May 27 : Planning

(A rugged, offline GPS device for hikers, bikers, and adventurers.)

So the thing was I needed a GPS logger for my cycling expeditions (I go like 50kms) and I didn't have a personal phone...so I decided to build the PiTracker

Sat down and decided on the key features:

Real-time location from GPS module.

Offline maps displayed on the touchscreen.

Log and export routes as GPX files.

Fully portable with battery power.

Also first list of components:

USB GPS module (U-blox Neo-6M).

MicroSD card for storing map tiles.

RPI 5 (4gb) / RPI 4 (4gb)

3.5in TFT Touchscreen for RPI

Time Spent ~ 2hrs

May 26: Modeled the First PiTracker Enclosure

Finished the first version of the 3D enclosure for the PiTracker today!

Designed it in TinkerCAD(lol), and exported the STL (attached below). The enclosure is made to fit the Raspberry Pi 3B+ along with the 3.5" TFT screen on top.

Design Highlights:

Cutouts for USB, HDMI, audio jack, and SD card
Slots for airflow (still might need more)
Mounting space for GPS module and battery (will do that next)
Simple slide or screw-together design (haven’t finalized yet)

3D Model preview

Attached:
rpi 3b+ case.stl

Next up:
Modify to fit extra parts and airflow — might tweak the tolerances and screen angle after that.

Super hyped to see it come together physically (virtually) soon!

Time Spent ~ 2.5hrs

May 29: Wiring Diagram in Fritzing

Session 2

Used Fritzing today to map out all the wiring for the PiTracker. Super helpful to have everything visual before starting to connect real hardware.

Wiring (will add Fritzig or smthing later): - Power:

Raspberry Pi powered via micro USB

TFT and GPS powered from Pi's 5V and GND

3.5" SPI TFT Display (Waveshare):

MOSI → GPIO10 (Physical Pin 19)

MISO → GPIO9 (Pin 21) (not always used for display only)

SCLK → GPIO11 (Pin 23)

CS → Any free GPIO (e.g. GPIO8, Pin 24)

DC (D/C) → Any GPIO (e.g. GPIO25, Pin 22)

RESET → Any GPIO (e.g. GPIO27, Pin 13)

VCC → 5V (Pin 2 or 4)

GND → GND (Pin 6 or any GND)

NEO-6M GPS Module:

VCC → 5V (Pin 2 or 4)

GND → GND (Pin 6 or any GND)

TX → GPIO15 (UART RX, Pin 10)

RX → GPIO14 (UART TX, Pin 8)

Next step: Fritziggg!.

Time Spent ~ 1.5hrs

## May 27: Finalized the PiTracker Enclosure for Pi 4B**

Session 1

Big session today — I scrapped the original Pi 3B+ design and rebuilt the entire enclosure from scratch to support the Raspberry Pi 4B.

The new layout took a while to get right, but I’m finally happy with the design!

Final Design Features:

Custom fit for the Pi 4B, accounting for changes in port positions (USB-C, dual micro HDMI, etc.)
Adjusted dimensions and internal supports to fit the new board layout
Cutouts for:
- USB-C power
- Dual micro HDMI
- Audio jack
- USB ports + Ethernet
- microSD card
Top shell redesigned to hold the 3.5" TFT screen securely and flush
Side vent slots for airflow (might add fan mount in v2)
GPS module mount added inside with wire clearance
Snap-fit design for flexibility during assembly
Routed space internally for jumper wire clearance and powerbank mount

3D Model preview

Attached https://csg.tinkercad.com/downloadExport?id=68dd55a4-21b2-4f8c-a2d9-896e78c4fcb8.stl&fileName=rpi%204b%20case.stl

Challenges:

The Pi 4B’s dual HDMI and USB-C port placement forced a full layout rethink
Making sure the screen didn’t block access to ports or GPIO pins took multiple test alignments
Had to recheck all mounting holes and tolerances — this version should be print-ready

This should be the final enclosure v1 unless the print throws surprises.

Time Spent ~ 4 hrs

May 29 : Wrote Out README

Session 2

Sat down and wrote the entire README (mostly complete)