/Pelican-Deck

This is my first ever Cyberdeck build. My goal was a sleek, self-contained setup that could handle BadUSB scripts and more. The Pi is powered by a USB battery pack, with a smaller one for the screen, and everything’s designed to be portable, including water-resistant ports (USB, Ethernet, HDMI, and USB-C).

GNU General Public License v3.0GPL-3.0

Overview

This project is my first attempt at building a portable cyberdeck using a Raspberry Pi 4 and a Pelican 1150 case. It’s designed to be fully self-contained, with water-resistant ports, onboard battery power, and cooling fans. My main focus was to create a sleek, functional system for running various scripts and tasks, such as BadUSB attacks, while keeping everything compact and portable. In the future, I plan to add assembly instructions to the wiki and more wiring diagrams and schematics.

Cyberdeck Build

Features

  • 7-inch display: Built-in for portable use
  • Running Kali Linux: Ideal for cybersecurity tasks
  • Active cooling system: 1x 30mm fan and 2x 18mm fans provide airflow when the case is open
  • 3 USB ports: 2 internal, 1 external for peripherals
  • SD card reader: Built-in for easy storage access
  • HDMI output: External port for connecting to a larger display
  • USB-C charging: Convenient power supply for both the Pi and the screen
  • Cat5 Ethernet port: External network connection for wired access
  • Audio jack: For headphones or external audio
  • Status LEDs:
    • Charging indicator
    • Raspberry Pi on/off
    • Screen on/off
    • 3 additional customizable LEDs
  • Switch for screen power: Automatically turns the screen off when the case is closed
  • Keyboard: Integrated for ease of use
  • Storage compartments: Holds SD cards and USB drives under the keyboard
  • Fully-contained battery: Powers both the Raspberry Pi and screen for portable operation
  • Water-resistant design: Sealed and protected when closed

Known Issues

  • Overheating: Cannot operate with the lid closed for extended periods due to heat buildup
  • No trackpad: There's no way to control the cursor in the OS without an external mouse
  • Boot issue: Raspberry Pi won’t boot from the SD card reader
  • Status LEDs: The LEDs are too bright (can be fixed by using different resistors)
  • Charging inconvenience: The keyboard has to be removed to access the charging port
  • Internal cable management: Very poor, leading to a cluttered interior
  • Waterproofing: The build does not maintain the Pelican case’s original waterproof rating
  • Glue used for assembly: Insert/faceplate is fastened using glue, which could be improved
  • Charging limitations: Only supports standard USB charging, not USB-C PD; USB-C port is not bi-directional (input only)

Future Goals

  • Custom 18650 battery pack: Build a battery pack to fit the case better, provide a longer runtime, and support USB-C PD input and output
  • Inductive charging: Incorporate some form of wireless charging just because
  • Slightly bigger case: Upgrade to a larger case for better component fit and expansion
  • New cooling design: Implement a thermoelectric cooling system to allow operation with the lid closed
  • Mechanical Keyboard: Add some form of mechanical keyboard, maybe QAZ
  • Add a trackpad: Include a built-in trackpad for easier navigation
  • Improved waterproofing: Make the unit fully submersible when closed and water resistant when open
  • Upgrade to Raspberry Pi 5: Consider switching to a Raspberry Pi 5 for improved performance
  • Use fasteners instead of glue: Replace glued components with screw fasteners for a cleaner, more durable assembly
  • Use SSD for booting: Switch to an SSD for faster and more reliable booting
  • Design custom PCB: Create a custom PCB for improved wire management and cleaner internal layout
  • More improvements to come: This project is evolving, and additional upgrades are planned for future versions

Parts List

Disclaimer

Some of the links may have changed, so the parts may not be identical. Everything looks the same on the listings, but these parts were all ordered over a year ago.

Case and External I/O

Display and Input

Cooling and Switches

Internal Components

LEDs and Power

  • LEDs and Resistors:
  • Diode: 3A Diode (supports 5V) or alternative link – This is used to prevent the charging LED from being powered by the battery bank, so it only turns on during charging. This setup prevents the USB-C port from being used as a power source, as noted in the issues section.

Cables and Wiring

3D Printed Parts

  • 3D Printed Components: All parts are printed with Polymaker PETG, but any standard filament should work.