Solderless printi mini

Make your own: solderless printi mini (relatively easy)

Using these instructions you will be able to build your own printi mini, without soldering and without disassembling the receipt printer!

Advantages:

• No tricky soldering required
• Fast assembly (5 mins + 30 mins for installing software)
• It will be easier to install a custom printi client

Disadvantages:

• An extra part (the Onion Omega Dock) and a USB charger is required for every printi
• The computer won't be hidden away inside the printi mini and requires a second wall socket

Skills needed:

• The linux command line (i.e. how to close vim)
• Patience

Make sure that you have read and understood all instructions before starting this project. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

---

Step 1: components

Prices are estimated (2019), and do not include shipping.

For one printi mini:

• HOIN HOP 58 thermal receipt printer (with included USB cable and power cable) - 💰 €30 (search for this printer on aliexpress, ebay, amazon, etc)
• Onion Omega 2+ - 💰 €15
• Onion Omega Expansion Dock or Mini Dock - 💰 €15
• USB charger (min. 1000mA) - 💰 €5

Tools needed:

• A stable WiFi network with regular/no security. WiFi networks with a username/password-based login (like eduroam) or a login screen (like some cafes) will probably not work.
• A computer with a USB port

Step 2: software

Using the dock, connect to the Onion Omega 2+ using the Serial port and set up the Omega. (The docks have a USB-serial chip built-in, allowing you to keep the terminal open while changing network settings. You could also use an SSH connection or the web interface to access the Omega. My setup guide is not designed for this, but you can make it work if you are motivated.) Make sure that the Omega is connected to the internet.

Now follow the software instructions to install the printi mini client on your Omega. Once you are finished, unpower the dock.

Step 3: putting it all together

Make the following connections:

1. Onion Omega 2+ 🔗 Onion Omega Dock
2. Receipt printer 🔗 Onion Omega Dock (USB A cable)
3. Receipt printer 🔗 wall socket (power cable)
4. Load the receipt printer with thermal paper
5. Turn the receipt printer on
6. Onion Omega Dock 🔗 USB 2A charger (micro USB cable)
7. USB 2A charger 🔗 wall socket
8. Turn the Onion Omega Dock on

That's it! In a couple of minutes, the printi logo should be printed, and your printi mini is ready to go!

Picture from printi-my-crosswords