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  3. Raspberry Pi3 alternative?

Raspberry Pi3 alternative?

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  • zboblamontZ zboblamont

    Thanks @bjacobse @alowhum , the UPS parts should arrive tomorrow, and be on safer ground in a couple of days. 7.2Ah at 12v with buck converter should cover the bulk of the outages, will look at a shutdown procedure later for the loner ones.
    Lesson learned, no idea yet if the database can be salvaged from the corrupted drive. Pi rebuilt on Buster with a fresh drive, just Domoticz to reinstall once UPS is running.

    franz-unixF Offline
    franz-unixF Offline
    franz-unix
    wrote on last edited by
    #12

    @zboblamont A cheap and silent alternative could be one of this qotom mini pc.

    I'm using one of this as a virtual machine server with proxmox since 2-3 years and I'm very happy with it.

    One of the vm is running pfsense so it act also as a main router / firewall for the entire Lan.

    The backup of a vm is super easy 😉 but the initial setup of the environment requires a bit of Linux learning

    1 Reply Last reply
    2
    • alowhumA alowhum

      Or get a real UPS. For 95 euros you can buy a 8-socket power plug with built in battery that can power your router, raspberry pi and other devices for about 15 minutes. You can even control it via USB. That's what I use.

      https://duckduckgo.com/?q=APC+Back-UPS+ES+8&t=ffab&ia=web

      It's pretty great when the power goes out and you can still use your laptop to go online as if nothing has happened.

      Nca78N Offline
      Nca78N Offline
      Nca78
      Hardware Contributor
      wrote on last edited by
      #13

      @alowhum said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

      for about 15 minutes.

      Haha don't move to Vietnam, here when they cut power it can last half a day.

      @bjacobse said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

      I use a RPI3 and use this UPS (powerbank + script), as it's cheap and useful
      http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp

      Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

      bjacobseB 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • bjacobseB bjacobse

        @zboblamont
        I use a RPI3 and use this UPS (powerbank + script), as it's cheap and useful
        http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp

        mfalkviddM Offline
        mfalkviddM Offline
        mfalkvidd
        Mod
        wrote on last edited by
        #14

        @bjacobse what powerbank are you using? The one referenced on http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp is no longer available, and according to https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=144621 that bank automatically shuts off when the Raspberry Pi draws too little current.

        R bjacobseB 2 Replies Last reply
        0
        • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

          @bjacobse what powerbank are you using? The one referenced on http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp is no longer available, and according to https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=144621 that bank automatically shuts off when the Raspberry Pi draws too little current.

          R Offline
          R Offline
          rmalbers
          wrote on last edited by
          #15

          I had one SD failure and that was enough, I use the cheap SSDs 16GB, 32GB type thing for $15 or around that plus case, so far so good.

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • H Offline
            H Offline
            hansrune
            wrote on last edited by
            #16

            My solution to the problem is to use OverlayFS, AND make sure i clone and replace the SD card every 2-3 years. This method
            writes/syncs modified data to SD card only on reboots.

            Hourly backups are rsynced to another PI.

            UPS is recommended but not a must

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • Nca78N Nca78

              @alowhum said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

              for about 15 minutes.

              Haha don't move to Vietnam, here when they cut power it can last half a day.

              @bjacobse said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

              I use a RPI3 and use this UPS (powerbank + script), as it's cheap and useful
              http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp

              Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

              bjacobseB Offline
              bjacobseB Offline
              bjacobse
              wrote on last edited by
              #17

              @nca78 said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

              Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

              There are typically many paths to same solution :-)
              It was easiest for me to just copy exact same setup - why should I bother to purchase an USB splitter and spend time to setup a voltage divider and create a script that needed to measure voltage on a GPIO

              Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • mfalkviddM mfalkvidd

                @bjacobse what powerbank are you using? The one referenced on http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp is no longer available, and according to https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=144621 that bank automatically shuts off when the Raspberry Pi draws too little current.

                bjacobseB Offline
                bjacobseB Offline
                bjacobse
                wrote on last edited by
                #18

                @mfalkvidd
                The powerbank I am using is a Linocell 7800mA. YES I AM AWARE that it's stated on the powerbank that it's not allowed to both charge powerbank an use it as powerbank - But that is exactly what I do ;-)
                Bought here:
                https://www.kjell.com/se/produkter/hem-kontor-fritid/fritid/resetillbehor/powerbank/linocell-3x-dual-powerbank-7800-mah-bla-p96870

                1 Reply Last reply
                1
                • bjacobseB bjacobse

                  @nca78 said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                  Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

                  There are typically many paths to same solution :-)
                  It was easiest for me to just copy exact same setup - why should I bother to purchase an USB splitter and spend time to setup a voltage divider and create a script that needed to measure voltage on a GPIO

                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78N Offline
                  Nca78
                  Hardware Contributor
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #19

                  @bjacobse said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                  @nca78 said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                  Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

                  There are typically many paths to same solution :-)
                  It was easiest for me to just copy exact same setup - why should I bother to purchase an USB splitter and spend time to setup a voltage divider and create a script that needed to measure voltage on a GPIO

                  It's just that it looks like a serious overkill and cable mess to use an ethernet splitter + it's own supply + ethernet cable when it can be done with less than 1$ of hardware and only one splitter + one spare usb cable. But that's just my own opinion :)

                  And if you want to really go for cheap and easy solution the raspi ups hat (blue PCB like in the link below) works like a charm. Compact, efficient, no extra cable. And I think the price is even cheaper than powerbank + splitter.
                  https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32882666003.html

                  bjacobseB 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • zboblamontZ Offline
                    zboblamontZ Offline
                    zboblamont
                    wrote on last edited by zboblamont
                    #20

                    Wasn't where I was headed with the topic, but some interesting future considerations developed...
                    UPS - I went with the AD-55A, 7.2Ah cell and buck converter previously suggested elsewhere, WAY bulkier than the HAT arrangement which tempted, and may yet be deployed as a secondary safety.
                    What I found particularly infuriating was commercial UPS offerings mis-stating and misleading available USB current output, clearly targeting phone charging as a marketing ploy to expand their legacy constant dual voltage conversion lines without really developing anything new. Compared to these my own UPS will beat them in efficiency by a country mile as it's not designed from the ground up as dedicated dual conversion.
                    Aside the various HAT variants, there has not been minimal attention paid to more efficient UPSs for 5v etc devices despite an exponential increase in their deployment...
                    It is a little ironic really that this community has squeezed every Joule out of battery conservation on Nodes (my Gas meter is now passed year two on two AA alkaline :smile: ) yet reliance on a constant electrical supply remains for the Controller.
                    Perhaps French, German and Dutch supplies are more reliable, but here in Romania, "Vorsprung durch fuckup" prevails :smirk:

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • Nca78N Nca78

                      @bjacobse said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                      @nca78 said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                      Do you also use the ethernet switch as a power sensor ? :D I would just use an USB splitter before the powerbank, then use one wire and a voltage divider to connect it directly to a GPIO...

                      There are typically many paths to same solution :-)
                      It was easiest for me to just copy exact same setup - why should I bother to purchase an USB splitter and spend time to setup a voltage divider and create a script that needed to measure voltage on a GPIO

                      It's just that it looks like a serious overkill and cable mess to use an ethernet splitter + it's own supply + ethernet cable when it can be done with less than 1$ of hardware and only one splitter + one spare usb cable. But that's just my own opinion :)

                      And if you want to really go for cheap and easy solution the raspi ups hat (blue PCB like in the link below) works like a charm. Compact, efficient, no extra cable. And I think the price is even cheaper than powerbank + splitter.
                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32882666003.html

                      bjacobseB Offline
                      bjacobseB Offline
                      bjacobse
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #21

                      @nca78
                      I think you must have misunderstood the concept. I did not use a ethernet splitter and extra cable mess...
                      I use my router as IP supplier, 1 ethernet cable to my RPI, so I have cable to my domoticz, the RPI gets IP via cable, and if the I'm not able to ping gateway (router) then there is no power as the gateway is down.
                      the ONLY extra thing I have purchased is a the powerbank :-)

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      2
                      • Nca78N Offline
                        Nca78N Offline
                        Nca78
                        Hardware Contributor
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #22

                        @bjacobse said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                        @nca78
                        I think you must have misunderstood the concept. I did not use a ethernet splitter and extra cable mess...
                        I use my router as IP supplier, 1 ethernet cable to my RPI, so I have cable to my domoticz, the RPI gets IP via cable, and if the I'm not able to ping gateway (router) then there is no power as the gateway is down.
                        the ONLY extra thing I have purchased is a the powerbank :-)

                        Indeed I misunderstood, it makes much more sense like that :)

                        @zboblamont said in Raspberry Pi3 alternative?:

                        Perhaps French, German and Dutch supplies are more reliable, but here in Romania, "Vorsprung durch fuckup" prevails

                        Same here in Vietnam... That's why I'll also have a wifi gateway with battery backup soon.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • pihomeP Offline
                          pihomeP Offline
                          pihome
                          wrote on last edited by pihome
                          #23

                          i know this is old thread but here is what i have to deal with, truck load of different sd card ordered from amazon from different supplier, some full filled by amazon and some sold by amazon and all of them are fake and devil is in serial number so until you order more then one SD card you can never know if its real or fake.

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                          PiHome - Smart Heating Control

                          zboblamontZ 1 Reply Last reply
                          1
                          • pihomeP pihome

                            i know this is old thread but here is what i have to deal with, truck load of different sd card ordered from amazon from different supplier, some full filled by amazon and some sold by amazon and all of them are fake and devil is in serial number so until you order more then one SD card you can never know if its real or fake.

                            image 1
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                            zboblamontZ Offline
                            zboblamontZ Offline
                            zboblamont
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #24

                            @pihome It's a nightmare even for reputable stores. Bought an expensive Samsung thinking it would be reliable, turned out to be fake. Store wasn't happy when I asked for money back.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • pihomeP Offline
                              pihomeP Offline
                              pihome
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #25

                              may be its time for Raspberry pi foundation to put some storage on the board, these fake cards are very unreliable and i think small pc is better option then Raspberry pi at this stage.

                              PiHome - Smart Heating Control

                              zboblamontZ 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • pihomeP pihome

                                may be its time for Raspberry pi foundation to put some storage on the board, these fake cards are very unreliable and i think small pc is better option then Raspberry pi at this stage.

                                zboblamontZ Offline
                                zboblamontZ Offline
                                zboblamont
                                wrote on last edited by zboblamont
                                #26

                                @pihome I gave up and used a laptop hdd, a little bulkier but no regrets..

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • alowhumA Offline
                                  alowhumA Offline
                                  alowhum
                                  Plugin Developer
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #27

                                  It seems to be me the issue is buying fake SD cards. How do you even get in that situation? Do you buy them from China?

                                  pihomeP 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • alowhumA alowhum

                                    It seems to be me the issue is buying fake SD cards. How do you even get in that situation? Do you buy them from China?

                                    pihomeP Offline
                                    pihomeP Offline
                                    pihome
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #28

                                    @alowhum
                                    All of them from Amazon sold by Amazon, i m out of ideas how and where to get genuine sd cards

                                    PiHome - Smart Heating Control

                                    zboblamontZ 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • pihomeP pihome

                                      @alowhum
                                      All of them from Amazon sold by Amazon, i m out of ideas how and where to get genuine sd cards

                                      zboblamontZ Offline
                                      zboblamontZ Offline
                                      zboblamont
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #29

                                      @pihome I second that.
                                      @alowhum I don't think you appreciate just how far this fakery extends, so, sorry your criticism is unfair - Suppliers are playing Russian roulette offering what they believe is genuine product as the market is swamped with "genuine" fakes. My own experience was a with a big local store, and despite the usual evasion from the sales people initially they were caught with no escape when I presented the evidence. When you are selling in the zillions few can verify authenticity as they are packaged, it is a nightmare for those buying in in bulk.
                                      The only solution I found was to go for the cheapest brand on the market as it is not the pirates' intended target. My mobile microSD is HAMA on year 2, the "genuine" Samsung blew after 2 months... Go figure...

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                                      • alowhumA Offline
                                        alowhumA Offline
                                        alowhum
                                        Plugin Developer
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #30

                                        I just buy them in brick and mortar store. Always genuine.

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