A couple last questions on finishing kit

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D R

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Mar 30, 2025, 6:03:25 PM3/30/25
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Hope I'm not overstaying my welcome.

As I was wrapping up the back panel, I went to assemble the two parts of the panel using the 2.5 M screws mentioned.  However the manual did not say which length of screw was to be used, just not any metal ones.

The screws I have left are 2.5 plastic.  One is a sort of bevel tapered head and the screw/bolt is about 6 mm long.  The others are tiny, with a pan head and flat contact but the whole thing is at most 2 mm or so, barely enough to get through both the boards.  I was always taught you want 1 1/2 threads sticking out of the nut, and this is so short the bolt barely comes to  the level of the nut.

The parts list does not mention any screw like this, so I'm confused.  Any thoughts (other than me being confused?)

Second, the instructions call for the Pi protective plate to be affixed to the mounting threads protruding through the Pi bracket.  It looks like there is only a few mm clearance and notice the board is running warm, not hot.  I do have the Pi 5 cooling fan on the other side.  It is better to put the board on to protect the Pi, and hope there is some chimney effect to pull cool air over the board, or leave it open for better heat dissipation?

I'm using an 'official' Rasp Pi 5 power supply.  Is there a graceful way to route the power cable so it exits nicely after the back panel is slipped into place?   I don't plan on using any of the additional ports and interfaces. 

Dale

Steven A. Falco

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Mar 31, 2025, 9:49:57 AM3/31/25
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I also found the screws to be very short. They work, but I added a tiny drop of CA glue between the panel pieces, mostly for my own peace of mind.

On a different topic, a while back I posted about two locations where the PCB traces on the LED and switch boards come very close to the mounting hole screws. I added nylon washers on those screws to avoid any risk of damaging the traces and/or causing shorts. I recommend that modification to anyone building the kit.

Steve
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Steven A. Falco

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Mar 31, 2025, 9:53:09 AM3/31/25
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I should add that regarding your second question, I'm using a Pimoroni bottom-mounted NVMe hat. It has a flat bottom, i.e. there are no active components on the bottom, so the cover plate fits nicely. If you are not using a hat, I really like the idea of using standoffs between the pi and the plate, although a few washers would suffice, but you might need longer screws.

Steve

On 3/30/25 06:03 PM, D R wrote:

DR

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Mar 31, 2025, 9:57:05 AM3/31/25
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Thank  you.

I will go look for that message, I do recall it.  I have some tiny nylon
washers that I can use.

Thinks are looking good.  Dale


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