Introduction: Modifiy Taigen Airsoft Firing Unit for Raspberry Pi

By Black Magic AI
About: "I'm so full of ideas and here's a good one..." Here I go again creating another prototype and proof of concept for one of my ideas from the Black Magic AI idea factory.

Schematic is based on schematic from http://openpanzer.org/wiki/doku.php?id=wiki:tcb:tcbinstall:airsoft

"This schematic shows the difference in wiring between stock and modified"

Step 1: Parts Needed

  • Taigen Airsoft Firing Unit
    • Vendor: imex-model.com
    • Part #: TAG120614
    • Qty: 1
    • Unit Cost: $9.59
    • Total: $9.59
  • Picon Zero - Intelligent Robotics Controller for Raspberry Pi
    • Vendor: shop.pimoroni.com
    • Part #: 4TR-PICONZ
    • Qty: 1
    • Unit Cost: $17.6
    • Total: $17.6
  • Raspberry Pi Zero WH (pre-soldered)
    • Vendor: shop.pimoroni.com
    • Part #: RPI-025
    • Qty: 1
    • Unit Cost: $14.32
    • Total: $14.32

Step 2: Tools Needed

  • Mini Philips Screwdriver
  • Needle Nose pliers
  • Wire Cutters
  • A soldering Iron and solder
  • Wire stripper

Step 3: Remove the Motor Wiring Cover From Firing Unit

Remove the screw from the motor wiring cover and remove the motor wiring cover completely from the Airsoft firing unit

Step 4: Remove Extra Wiring From the Negative Motor Wiring Harness

Untwist the additional (unconnected) Red and Black wires from the electric motor negative terminal black wire. Be careful not to remove the black wire connected to the negative terminal of the electric motor.

Then use wire cutters to cut the black electric motor negative terminal wire from the 3-pin connector. Use wire cutters to cut a 3" piece of the black wire from the Red/Black twisted wire pair and discard the remainder of the Red/Black twisted wire pair and 3-pin connector.

Step 5: Strip and Tin the 3" Black Wire From the Previous Step

Use the wire strippers to remove about 1/8" insulation from both ends of the 3" inch black wire from the previous step. Tin the exposed wire in preparation for soldering it in the next step.

Step 6: Solder One End of the 3" Black Wire to the Negative Terminal of the Airsoft Motor

Use the soldering iron to solder one end of the 3" tinned black wire from the previous step to the negative terminal of the Airsoft electric motor. Be careful not to remove the black wire already soldered to the electric motor negative terminal.

Step 7: Solder the Free End of the 3" Black Wire to the Negative Terminal of the Airsoft Limit Switch

Use the soldering iron to solder the free end of the 3" black wire from the previous step to the negative (black) terminal of the Airsoft firing unit limit switch. Be careful not to remove the black wire already soldered to the limit switch.

Step 8: Repalce the Electric Motor Wire Harness Cover and Secure With Screw

Replace the electric motor wire harness cover removed in step 3 and secure in place with the wire harness cover screw. Ensure that the wires from the electric motor Red (positive) and Black (negative) terminals are routed correctly under the cover and are not pinched.

Step 9: Strip and Tin Electric Motor Wires

Strip about 3/16" of wire insulation from the Red and Black electric motor wires and tin them with the soldering iron to prepare them to be inserted into the Picon Zero board motor output screw block.

Step 10: Connect Airsoft Firing Unit Wire to the Picon Zero/Raspberry Pi W Board Assembly

Connect the Red (Positive) Airsoft firing unit electric motor wire to the first hole in the Motor A screw terminal block on the Picon Zero board.

Connect the Black (Negative) Airsoft firing unit electric motor wire to
the second hole in the Motor A screw terminal block on the Picon Zero board.

Use a piece of 3" (75mm) Male/Male Jumper Wire to connect the Red wire of the limit switch 2-pin connector and then connect the other end of the 3" (75mm) Male/Male Jumper Wire to the G17 pin of the Picon Zero board.

Step 11: Clone the Repo and Run the Software to Shoot the Airsoft Firing Unit

Clone this github repository onto the SD card of your Raspberry Pi W or Raspberry Pi 3 Model B and follow the instructions in the github repository README to test the Airsoft firing unit.