The electronics setup looks awesome! How long overall did it take you to put the electronics together?
dogb Boba Fett ROTJ Hero Build Thread
- Thread starter dogbertwrldrulr
- Start date
Sorry in advance for the long response...
I doodled it on a notepad over a week or so. It went through a couple of design revisions mostly in relation to what I want powered and if I wanted to double up on some power runs (like having both fans run off the same wire pair) or keep them separate.
Parts selection was another 2-3 days as I had to line everything up in terms of voltages and sizes. Had to order multiples of several pieces and return what I didn't like. I also tried to make it so that things used different connectors or colors of connectors so you can't screw up what goes where. That added another layer of complexity on the parts selection and caused me to re-order a number of thins as I progressed.
Once it got to ordering and assembly, that was about a week or so, mostly because I tested each pieces as it came in (lots of amazon orders) and made some additional changes. I also stopped to create a spreadsheet of all of the to-froms for the wires so I could track what goes where and had an easy sheet to use for testing and verification (I beeped out all runs prior to initial powerup). The first version was put together across about 2-3 days, mostly evenings. I had to reorder some things as I miscounted or changed my mind during assembly (RCA cables were the biggest offender here). Electrically the first revision worked, but I ran into several issues, mostly with the standoffs and the cracking plastic as the standoffs did not line up well and I overtightened them, cracking the plastic even more.
I sat on the first version for a couple of weeks just to look at it and see what I didn't like. It was pretty obvious and finding new pieces wasn't too hard. The biggest change was the audio FX board as I then had to sew buttons into some inner gloves that I picked up so I can transfer the buttons between costumes easily. I also had to figure out how to operate the board.
The assembly of the second version took a couple of days (this past Friday/Saturday) because I only had a couple hours a day. I used the old plastic plates to drill some holes, but then had to mount the pieces and match drill others, then take them off to drill the next, then put them back on, and so forth. I did this as I moved a few things just a hair for more room. Once that was done, I picked better spots for all of the standoffs and then took everything off again and put the plates flat together and drilled the standoff holes in one sitting so they line up perfectly. The slider switches were a bit of a pain, mostly because I didn't have screws for them (M2s) and I don't want to glue them in. Got those in this AM and finished up just after lunch. Ran it through a full test with everything plugged in and connected to make sure that I don't overload my power bank and it worked great. New interrupt switches work good and the multi-input on my personal amp worked great with the default sounds on the FX board. Just need to replace those with proper Fett sounds and it's good to go.
dogbertwrldrulr
Some great work has been done thus far!
Your Big Dane JP Harness, reminds me to get mine all fitted and sewn up too.
Best,
-Iron
Yeah, it looks like it won't take much so I am no rush. I just don't want to find a friend to help sew one part, then wait until the pack arrives and have to go back to them for more sewing.
Man I really need to get a big Dane JP harness.
dogbertwrldrulr honestly this hobby is what pushed me to finally learn how to sew, and it is such a great skill. It only took one 15-minute youtube tutorial before I was altering my old flightsuit. It also came in handy with my Jetpack harness. Once you figure out how to thread the machine, it's as simple as pushing the foot pedal.
If buying a sewing machine is the obstacle though then that's understandable. Singers go on sale on Amazon quite often though, I think I got mine for $90.
Also - your audio setup looks awesome, and it sounds like you are very knowledgeable in the subject. Would you consider ever doing runs of those? People are always looking for audio solutions in this hobby.
dogbertwrldrulr honestly this hobby is what pushed me to finally learn how to sew, and it is such a great skill. It only took one 15-minute youtube tutorial before I was altering my old flightsuit. It also came in handy with my Jetpack harness. Once you figure out how to thread the machine, it's as simple as pushing the foot pedal.
If buying a sewing machine is the obstacle though then that's understandable. Singers go on sale on Amazon quite often though, I think I got mine for $90.
Also - your audio setup looks awesome, and it sounds like you are very knowledgeable in the subject. Would you consider ever doing runs of those? People are always looking for audio solutions in this hobby.
Thank you for the kind words!
Yeah, I think I just need to learn how to sew. I am working my backup costume too and it requires a decent bit of sewing as well (TX Death Trooper). I think my MIL has a machine she doesn't use so I may get that and teach myself. Would help with my normal life too as I have 2 girl scouts that earn a crazy amount of badges.
As for the electronics, I want to see how they work in my suit first. I have lots of good ideas, but the cable routing may end up being a mess and take too much time. I'll have to see when the soft goods come in.
Also, fun story time!
I live by Disney world and my family are annual pass holders. We got to attend a special preview yesterday (7/13/25) for a refurbished ride that is opening soon (EPCOT Test Track). As we are in line, I pass a couple who are wearing obvious 501st Legion shirts, and Makaze Squad shirts at that (the squad I would be in). I stop to say hello and that I am currently a recruit working my costume. They were super gracious and said hello and informed me that that couple is the CO for my garrison (Florida) and the Makaze squad leader. They are a married couple and were super cool! I got to inform them too that I started my journey because I was eating dinner with some friends the day before Star Wars Day (5/3/25) and at the next table over were 6 501st members. I said hello and it turns out that was the Garrison CO, Makaze Squad Leader, Squad XO (I think), and a PR officer. They gave me the info that got me to the forums, then the recruit pages, and here I am!
Small world!
I live by Disney world and my family are annual pass holders. We got to attend a special preview yesterday (7/13/25) for a refurbished ride that is opening soon (EPCOT Test Track). As we are in line, I pass a couple who are wearing obvious 501st Legion shirts, and Makaze Squad shirts at that (the squad I would be in). I stop to say hello and that I am currently a recruit working my costume. They were super gracious and said hello and informed me that that couple is the CO for my garrison (Florida) and the Makaze squad leader. They are a married couple and were super cool! I got to inform them too that I started my journey because I was eating dinner with some friends the day before Star Wars Day (5/3/25) and at the next table over were 6 501st members. I said hello and it turns out that was the Garrison CO, Makaze Squad Leader, Squad XO (I think), and a PR officer. They gave me the info that got me to the forums, then the recruit pages, and here I am!
Small world!
It is a small world! And a great community by and large
