Questions tagged [alternative-power]

The methods for powering the Raspberry Pi via sources other than its micro-USB connection.

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145 votes
7 answers
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How can I run the Pi on Solar Power?

Has anyone successfully set up their Pi to run on solar power? If so, what would be the cheapest way to sensibly and reliably achieve this, using a combination of solar cells / batteries / voltage ...
berry120's user avatar
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105 votes
11 answers
150k views

How do I build a UPS-like - battery backup - system?

As we all know, the Raspberry Pi doesn't really use that much power (5v + 700mA is the spec). I'd like to build a battery backup for power outages in a DIY-ish fashion. I don't need surge protection ...
Riku L's user avatar
  • 1,153
79 votes
10 answers
35k views

What do I need to know to power from batteries?

What voltage range can it accept? What sort of batteries are appropriate?
Highly Irregular's user avatar
42 votes
7 answers
35k views

Powering without using the micro USB

Is it possible to power the device without using the micro USB? For example, is it possible to use PoE (Power over Ethernet)?
ramblinjan's user avatar
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36 votes
8 answers
129k views

Will any external battery power a Raspberry Pi?

I am working on a project that needs the Raspberry Pi to work without a mains connection. I have considered buying a 50000mAh USB power bank. Would this power a Raspberry Pi, and if so, would it ...
Joel's user avatar
  • 527
34 votes
6 answers
113k views

Powering a PI from 12V

I'm thinking of installing my Pi down at my wife's stables which have a 40W solar charged 12V DC lighting circuit. Since the Pi runs at 5V I'm thinking that a quick and easy way to step down the ...
DaveG's user avatar
  • 443
21 votes
3 answers
15k views

Can the USB ports be used to power the Raspberry Pi?

Does the power need to be supplied via the micro USB port or can one of the two normal USB ports be used as well? I intend to use SSH only, so the USB port would not be used in any other way, but I'd ...
Tobias Kienzler's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
5k views

Powering Raspberry Pi and other USB devices through a single USB Hub

I bought a powered 7-port USB Hub, which has 7 downstream ports, 1 up stream port and one power port. My question is can I connect both Raspberry Pi and the USB devices that I want to use with ...
Sudar's user avatar
  • 317
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Powering Pi from Ni-MH batteries

I would like to power my RPi2 from the 5V GPIO pin via 4 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (4.8V) but I'm afraid about peak current. Can it somehow produce more than 2.5A? Should I use a fuse to limit that ...
Quest's user avatar
  • 370
11 votes
1 answer
2k views

If I power my Pi from GPIO, can I detect that it's not being powered by USB?

I'd like to create a backup power solution for my Raspberry Pi, and I'd like a notification to come up that the Raspberry Pi is running on this backup power. This notification has to tell me that ...
User7391's user avatar
  • 337
10 votes
4 answers
25k views

Powering the raspberry Pi from USB + microUSB, is it safe?

I want to power a Pi model B from a powered USB hub. I got surprised that the Pi powers on with only the USB attached. A little search in the forums confirmed me that it is a working solution. I ...
Alessandro Da Rugna's user avatar
9 votes
5 answers
2k views

UPS for raspberry pi

I want to be able to power my pi like a smartphone (ie from battery or from mains (while charging the battery), hot swappable) I know there are boards like the MoPi that achieve this, but the ...
JacquesL's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
6k views

Waterproof solar battery enclosure for my Pi?

There are numerous topics out there about powering Raspis from batteries or from solar or just making a waterproof enclosure... But I'm a programmer, not an electrician. I would end up plugging the ...
Oli's user avatar
  • 493
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Can I use a DC-DC step up module to power a Raspberry Pi from 2AA batteries?

I understand that I can use 4AA batteries and a step down module to get 5V and power the Pi, however briefly. However, now I'm getting real outrageous and want to trying powering the Pi from just 2AA, ...
jake9115's user avatar
  • 299
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

Car computer how to connect to car battery and also not drain battery when the car is switched off

I am doing research on creating a car computer with raspberry pi (so I have all the basics down before I start this project) and I am looking on a way to switch the whole device automatically whenever ...
John Demetriou's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
5k views

Pi / Pi 2 using modern 'smart' USB Power Adapters to supply power to the Raspberry?

Once upon a time there was only one way to charge a usb device and that was done at 5V and 500mA max, or so I've been told. 'Modern' USB Power Adapters like the Apple 1Amp, 2Amp and 2.4Amp and many ...
unom's user avatar
  • 643
7 votes
2 answers
8k views

How long can a RaspberryPi run for on 4 or more AA batteries?

I'm looking to power my Raspberry Pi via rechargeable batteries, but I would like to know how long can it run with x number of batteries. I want to eventually be able to mount it outside and solar ...
Patoshi パトシ's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

Power Pi4 with USB-C Power Bank

Can a USB-C Power Bank be used to power a Pi 4 for off-grid or mobile uses where the Pi cannot be tethered to either a mains electric socket or a POE switch?
F1Linux's user avatar
  • 1,667
6 votes
1 answer
668 views

Lithium power supply not working

Re: Kuman Lithium Battery Pack Power Expansion Board with Switch + Micro USB Cable for Raspberry Pi 3 Model B, Pi 2 Model B & Pi 1 Model B+ A+ A KY68 I just bought this for use with Pi3 model B ...
Glenn's user avatar
  • 155
6 votes
4 answers
225 views

How can I power the pi safely?

I'm a student in 7th grade building a project that has to include a raspberry pi of a contest coming up in april. Long story short I have a solar panel with a 6v usb output and I would like to power ...
Roy Ghandour's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
12k views

How many volts can you safely connect to the Pi?

I want to purchase this power supply (battery pack) for mobile projects (I know, it isn't a lot of power), and I was wondering if, with a bit of modding, like adding a micro usb tip to the power or by ...
RPiAwesomeness's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
911 views

Possible to power a Raspberry Pi Zero or B+ plugged in via an Ethernet port?

I want to build a device using a Raspberry Pi where you plug in the Ethernet port into any Ethernet port device and then from the Raspberry Pi it routes it back into the same device. Say for example: ...
Patoshi パトシ's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
8k views

Is it possible to power a Raspberry Pi (Zero/Compute Module) over an HDMI/MHL socket of a TV?

Today I stumbled upon the WDLabs Media Stick for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module at the ModMyPi Online Store and was immediately reminded of the Intel Compute Sticks or the ASUS Stick PCs. But the ...
Axel Beckert's user avatar
  • 1,172
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Dual Power Supplies (Redundant/Spare/Backup)

I have two separate power feeds presented as either two IEC C13 or two UK 3 Pin sockets (the choice is mine). I would like to connect my Pi to both power feeds so that if one power feed fails, the Pi ...
Baldrick's user avatar
  • 215
5 votes
2 answers
769 views

Trouble powering pi from batteries

I have an 8-cell NiMH battery pack (10V) connected to a UBEC voltage regulator, so that it provides a constant 5V as the batteries discharge. This is wired to the micro-USB connector that's connected ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 153
4 votes
2 answers
7k views

Powering a Raspberry Pi from a vehicle battery 24/7

I am working on a project where my Pi is always connected to a vehicle to provide its GPS information. Seeing such a device must be always turned on, I am attempting to tap into a battery line that ...
Grace's user avatar
  • 103
4 votes
4 answers
3k views

Powering Raspberry Pi via battery pack and buck converter - how to solve low voltage reboot issues

I'm trying to power a Raspberry Pi 4 via a 6-AA battery pack via buck converter which steps it down to 5V but it gets stuck in a reboot loop on boot up. Watching the display on the buck converter, the ...
g491's user avatar
  • 143
4 votes
2 answers
10k views

Powering a Raspberry Pi without a micro USB cable

I want to attach a Raspberry Pi to hardware I'm developing. There is already +5v and GND available on the hardware. Is there any way to power up my Raspberry Pi from this (I just wanna avoid another ...
master_yoda's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
3k views

Is there a max current that can be supplied when powering the Pi from the pins?

I want to power my Pi Zero from the header pins, pin 2 and pin 6 specifically. I know that my Pi Zero can consume up to 120mA, and my power supply can provide up to 500mA. I've heard that the 3.3v ...
Patrick Cook's user avatar
  • 6,365
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Powering WS2812B LED strip from Pi brownouts

I have a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B currently controlling and powering a strip of WS2812B LED's. A separate 5V 15A power supply powers the Pi through pins 2 and 6, while the LED's are powered off of pins ...
TJ Mazeika's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

Outdoor Pi Security Camera

I'm hoping to make an outdoor Pi security camera. I don't want to run any wires so I'm hoping to get a Wifi connection along with solar power. I've been looking into the PiJuice solar as an option ...
Sam's user avatar
  • 145
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

Under-voltage problems when using the new PoE hat

I'm experiencing some issues with the new PoE hat when using my NETGEAR gs108pe PoE switch. Basically when I use my raspberry pi 3B+ with only my HDMI monitor and a USB serial converter attached (...
Linus's user avatar
  • 529
3 votes
1 answer
5k views

USB problem on Raspberry Pi 4 won't boot

I have a strange problem with a Pi 4. I have my Raspberry Pi 4 powered by an external alimentation 5V 2 A, there are two USB devices connected (an Arduino Mega and the touch USB for the display) and ...
Buisson's user avatar
  • 181
3 votes
2 answers
877 views

RPi4 won't power on from 5V if any load is present on 3V3

The short version: Raspberry Pi 4B, rev 1.1, doesn't turn on when provided with 5V on the pins 2&4 if any load is present on the 3V3 (pins 1&17). However, powering the Pi from a USB-C source (...
MJBogusz's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to connect Rpi4B to a HDMI Touch Screen?

I have recently invested in a HDMI touchscreen from Amazon, and a Raspberry Pi 4, For the touchscreen to work it must be connected via GPIO, however my pi cannot supply enough power to it from my usb ...
Big Bob's user avatar
  • 31
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Power Raspberry Pi 2 From vehicle battery

I have seen many tutorials and blogs of people setting up their PI 2 in their vehicles for media systems etc. I would actually like to attempt the following however I am unsure how to power the pi. I ...
Grace's user avatar
  • 103
3 votes
0 answers
539 views

Is the PoEPi available or is it still in development? [closed]

I was looking around for a way to power the Pi Zero W over PoE in a compact package, and I came across this board. It does exactly what I want, but I can't find it being crowdfunded, talked about, ...
YetAnotherRandomUser's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
693 views

Power multiple Pis through 5V GPIO and 5V wall wart

I'm considering making a Pi cluster (Let's say 8 Pi 3s), and instead of buying an 8-port USB charger and 8 USB cables of exactly the right length, could I use a powerful enough (8A?) 5V wall wart and ...
Luke Moll's user avatar
  • 747
2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Power Pi Pico by applying 5 V to VSYS—any experiences with or thoughts on additional safety measures?

The official Pico datasheet chapter 4.5 suggests using either a Schottky diode or a P-channel MOSFET (P-FET; or a combination of both) when powering the Pico from an external power source (at least if ...
Manuel Popp's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
80 views

finding a 3.3V "micro-computer" to be used as a co-processor in some low power applications [closed]

I am working with some "low power" applications in which a 3.3V micro controller with some electronics around it logs some information for 20 minutes, and then the information needs to be ...
Zorglub29's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
1 answer
6k views

Power Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) In any Car [closed]

Hey , so here's the dilemma , I want to use My yet-unused Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) in my car , providing it works , as it seems this one was from the first batches manufactured and people reported it ...
Hitman2847's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
340 views

Can I use my acer chromebook 11 charger to power my raspberry pi 4b?

What does it mean when my acer chromebook 11 charger says "5v ⎓ 3a / 9v ⎓ 3a / 15v ⎓ 3a / 20v ⎓ 2.25a" on the ac adapter? I want it to output 5 volts with 3 amps, but I am confused at why it also has ...
answerplease's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Power up from USB Cable or GPIO?

I have made a battery pack to power up my Raspberry Pi 3 for a project. The pack uses 2 Samsung ICR 18650 Li-Ion batteries (connected in series) and a 5V 3A UBEC and gives 5.05V output. Now I'm a ...
YaddyVirus's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
6k views

Wire 5v to raspberry pi b+ without microUsb

On the original model b it was possible to wire power to the tp1 and tp2 (which ran through the fuse and was protected?) I am upgrading my 3d printer to run with a b+ but the b+ does not have the same ...
jgetrost's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

Portable power supply for a PiHub?

I love my PiHUB and would like to have a or table power source, so I can make my projects mobile :) Is there any product that I could use? It uses 3A 5.2V. Alternatively I'd appreciate any ...
user967722's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
225 views

Will there be backfeed problems if I use a powered external HD on RPi 2?

I've got an old Western Digital ext hd that uses this power supply (http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Western-Digital-Wdbaau0010hbk-01-Supply/dp/B00FPLZFP4). I was planning on powering RPi 2 just from ...
Korean_Of_the_Mountain's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
440 views

Can I use an ATX power supply to power a graphics card, the USB3380EVB and a Pi?

I am going to plug a GT4640 using the USB3380EVB. This board connects to the USB slot of the Pi. The USB3380EVB has his own power supply which provide energy to the GT640. I am concern about power ...
Arturo Veras's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
524 views

Powering Pi 4B with dead PMIC

One of my many Raspberry Pi 4's in one of my clusters recently broke down. After some troubleshooting, I was surprised to find out, that the power circuit on the board was actually toast. I have no ...
Caeleste's user avatar
  • 123
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is it possible to run Pi Zero from Phone Battery

I would like to create a retro game project and I have to be able to have a portable Pi without being plugged into a electric socket. I have been looking into my phone battery and saw that it's 4.2v ...
PiNewbie's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
76 views

Powering a pico with a lipo battery charged by a bike dynamo

So, I am building a gps tracker build on raspberry pico and a neo 6m gps module. Now, I want to power this project with a lithium battery that can offer some autonomy. I was thinking of using a , ...
Edoardo Balducci's user avatar