MiSTer USB Hub and Fan Plate Case by ToddsNerdCave

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

I designed this as an alternative to expensive case's requiring the official USB hub and IO board.
This case holds a 30mm fan in the top and the popular Makerspot micro USB OTG hub in the bottom.
The fan is a press fit. Simply press it in all the way as friction holds it in place. It will be a snug fit. The bottom plate has mounts to secure down the USB Hub. The hub will be installed upside down so the cable exits the correct direction.
To complete the build, you need:
30mm 5v fan such as this one: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3368
MakerSpot Micro USB OTG Hub: https://www.amazon.com/MakerSpot-Accessories-Charging-Extension-Raspberry/dp/B01JL837X8?crid=11O028CEHSHU1&dchild=1&keywords=makerspot+micro+usb+otg+hub+for+raspberry+pi+zero&qid=1619813496&sprefix=makerspot+,aps,184&sr=8-3&linkCode=sl1&tag=toddgill0a-20&linkId=1883fda878ac27890898775d8841f0a7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
20mmx20mm heatsink for the FPGA on the DE10-nano: https://www.amazon.com/MakerSpot-Accessories-Charging-Extension-Raspberry/dp/B01JL837X8?crid=11O028CEHSHU1&dchild=1&keywords=makerspot+micro+usb+otg+hub+for+raspberry+pi+zero&qid=1619813496&sprefix=makerspot+,aps,184&sr=8-3&linkCode=sl1&tag=toddgill0a-20&linkId=1883fda878ac27890898775d8841f0a7&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
4 x m3x25mm screws
If you don't have the ability to print this, I also sell them at https://retrofrog.net/
Assembly:
Take off the clear acrylic plate and mounting hardware that ships on the DE10-Nano and put it aside as we won't use any of it. If you are using the optional SDram add-on for MiSTer make sure to install it now before proceeding. Next remove the protective film from the back of the heatsink exposing the sticky thermal tape and apply it to the large FPGA in the middle of the DE10-Nano. Make sure to center it on the chip with no overhangs.
Place the top plate on top of the DE10-nano board. There is a cut out to clear the ram board so the orientation is clear. The fan will come preinstalled in the top plate piece. Plug in the fan to the front IO pins for power. You have 2 options: 5v for high performance, but louder. 3.3v for lower cooling but virtually silent. Please see the pictures for details on where to plug it in. The red wire goes on the back row of pins closest to the fan.
Note: I have thermally tested this design for 24 hours continuously with both fan voltages and both are more than adequate to cool the DE10-Nano. I would choose the 3.3v option to reduce noise.
Add the bottom plate/Hub combo to the bottom of the DE10-Nano. Use the 4 supplied m3 x 25mm screws to secure the top and bottom plate together. Plug in the microUSB cable from the USB hub to the microUSB connector on the DE-10 Nano. This connector is on the same side as the ethernet jack. Apply the 4 rubber feet to the bottom of the case and you are done.