Power Supply for 4 x Pi Zero 2

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi,

According to this information, a 4 amp @ 5 volt power source should be enough to power 4 x Pi Zero W2's on the cluster hat. I've found this power supply. Obviously, a second 3.5 amp @ 5 volts supply would be needed to power Pi 4. Does this seem reasonable or am I overlooking something with this setup?

Thanks

Gord 

[Luis Alcaraz Leal]

I'm using this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091JSRQ9C and this power supply https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HCTBVMK to power a Pi4 and 4 zero w2 and the 2TB ssd. 

[Luis Alcaraz Leal]

Edit: This is the power supply I purchased https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07413Q5Y4

[Perry das Schnabeltier]

So a Anker Nano with 20W USB-C charging would be sufficient to run the cluster with a RPI 4 host and RPI zero 2W´s?

Just wondering if the RPI 4 host would be a bottleneck, because (i maybe wrong, please correct me) a USB 3 port on the RPI 4 

is limited to 4,5 Watt power output (USB 3 standard). This would be enough to power about 1,5 RPI zero 2W´s.

I´m not sure how the Clusterhat is managing power or if the communication between the host and the Zero´s is handled via GPIO or

the micro-USB-cable is also needed for data and not only power... Maybe using a Micro-USB-y-splitter and a Anker 323 

to power the RPI 4 and plugging in the USB-power-plug from the y-splitter would work. 

Is the USB 3 port on the host just used because of the additional power it surpluses USB 2? Or is it used because of the higher data-transfer-rate?
(no i´m not with anker, if there´s some better alternative, please educate me)

[G Mc.Pherson]

Oops, forgot to add that I also turned off the HDMI port on all the PI's. This required switching back from Bullseye's full KMS drivers to the old Legacy drivers (Raspi-config, Options 6, A2).

** Special Thanks to Jean-Luc Aufranc for this article

[G Mc.Pherson]

Damn! Groups deleted my original message so here goes (again)

I've successfully got 4 RPI0W2 nodes running on a PRI3B+ controller using a stock 2.4a/5v PSU. It required turning off the WIFI, Bluetooth, HDMI and underclocking to 600Mhz. I don't have a USB monitor to tell how close I am to the limit, but if I restore the clock speed to 2 or more RPI's, the power light on the 3B+ starts to flicker, so I know I'm close. I've ordered the previously mentioned 4A/5V PSU, a RPI4, the ClusterHAT case (simply because the ClusterHat case for the RPI3B+ isn't available anymore) and a small 5v fan.

I''d like to Thank Jean-Luc Aufranc of CNX Software for this article which allowed me to get this setup running in the first place.

[Peter Cross]

I missed the 4Amp power supply notification. Can someone send me the one that's recommended?

Cheers!

Peter J. Cross
San Antonio, TX

"Experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions"
-James Madison, Federalist Paper No. 51

Please consider the environment before printing this email

On Sun, Jan 2, 2022 at 5:53 PM G Mc.Pherson <gamcp...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've successfully got a PI3B+ and 4 x PI02 (all cores enabled) running off a stock 2.5amp PSU (as recommended for the PI3+). I managed this feat by disabling the Bluetooth, Audio and WIFI, and under-clocking them to 600Mhz. I needed WIFI on the PI3B+, so I left that one enabled. I don't have a USB meter to tell how close I am to the 2.5amp limit but if I reset the stock clock speed on 2 of the PI02's, the power light on the PI3B+ starts to flicker. As I under stand it, the USB 2.0 on the PI3B+ is limited to 14watt total, so I've ordered the previously noted 4amp PSU and a PI4 (plus the acrylic case & fan, since the Pi3 case is no longer available). I'll update again when I get that equipment.

On Friday, December 24, 2021 at 9:06:19 p.m. UTC-5 tfk.m...@gmail.com wrote:

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[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Peter,

This is the Amazon link to the 14amp PSU I was referring to

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Supply-Raspberry-Arduino-Controllers/dp/B07QPSXTYS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=5v+4+amp+power+supply&qid=1639559029&s=electronics&sr=1-4

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[G Mc.Pherson]

Watt not amp..  sorry fat fingers and lack of sleep 

[Jeffery Kelley]

Has anyone gotten this working?  I've tried a 65w Anker Nano P/S.  I've tried supping via Micro USB power to the MicroUSB on the hat.  I ihave a splitter that allows me to only provide data to the Rpi4 USB and power and data to the Hat.  No matter what it ends up locking up.  I've tried both 4G 4B and a 8GB 4B.  So far both lock up.  But, if I do not power on any of the zero 2 W, then it doens't lock up.

TIA,

Jeff

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Jeff,

I'm still waiting for that PSU I ordered but I currently have 4 x Zero2's running on a 3amp Google phone charger on a Pi4/2g. This being said I've had to limit all the Zero2's:

Limit to active 2 cores (3 cores might be possible on 1 or 2 but not all 4)

Limit the speed to 600Mhz

Turn off Bluetooth, Wifi, HDMI and audio

(Note you need to revert to old video drivers to turn off HDMI port)

Gord

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[Perry das Schnabeltier]

After my 3rd and 4th RPI Z2 arrived, i finally managed to complete my cluster....

I´m running an RPI 4b CNAT-controller with 4x RPI Z2 nodes powered with a single 45Watt Lenovo USB-C power brick ( 4X20M26256 ).
First i thought about this usb-y-splitter to add another power brick, but the FAQ states ( 8086 Support - How do I use the solder jumpers on the Cluster HAT?) you need to modify your clusterhat to enable powering it over USB.
Without modyfing your hat/scrating off a trace, the hat/nodes are getting powered over the GPIO pins of the controller-RPI (please correct me when i´m wrong) and adding a second power supply with a splitter cable won´t give

the expected results. So i decided to try an laptop-charger, which is working flawlessly for the time beeing....

Tested them all with small load, everything ran fine. Tested them with some load, everything ran fine. I didn´t limit the cores, didn´t downclock or turned anything (wifi/bluetooth/hdmi) off.

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Perry,

 

Ahh, you’ve shone some light on the situation. I wasn’t aware the Cluster Hat was receiving power from the GPIO. This changes everything (and puts a wrench/spanner, in my 4A PSU idea). However, I’m a bit confused regarding you’re choice of PSU? According to:

 

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/accessories-and-software/chargers-and-batteries/chargers/4x20m26252

 

It is only providing 2A @ 5V? and I’m pretty sure that’s barely enough to power the PI4, never mind the 4xZero2’s? Now obviously it’s working for you but I don’t understand why.

 

Gord

 

Sent from Mail for Windows

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[Perry das Schnabeltier]

Hello Gordon,

you got me... I was to lazy to open the cabined with the cluster inside so i just searched for "lenovo 45watt power brick" and posted the one which seemed the one i have. 
But i went to the cabinet and got he power brick entangled since i provided false information, it´s a SA10E75843.

Perry

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Perry,

 

Sorry for causing the  inconvenience and thank you for confirming the adapter model number. A quick google shows there are two models:

 

https://www.google.ca/search?q=SA10E75843&sxsrf=AOaemvK7zWcTjgV7jC3IxZwUzalzUCUoCQ%3A1642762820993&source=hp&ei=RJLqYej2Nu6iptQPrs-gmAc&iflsig=ALs-wAMAAAAAYeqgVDns9aDwjHvKla0YdQwNJ19MihAc&ved=0ahUKEwjoqI-z2ML1AhVukYkEHa4nCHMQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=SA10E75843&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEIAEMgYIABAFEB46BwgjEOoCECdQjBJYjBJgpSZoAXAAeACAAYUBiAGFAZIBAzAuMZgBAKABAqABAbABCg&sclient=gws-wiz

 

(Note the first entry and the third entry)

 

Again, both these PSU’s are also rated at 2A @ 5v? If you’re able to power the whole cluster then in theory, the 3.5A @ 5v stock PSU designed for the PI4 should be enough to do the same. Either that or there’s some electrical Blackmagic going on here. Can you confirm, is your PSU the wall wart design or the brick design?

 

Thank you

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[Perry das Schnabeltier]

Mhm, 

according to the technical details the output may vary depending to the given load: 5V / 2A / 10W and 9V / 2A / 18W and 15V / 3A / 45W. I think it´s some usb-c thing...

I´m not an expert, just a tech-enthusiast.... This is a picture of it, yeah bad angle, but the thing is located behind my couch. The Lenovo power brick is the only thing 

powering the whole cluster (the other power brick belongs to the pc the cluster is standing on...).

Yeah i know it´s dirty and cables are unmanaged, that´s because it´s hidden in a cabinet....

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Perry.

 

Thank you. No need to apologize for the cabling… you should see my wiring right now. I’m going to do some investigation and see if I can figure out what’s going on here. Just so I’ve got the facts, you cut the appropriate connector on the Cluster Hat and then plugged in your PSU to the PI4 clontroller?

 

Gord

 

Sent from Mail for Windows

 

From: Perry das Schnabeltier
Sent: January 21, 2022 6:44 AM
To: ClusterHAT
Subject: Re: [ClusterHAT] Re: Power Supply for 4 x Pi Zero 2

 

Mhm, 

according to the technical details the output may vary depending to the given load: 5V / 2A / 10W and 9V / 2A / 18W and 15V / 3A / 45W. I think it´s some usb-c thing...

I´m not an expert, just a tech-enthusiast.... This is a picture of it, yeah bad angle, but the thing is located behind my couch. The Lenovo power brick is the only thing 

powering the whole cluster (the other power brick belongs to the pc the cluster is standing on...).

 

 

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/clusterhat/8c7d1580-5f29-42b0-aad7-5cd09803925en%40googlegroups.com.

 

[Perry das Schnabeltier]

Nooohooo Gordon,

don´t pin me down on this... I´m stupid and that´s just what i´ve understood from the FAQ, maybe it´s accurate, maybe it´s not. 

[Jeffery Kelley]

So I’m having good luck with a Dell 65W USB C that I started using today.

Longest it has stay powered up without locking up.  K

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Jeff,

Might I enquire the model information for the PSU? Did you make any modifications to your Cluster Hat board?

Thanks

Gord

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[Jeffery Kelley]

I’m pretty sure this is it.  https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-slim-power-adapter-65-watt-type-c-with-1-meter-power-cord/apd/492-bcbi/pc-accessories

I’m going to do some stress testing tomorrow or maybe next week and see what it does.  No mods to the hat, yet.  I may do a mod as I have a dual Anker usbc 40w 20Wx2 that I would prefer to use.

[G Mc.Pherson]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks. Typical Dell, they only report it as 65w, but no detailed specifications regarding volts/amps.

Gord

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[Jeffery Kelley]

I found the Dell stats.  5v3a.  I'm surprised.  I will eventually switch to the Canakit PS 5v3.5a.  Also I did a 10-15 minute stress test.  No under voltage detected.  Nothing for 24hrs now.

[G Mc.Pherson]

My alternative PSU arrived Friday. It's the stock 3.5a/5v Adafruit PI 4 stock adapter. I've been able to increase the PI4 and all 4 x Zero2's to 3 active cores but heat is becoming a concern. I ordered a 4 x set of PI3 copper heat sinks and a small 30mm fan for the Cluster Hat Case. The temps are averaging 50c-55c while running "stress". 

The power light on the PI4 controller hasn't started flickering yet, so tomorrow I'm going to enable 1 core at a time to see how far I can push this setup (note: no mod to the cluster hat board)

Gord

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