No gamer cave is complete without a retro gaming console and 8Bitdo Controllers are the best retro-gaming controllers you can buy. These controllers are simply that good. But there is nothing worse than rushing downstairs eager to play the newest game with your favourite 8BitDo Controller, turning on all the systems a go, plonking yourself onto your most comfy couch, performing one last warm-up stretch before committing yourself to a serious gaming session ONLY to find out your controller needs to be charged! Arrrrggghhh!
Well I have the remedy for you today, a dedicated Recharge Dock for your 8BitDo Controller. Whether you have an 8BitDo Pro 2, 8BitDo SN30 Pro, 8BitDo SN30 Pro , or 8BitDo M30 Controller I have a 3D Printable Recharging Dock for you. These will all work in combination with the USB-C cable that comes with the 8BitDo Controller so no extra hardware needs to be purchased. All the designs are available here, check the bottom of the page for links. So dust off that 3D printer (or keep it cranking and find the time to sneak this print in) and put these designs to good use.
These Charge Docks turns the action of plugging in your controller to power up a smooth one-handed operation, one that you can even perform with your eyes closed. The Charge Dock will also provide a dedicated location for your 8BitDo Controller to exist in your life. Thus with a little bit of muscle memory to consistently drop it into the Charge Dock you will never run into that dreaded scenario of sitting and waiting for your controller to charge (or reverting back to true retro and turning your state-of-the-art wireless controller into an old-school wired one). See below for the contents of this guide.
- Close Up on all the Designs
- Settings Used For 3D Printing
- General Assembly
- Future Designs
- Download Location
All the Charge Docks are designed to be sturdy and last a long time. Once you find your optimal position I would recommend using double-sided tape to secure them safely to the table.
Will a Charge Dock here work with an 8BitDo Pro 2 Controller? It absolutely does!
Links to the STL files for all designs are found at the bottom of this page. As always if you have any questions, queries or things to add please let us know your thoughts!
Close Up of All the Designs
- 8BitDo Pro 2 and 8BitDo SN30 Pro Charge Dock Design
- 8BitDo Pro Charge Dock Design
- 8BitDo M30 Charge Dock Design
Settings Used For 3D Printing
Ultimaker Cura (which is the open-source 3D printer slicing software created by Ultimaker) was the printing program used, learn all about it here. These docks have been successfully printed using the Normal, Fast, and Visual settings for PLA. I use a Wall thickness of 5 and 20% Infill. Printing it like this with PLA makes for a proper sturdy dock. I have also printed a dock using CPE for an even stronger version. Below is a screenshot of the two parts of the 8BitDo Pro Charge Dock orientated in Cura. This is the orientation that I 3D printed these models in. I also used a brim to improve the adhesion. Each 3D printer has different optimal settings and a great place to learn how to dial in any 3D printer can be found at the guide Improving 3D Printed Models.
General Assembly
All of these Charge Docks are made up of two parts (except for the blue dock which has a little extra embellishment printed to give it the two-tone colour. It isn't necessary for functionality but I have attached the files below so you can do this too if so desired). Below you can see one opened up. No glue is required to make them fit firmly together it is just sturdy press fits. Start by pressing the USB-C through the hole on the top plate until the plastic is flush with the top. On the 8BitDo M30 Charge Dock push the USB-C a little bit further so it sits around 4.5mm proud of the top plate.
Using the 3D printers here the design makes sure that the USB-C plug fits snug straight off the print platform. Due to print variations with 3D printers you may need to file the hole ever so slightly larger or wrap a small amount of tape around the plastic of the USB-C to ensure this snug fit. Once happy you can then press the two parts together. Make sure not to clip the edge of the USB wire when doing so. Below you can see the back of the design and the process of pressing the two parts closed together.
Below is some images of them all assembled without controllers, Left dock is for the 8BitDo SN30 Pro , the Middle dock is for 8BitDo SN30 Pro and the Right dock is for 8BitDo M30. Each of them is a different size so make sure when you 3D print them to 3D print the right one for your controller. Also the 8BitDo Pro Charge Dock has a little red topper embellishment which is not necessary (but it does look fresh). I printed it separately and superglued it to the top. Once assembled all you need to do now is plug in that USB-C cord to power and dock your controller.
Future Designs
I have been considering a number of potential future designs. For example, those of you who have multiple controllers and want a whole docking extravaganza I would like to create similar designs that will work with 2, 3, and 4 controllers cleanly and with all controllers being charged. Below is just a speedy prototype visualisation of this dock idea. Currently, with this design, you cannot stack them behind each other in a row as the USB cord would run into the front of the one behind. With a little computer crafting in CAD I could definitely create Charge Dock variations that accommodate multiple controllers as a single unit. Pop me a message and I’ll do it. Also if anyone has accurate computer models of 8BitDo Controllers that they are happy to send to me I would very much appreciate it. Given the time I may end up reverse-design-engineering the controllers using photogrammetry. With accurate CAD models of the controllers I would be able to these Charge Dock designs to next level cool.
Download Files
Good design goes to Heaven and bad design goes everywhere. Help us by giving your input about your experiences with these Charge Docks. Links to the STL files for all designs are attached below.
