PINE64
How to add an external power button? - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: How to add an external power button? (/showthread.php?tid=11043)



How to add an external power button? - foresto - 08-15-2020

Does the RockPro64 have header pins (or something similar) for an external power button? I would like to add such a button, since the on-board one can be difficult to use.

I see four holes at the corner of the board near the headphone jack. They're at the bottom right of this close-up view. One of those contacts is labeled PWR. Does that mean it's for delivering power, or will grounding it act like pressing the power switch? (The other contacts are labeled GND, REC, GND.)

If those holes are the contacts I need, what size header will fit them?

Is there a better way to do this?


RE: How to add an external power button? - SpoofyKid - 08-15-2020

(08-15-2020, 03:06 AM)foresto Wrote: Does the RockPro64 have header pins (or something similar) for an external power button? I would like to add such a button, since the on-board one can be difficult to use.

I see four holes at the corner of the board near the headphone jack. They're at the bottom right of this close-up view. One of those contacts is labeled PWR. Does that mean it's for delivering power, or will grounding it act like pressing the power switch? (The other contacts are labeled GND, REC, GND.)

If those holes are the contacts I need, what size header will fit them?

Is there a better way to do this?

Have you thought about simply unsoldering the current one andĀ either replacing it with another, or wiring it to a new location?

Another option is to bypass the power switch and but something like this to have an more external switch https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32942058069.html ?


RE: How to add an external power button? - Bullet64 - 08-15-2020

Look @ sheet 6 from 33 http://files.pine64.org/doc/rockpro64/rockpro64_v21-SCH.pdf

The four holes are power and reset. I use these Buttons for my NAS.


RE: How to add an external power button? - foresto - 08-15-2020

(08-15-2020, 05:36 AM)Bullet64 Wrote: Look @ sheet 6 from 33 http://files.pine64.org/doc/rockpro64/rockpro64_v21-SCH.pdf

The four holes are power and reset. I use these Buttons for my NAS.

CON16 on schematic page 6 looks promising. How do you know where it is on the board? Many board components are unlabeled, and I don't see a "CON16" label anywhere. Those four holes have labels, but one says "REC", which doesn't match anything on schematic page 6.

(08-15-2020, 03:37 AM)SpoofyKid Wrote: Have you thought about simply unsoldering the current one and either replacing it with another, or wiring it to a new location?

The thought crossed my mind, but I would prefer to avoid it if possible, especially while the warranty is still good.

(08-15-2020, 03:37 AM)SpoofyKid Wrote: Another option is to bypass the power switch and but something like this to have an more external switch https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32942058069.html ?

That's a neat find, but I want a button that will tell my OS to do a clean shutdown, like the on-board button does.


RE: How to add an external power button? - foresto - 09-08-2020

I used a multimeter to confirm that the innermost corner hole is connected to the on-board power button, and its neighbors to ground. I then soldered in a 2-pin header (2.54mm pitch) and used a matching jumper to attach a pushbutton switch. The NAS case has a hole for an IR receiver, but since I don't use one of those, I used the hole for the switch. M5 threads fit through the hole nicely.

Now I have an easy-to-see, easy-to-press, software-controlled, red power button. Mission accomplished. Smile


RE: How to add an external power button? - SpoofyKid - 09-08-2020

(09-08-2020, 01:57 PM)foresto Wrote: I used a multimeter to confirm that the innermost corner hole is connected to the on-board power button, and its neighbors to ground. I then soldered in a 2-pin header (2.54mm pitch) and used a matching jumper to attach a pushbutton switch. The NAS case has a hole for an IR receiver, but since I don't use one of those, I used the hole for a panel-mount switch. The M5 threads fit through the hole nicely.

Now I have an easy-to-see, easy-to-press, software-controlled, red power button. Mission accomplished. Smile

Would you have a picture for future reference is anyone wants to duplicate this?


RE: How to add an external power button? - foresto - 02-05-2021

(09-08-2020, 02:04 PM)SpoofyKid Wrote: Would you have a picture for future reference is anyone wants to duplicate this?

Several. I posted a thread about it.