CobraPin

CobraPin Pinball Controller

This page is under construction

Overview

CobraPin is a pinball controller designed to offer a basic all-in-one assembled affordable solution. It is intended to be hosted by a computer running the Mission Pinball Framework (MPF) and is based on the Open Pinball Project (OPP) It will be released to the public in 2021 on Kickstarter.

Features:

• 24 coil drivers for solenoids, flashers, motors, etc. Outputs are broken out into 3 banks of 8 outputs.
• 38 direct switch inputs <OR> 22 direct inputs and an 8x8 switch matrix
• Neopixel support for 512 RGB or RGBW LEDs
• 24-50V power filter. Board also provides the common ground for the supplies.
• Fuses for solenoid banks and Neopixels
• Easy replacement of at-risk components
  • Processor boards are socketed
  • Transistors can be removed with simple soldering tools and replaced with through-hole components
  • Fuse clips for common 5x20mm fuses

Future Hardware Plans

Expansion Board

An expansion board for CobraPin is planned, but not yet complete. It should support a lamp matrix, 8 additional coil outputs, and 8 additional direct inputs. The purpose of the expansion board is to make it easier for people to control existing machines with flashers and matrix controlled lamps

Segment Displays

While regular segment displays will not be supported by CobraPin, custom alphanumeric boards are planned. These will likely be controlled by the neopixel output although they will be mono color. Each segment will act as a neopixel channel. For example, a WPC89 16x2 character display would take at least 182 effective neopixels out of the 512 available on the CobraPin.

Wiring

Power Input

Power comes in to the board on two 4-pin 3.96mm pitch connectors. The default connectors are JST VH style. The pinout is labelled in silkscreen on the board.

J9: Coil power input (24-50V)

J10: Neopixel 5V input

Coil Power Output

The output power for the coils comes from a 3-pin 3.96mm JST VH style connector. These outputs are fused by F1, F2, and F3. Each pin provides an output for one of the coil banks. The pinout is labelled in silkscreen on the board.

J13: Coil power outputs

Coil Ouputs

The 24 coils are broken up into 3 banks of 8 outputs. The 3 9-pin 3.96mm connectors are JST VH style. There is a ninth pin on the connector that can be used as a key. That pin is marked by an asterisk in silkscreen. The coil outputs are labeled in silkscreen with the MPF compatible numbers.

Each coil output has a diode to help protect the transistor. You may still use coils with axial diodes installed, but you MUST ensure that you connect them with the correct polarity.

J6: Coil bank A outputs

J7: Coil bank B outputs

J8: Coil bank C outputs

Each bank has an LED next to it to indicate if that bank has power. Check these if you are concerned you have blown a fuse.

Each solenoid has an associated yellow LED to indicate it is being driven by the processor. It is highly recommended to test a new setup without high voltage power or without the coils plugged in. Using these LEDs, you can verify that each output is being driven correctly.

Switch Inputs

There are 5 9-pin 2.54mm pitch KF2510 style connectors for switches. The switch inputs are labeled in silkscreen with the MPF compatible numbers. Each connector also includes a logic ground pin. Use this for the direct input return. The two pins labeled “N/C” are not connected to anything.

J1, J2, J3: Direct input switches.

J4, J5: Remaining direct input switches <OR> switch matrix input/output.

Neopixel RGB LEDs

There are two neopixel chains that support 256 RGB pixels each for a total of 512. These outputs are on 2 3-pin 3.96mm JST VH connectors. RGBW pixels are also possible.

The J14 fused output can be used to provide additional power taps in a neopixel chain. This is a 4-pin 3.96mm JST VH style connector. Each pin is rated for 7A continuous. The fuse holder is rated for 10A. The red D25 LED can be used to confirm you have a good fuse (F4) and are providing power for neopixels.

J11, J12: Neopixel outputs

J14: Fused 5V output

USB

The two processor boards are connected to the host computer via two separate micro-USB cables.

MPF Configuration

It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you start your MPF game-making journey with the MPF Tutorial

For detailed MPF documentation, head over to MPF Docs

CobraPin specific info can be found here: CobraPin on MPF Docs

STM32 Programming and OPP Configuration

The firmware on the STM32 board exists in two parts: the base application and the OPP configuration. As delivered, the boards should be programmed and configured appropriately. But if you need to updated something or replace a processor board, this section is for you. The base application must be programmed with a separate programming device while the OPP configuration can be changed over USB via Python scripts.