Custom Wireless Gamepad | DIY keyboards

The Bluefruit EZ-Key HID keyboard controller is a bluetooth breakout design for making DIY keyboards and game pads and it doesn’t require any programing and works with just about any trigger or push button. It takes up to 12 inputs and can be powered with any 3-16 VDC.

The Perma-Proto comes in different sizes and is like a business card, which makes it perfect for making a small game controller.

Parts needed for this projects are available in the Adafruit shop and the components are Adafruit Perma-Proto Half-size breadboard PCB, Bluefruit EZ-Key, Micro Lipo w/Micro USB, 500mAh Lithium Polymer Battery, 6mm Buttons, 12mm Buttons and Slide switch. Other tools & Supplies needed are some hand tools, a soldering iron, 3D printer, wires and other maker tools and suppilies like 3D Printer, Soldering Iron, Wire cutters + stripper, 30AWG Silicone Coated wire, PLA+Semiflex filament (3mm/1.75mm) and Panavise Jr. + Helping third hands.

Figure 1: Gaming-two-pads

The circuit diagram is available on the website and also the procedure of 3d printing. The printing Parts can be printed in PLA or ABS filament. PLA material tends to have less warped corners and the controller buttons is printed out in TPE filament, which makes them flexible and rubbery. Further no support material is required for the parts.

After dealing with the power circuit, it is ready to use. The battery is charged and wonderfully played as the circuit is finished and project is assembled to play. But before that the battery is fully charged therefore plug in a micro USB cable to the lipo charger. The charger has an on-board LED indicator that lights green when the battery is fully charged and red LED indicates the battery is charging.

Bluefruit EZ-Key will automatically start searching for a device to pair with and the bluetooth enabled device should pick up the EZ-Key within a minute. The video, codes and step by step details are available on the adafruit website. Happy making.