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  1. Home
  2. General Discussion
  3. What's the "best" UPS for a Raspberry Pi 3B?

What's the "best" UPS for a Raspberry Pi 3B?

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  • NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDieN Offline
    NeverDie
    Hero Member
    wrote on last edited by
    #5

    Your approach does have the virtue of no lithium fire hazard.

    1 Reply Last reply
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    • NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDieN Offline
      NeverDie
      Hero Member
      wrote on last edited by
      #6

      At the moment I'm using one of these, which also contains some surge protection:
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KH07WRC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

      I guess all the raspberry Pi UPS's just assume you're plugged into a surge protector of some kind. So, it's worth considering the entire package.

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      • NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDieN Offline
        NeverDie
        Hero Member
        wrote on last edited by NeverDie
        #7

        OK, I just settled on this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NTQYUA8/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

        $25, surge protection, no lithium, and maybe (?) I'll be able to power the Pi directly from one of the UPS usb power ports.

        It seems ridiculous that the Pi still doesnt have a shutdown button. Presently I have to ssl to it and do a "sudo poweroff" before unplugging it. Not exactly convenient!

        NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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        • gohanG Offline
          gohanG Offline
          gohan
          Mod
          wrote on last edited by
          #8

          Actually you can use a shut down script when you short a pin, you only need a voltage detector that triggers it when voltage goes below a certain value. Andreas Spiess made a video showing how to do it with a cheap battery indicator and 2 supercaps in series

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          • NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDieN Offline
            NeverDie
            Hero Member
            wrote on last edited by NeverDie
            #9

            It turns out that these little Borkin buttons are the easiest way to power down your Pi:
            https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3-5mm-Smart-Mikey-Mi-Key-Quick-Click-Button-Smart-Key-Dustproof-Plug-Earphone-Jack-For/32861089928.html?spm=a2g0s.8153825.cb0001.6.O3XqCd&scm=1007.13409.84631.0&pvid=11dce56f-ab9b-4d70-9349-4ff0bc6f4c93&tpp=1

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            • gohanG Offline
              gohanG Offline
              gohan
              Mod
              wrote on last edited by
              #10

              but those also require a little wire mod and they are not very "automatic" :D

              NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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              • gohanG gohan

                but those also require a little wire mod and they are not very "automatic" :D

                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDieN Offline
                NeverDie
                Hero Member
                wrote on last edited by
                #11

                @gohan Yes on the wire mod, but what do you mean by automatic?

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                • gohanG Offline
                  gohanG Offline
                  gohan
                  Mod
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #12

                  I mean that they are manual switch and will not shutdown raspberry when battery is low

                  NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • gohanG gohan

                    I mean that they are manual switch and will not shutdown raspberry when battery is low

                    NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDieN Offline
                    NeverDie
                    Hero Member
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #13

                    @gohan Good point. Also, ideally it would have some kind of indicator to show when it has successfully finished powering down.

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                    • NeverDieN NeverDie

                      There's a lot to choose from:
                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/18650-Pi-Partner-for-Raspberry-Pi/32824221009.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000015.2.7a6878b31vZgqA&s=p

                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/UPS-power-extension-board-with-RTC-measurement-5V-output-serial-port-function-5V-3A-USB-data/32849706946.html?spm=2114.10010108.1000014.8.58672b9c3X3XTo&traffic_analysisId=recommend_3035_null_null_null&scm=1007.13338.98644.000000000000000&pvid=81b8fe3b-0458-4b06-9f5c-9bd5d88c8ffb&tpp=1

                      https://www.aliexpress.com/item/UGEEK-UPS-HAT-with-Battery-for-Raspberry-Pi-3-Model-B-2B-B-Raspberry-Pi-Battery/32786176030.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.37.28041b49kgJHo2&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_5711320_10344_10068_10130_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10546_10340_10548_10341_10698_10545_10696_10084_5722520_10083_10618_10307_5711220_10059_5722620_5722920_308_5722720_5722820_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_32,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=f1da8c36-0437-4996-b1c8-266691914f00-5&algo_pvid=f1da8c36-0437-4996-b1c8-266691914f00&transAbTest=ae803_1&priceBeautifyAB=0

                      and that barely scratches the surface. That's why I thought I'd ask what people are actually using, and whether they like it or not.

                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78N Offline
                      Nca78
                      Hardware Contributor
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #14

                      @neverdie I have bought the last one in your list (ugeek hat) but not set up on my pi 3 yet.

                      You can get battery information through i2c and prepare for shutdown when battery is low as explained here
                      http://www.raspberrypiwiki.com/index.php/Raspi_UPS_HAT_Board

                      rozpruwaczR 1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • gohanG Offline
                        gohanG Offline
                        gohan
                        Mod
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #15

                        The super cheap way is to get this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10W-3-7V-4-2V-Charger-5V-6V-9V-12V-Discharger-Board-DC-DC-Converter-Boost/32816412117.html

                        Nca78N 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • alexsh1A Offline
                          alexsh1A Offline
                          alexsh1
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #16

                          Guys, this is the best UPS for RPi3

                          http://www.pimodulescart.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=50

                          It is compatible with many batteries including 18650 and different chemistries.

                          Unfortunately, firmware development is a bit slow, but hardware part is just brilliant

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                          • gohanG Offline
                            gohanG Offline
                            gohan
                            Mod
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #17

                            that costs more than the RPI itself :D

                            alexsh1A 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • gohanG gohan

                              The super cheap way is to get this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10W-3-7V-4-2V-Charger-5V-6V-9V-12V-Discharger-Board-DC-DC-Converter-Boost/32816412117.html

                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78N Offline
                              Nca78
                              Hardware Contributor
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #18

                              @gohan said in What's the "best" UPS for a Raspberry Pi 3B?:

                              The super cheap way is to get this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10W-3-7V-4-2V-Charger-5V-6V-9V-12V-Discharger-Board-DC-DC-Converter-Boost/32816412117.html

                              Super cheap because it's just a cheap charging ic and a cheap step up, and there's no battery protection. If you rely on battery protection of an eBay/AliExpress lipo it will be a DW01 with undervoltage protection at 2.4V, fast way to kill your battery.

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                              • gohanG Offline
                                gohanG Offline
                                gohan
                                Mod
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #19

                                it is written that it requires battery protection if your battery doesn't have it and they sell that too

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                                • jamzmJ Offline
                                  jamzmJ Offline
                                  jamzm
                                  wrote on last edited by jamzm
                                  #20

                                  Has anyone gotten their PiModules UPS PIco to work right or for very long? And is it even compatible with a Pi 3B?

                                  alexsh1A 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • bjacobseB Offline
                                    bjacobseB Offline
                                    bjacobse
                                    wrote on last edited by bjacobse
                                    #21

                                    I use this setup for my RPI running Domoticz, it though requires UTP cable connection to your router, to measure if the router provides IP address or you have powerloss.
                                    Your only cost is how big you need/want your powerbank size...

                                    http://raspi-ups.appspot.com/en/index.jsp

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                                    • tony1tfT Offline
                                      tony1tfT Offline
                                      tony1tf
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #22

                                      Carrying on with the "Super Cheap" theme, I have successfully used two Poundshop Lithium ion batteries. They have a 5V USB input and output which can only be used one side at a time. However, connect the two batteries in parallel (+ve to +ve, and - ve to - ve), and you get 2 charger/discharge circuits, so you can power the micro USB side from a USB 5V supply, and the other USB 5V o/p to the Pi. The cheaper ones (1pound) will supply 800mA, but they also have higher power ones for a bit more, especially as they are sometimes on offer.
                                      Tony

                                      gohanG NeverDieN 2 Replies Last reply
                                      0
                                      • tony1tfT tony1tf

                                        Carrying on with the "Super Cheap" theme, I have successfully used two Poundshop Lithium ion batteries. They have a 5V USB input and output which can only be used one side at a time. However, connect the two batteries in parallel (+ve to +ve, and - ve to - ve), and you get 2 charger/discharge circuits, so you can power the micro USB side from a USB 5V supply, and the other USB 5V o/p to the Pi. The cheaper ones (1pound) will supply 800mA, but they also have higher power ones for a bit more, especially as they are sometimes on offer.
                                        Tony

                                        gohanG Offline
                                        gohanG Offline
                                        gohan
                                        Mod
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #23

                                        @tony1tf said in What's the "best" UPS for a Raspberry Pi 3B?:

                                        However, connect the two batteries in parallel (+ve to +ve, and - ve to - ve),

                                        I am not entirely sure I understand this setup...

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • tony1tfT tony1tf

                                          Carrying on with the "Super Cheap" theme, I have successfully used two Poundshop Lithium ion batteries. They have a 5V USB input and output which can only be used one side at a time. However, connect the two batteries in parallel (+ve to +ve, and - ve to - ve), and you get 2 charger/discharge circuits, so you can power the micro USB side from a USB 5V supply, and the other USB 5V o/p to the Pi. The cheaper ones (1pound) will supply 800mA, but they also have higher power ones for a bit more, especially as they are sometimes on offer.
                                          Tony

                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDieN Offline
                                          NeverDie
                                          Hero Member
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #24

                                          @tony1tf Do you mean this kind of charger?
                                          https://www.aliexpress.com/item/ESP32-ESP32S-For-Wemos-For-Raspberry-Pi-18650-Battery-Charge-Shield-Board-V3-Micro-USB-Port/32843629344.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.8.197d1137ao0RVa&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_5711320_10344_10068_10130_10324_10342_10547_10325_10343_10546_10340_10548_10341_10698_10545_10696_10084_5722520_10083_10618_10307_5711220_10059_5722620_5722920_308_5722720_5722820_100031_10103_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_36,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=63f9de1f-1174-45ff-a9fd-4ebff214ea1b-1&algo_pvid=63f9de1f-1174-45ff-a9fd-4ebff214ea1b&transAbTest=ae803_1&priceBeautifyAB=0

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