these and trying again. I’ll also grab another 32D DevKitC board as you suggested :) |
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Remove the 8V connection and power from usb cable, does it work? |
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Not sure if this is relevant, but I’m using PS2 controller extension cables (like the ones in the picture below) in my build rather than PS2 controllers
My intuition says this shouldn’t affect anything but thought I’d check just in case this might be causing the issue! |
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Update: using 3.5V pin instead of 8V on PS2 controller pinout to connect to 5V pin 7 on DB25 gives me a FULL LED light as opposed to a dim light that I was getting with the 8V -- but I am still not able to find it in the Web Config. Do you think this implies the onboard LDO (AMS1117-3.3) is faulty/fake -- I know you mentioned this before. I have tried this with two boards, so I think the probability that both are faulty is likely to be low. |
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Yeah extension is what everyone use, don't break real controller!! If they are from same manufacturing batch they likely same source. Maybe focus on getting it work with usb power, this has the benefit of outputting logs, see https://github.com/darthcloud/BlueRetro/wiki/Getting-BlueRetro-debug-logs-via-Serial-port-Windows-10 Get the log so we can see what's going on. |
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Here are the logs for the PSX/PS2 adapter. I turn on the console, pair a PS4 controller, try and use it, then turn off the console. |
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For reference, here are the logs for the GC adapter which works (I perform the same actions as I did for PS2). |
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I have been doing a little more experimentation today and thought i summarize my findings: The majority of the time, this is the observed behavior:
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Occasionally, Step 3 changes and instead of it recognizing PS2 console it will recognize SNES: |
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Update: Based on the behavior I saw above, I decided to double-check my wiring between DB25 and ESP32 -- I did find one wrong connection and upon fixing I now consistently get: I now also get stable connection with PS4 controller (no error dump). However, still no response from console. I believe this is because proper system detection is not occuring -- it is detecting |
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Use the hardcoded PSX FW, if that work then you got some detection pin floating. If hardcoded dont work, wiring is not ok. |
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yeah the PSX FW doesn't work 😕 the logs show a lot of repeated lines: i'm pretty stumped -- have checked continuity all pinout of P1 and P2 controller cable |
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so PSX pin 6 is connected on I34 on esp32? For detecting PC-FX that would means I34 is not properly connected. |
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No problem, really appreciate all the time, tips and suggestions! Will attempt to simply get PSX FW working :) I will also try some different extension cables |
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I have attempted PSX FW specific build (13 wires total: 2x GND, 1x 8V, 10x DATA connected directly to ESP32 board). With USB power, controller pairs but no response from console (logs look OK, no errors). Without USB power, device not found in Web Config and no pairing. All pins have 3.5V except for pin 3 which has 8V when checked with multimeter (not sure if this is relevant/useful) I have also tried different extension cables but the same problems persist. Is it possible my PS2 might not be compatible with BlueRetro?! |
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I think it's unlikely, next step would be to make it single plug. Also check continuity of each connection with multimeter "beep mode". Very often cable are broken inside the sleeve. Keep all cable <= 1 feet max. But yeah if you can try another PS2 or a PS1 that would help. |
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Testing voltage at the pins of ESP32 I noticed something strange: When PSX 8V (pin 3) is not connected to ESP32 it reads 8V as expected. However, as soon as it is connected to 5V pin on ESP32 it reads 1.8V. Is this expected behavior? It may explain why the red LED is so dim since it appears it is only receiving 1.8V. I have replaced all wires with 1" ones and tested continuity and all is OK |
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Not normal, but again you should unconnected 8V and run with USB power until you figure the fault. |
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When you say: Are you referring the the PS2 extension cables?! |
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Could be the problem, but at the same time that wouldn't give you 8v issues. |
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Cutting extension cables <1 ft, connecting directly the 7 wire on ESP32 and using USB power I can now get the PS4 controller to pair and work on the console! (PSX FW specific) |
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The issue with 8V still remains though (as you correctly predicted!). Here are some observations:
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I think the power regulator of your board cant handle 8V. Glad you got it working somehow! 👍 |
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Would you suggest grabbing a few other ESP32 boards from different sources to see ifI happen upon one has a power regulator that can handle it? Digikey is out of stock currently. Or do you have another ESP32 supplier that you know can handle the PS2 8V? |
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The thing is official one are out of stock and with the IC shortage worldwide I feel other source are likely putting whatever. Possible you get a better one, maybe not. |
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Got it, makes sense! Again, thank you for being patient and helping me troubleshoot, it's much appreciated and I learnt a lot |
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@darthcloud just an update: i managed to get some official boards from digikey (ESP32-DEVKITC-32E) but the power issue is still persisting (i.e. need USB power for BlueRetro to work, rather than 8V from the PSX adapter) |
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This affect only a specific console? Like is PS2 or another PSX fine? Ultimately you could try power it from 3.3v pin on psx connector to esp 3.3v directly and see if that work. |
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i have only tried this with a single PS2 console (i don't have any others unfortunately!) ah that's a good idea! i will try 3.3v psx pin to esp 3.3v direct power and see if that works |
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@darthcloud this fixed the problem! 🎉 |
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ok weird maybe your console got 8V supply issue but good you got it working somehow still! :) |
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@darthcloud just an update: i managed to get some official boards from digikey (ESP32-DEVKITC-32E) but the power issue is still persisting (i.e. need USB power for BlueRetro to work, rather than 8V from the PSX adapter)