🔧 PiBerry 12 – Build Guide - PDF LINK

This quick guide will walk you through assembling your PiBerry 12 handheld. Ideal for anyone with a basic DIY background.

📦 What You’ll Need (Parts List)

• PiBerry 12 PCB

• Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (no header pre-installed)

• Waveshare 3.5" or HyperPixel 4.0 LCD

• BlackBerry Q20 Keyboard

• MicroSD card (16GB+ High Speed)

• LiPo Battery (JST 2.0, up to 3000mAh)

• USB-C cable (for power/flashing)

• Male GPIO headers

🛠️ Tools Required

• Soldering iron & solder

• Flux & tweezers

• Wire cutters

• Soldering wick (optional for cleanup)

• Heat gun (for header removal if needed)

• Kapton tape or other insulating tape

🏗️ Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Prepare the Display

• Waveshare 3.5”: Carefully remove the female GPIO header using heat and tweezers.

  • You may cut the metal forks and use as short male headers.

• HyperPixel 4.0: No header modification required.

⚠️ Avoid overheating the display edges—this can cause discoloration.

2. Test the Display Before Soldering

• Attach the Pi Zero to the display temporarily.

• Insert a flashed SD card and power on to check the screen.

  • A blank white screen = power is flowing.

  • Yellow tint = too much heat damage.

3. Solder the Display to the PCB

• Align and solder male GPIO headers from the display to the PiBerry PCB.

• Ensure pins are level and well-aligned.

4. Connect the Pi Zero 2W

You have 3 wiring options to connect Pi USB pads to the PCB:

1. Copper wires (simple, reliable)

2. Single GPIO pin headers

3. POGO spring-loaded headers

• Solder male headers to Pi and mount it flat on top of the display headers.

• Add tape (e.g. Kapton) between Pi and PCB to prevent short circuits.

5. Attach the Battery

• Match JST connector polarity:

  • Red = Positive (+)

  • Black = Negative (–)

⚠️ Reverse polarity can damage components. Swap pins if needed using tweezers.

6. Flash the Firmware (if needed)

• Connect PiBerry to PC via USB-C.

• Hold the “End Call” key while switching the power ON.

• Device will appear as "RPI-RP2".

• Drag and drop bbq20_via.uf2 firmware file onto it.

Get firmware here

7. Install an Operating System

• Use Raspberry Pi Imager to flash:

  • Kali Linux – cybersecurity tools

  • Raspberry Pi OS – general use

  • Buildroot/DietPi – lightweight setups

Optional: Install Display Drivers

• Waveshare 3.5”:

  git clone https://github.com/waveshare/LCD-show.git
  cd LCD-show
  chmod +x LCD35C-show
  ./LCD35C-show
  

• HyperPixel 4.0:
  Add to /boot/config.txt:

  dtoverlay=vc4-kms-dpi-hyperpixel4
  

✅ Powering On/Off

• Hold “End Call” for 5 seconds to shut down safely.

• Wait for the LED to turn off.

• Hold it again for 1 second to power on.

📞 Need Help?

• Email: support@carboncomputers.us

• Discord: CyberArch Community