This year, I've gone for a slightly different approach to my last build and stacked the setup. It consists of a Pi5, the active Pi cooler, NVMe base with a 500GB SSD, and MacArthur Hat with a power module all running on OP4. So why have I decided to use a stack instead of going down the case route as I did last time:
Improvements
What's to come
All the best and my thanks to the team for the work on the HAT & OP4.
Mat
- Cooling - In my last build on a Pi4, it didn't have any form of active cooling out of the box, and I figured the best way to do this was with an Argon case as that's basically a slab of aluminium with an active-controlled fan. This kept temps around 50-55 in my environment which I was more than happy with. However, on the Pi5, the board comes with a dedicated header for this and it's Pi Pi-controlled, less faff, and less to configure. The active cooler is maintaining the same temps for me on the Pi5.
- SSD - The other reason to use the case was to add an SSD. I think this makes a big difference (Especially on the Pi4, less so on the Pi5), it is easier now with a dedicated header and relatively little cost. It also adds some degree of data security but you can take a view on that. My first Pi3 setup ran on an SD card and was fine.
- Stackable - With the case I used last time, it wasn't possible to stack the HAT. It also used some of the same pins the HAT uses which was a reason I wanted to change my setup this year. I also dont see any issues running the Pi and Hat without a case, although if someone comes along from the forum that just encases it all, I might take a look at it.
Improvements
- I think this is the best setup I've had so far, and I'll show more as the software moves to full production. It's very fast and with the HAT feels like a 'production setup'
- The HAT is awesome, making your electronics in the early days was fun, but it just works and opens the platform up for more people.
- O-Charts Dongle - I've added this to my setup so I dont assign my chart licences attached to the Pi. Allows me to play/break the setup a little more.
What's to come
- Pi power usage
- Data visualisation work
- Node-Red
- AvNav
- Another ESP project?
All the best and my thanks to the team for the work on the HAT & OP4.
Mat