0

I'm developing a project based on a Raspberry Pi 3B+ which utilizes an original Raspberry Pi Camera module. I'm powering the RPi from a 12V 4-cell LiPo, brought down to 5V by a power distribution board, to which I connnect the RPi via a usb cable. No devices other than the camera (which is connected via the CSI interface) are powered from the Pi itself - it only has 4 PWM channels connected, SDA & SCL, one gpio to read from and 4 Tx/Rx.

The problem is that when I run my program (which simply reads the video stream from imutils's PiVideoStream) and the camera module activates, the RPi's red led starts to blink, which, as far as I know, signalises voltage drops. Anyway, the camera works fine, I can obtain the data, but CPU temperature slowly begins to rise. As soon as I turn off the program, the camera turns off as well (judging by the camera's built-in led) and everything is back to normal.

Is there any way to fix this? And how is it even possible that an RPi with an official camera module causes voltage drops?

Improve this question
4
  • It is far more likely that your "power distribution board" (whatever that may be) is inadequate. "CPU temperature slowly begins to rise"is normal when the Pi is performing a resource intensive task.
    – Milliways
    Mar 29 '18 at 10:28
  • The pdb itself is just a board which has 12V->5V converters on it. I know the rise in CPU temperature is normal during heavy CPU operations, but it reaches 70 degrees, while CPU usage is only at 30-35%. The thing that worries me the most is the red light suggesting a voltage drop
    – artus9033
    Mar 29 '18 at 10:36
  • There is no such thing as " just a board which has 12V->5V converters"; what are the specifications? It OBVIOUSLY is not adequate.
    – Milliways
    Mar 29 '18 at 10:42
  • Alright, sorry for my inadvertency, here are the specifications
    – artus9033
    Mar 29 '18 at 10:47
0

Finally fixed this by editing the boot config and disabling the Pi camera power led

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.