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  1. Home
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  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
    #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.

    1 Reply Last reply
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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

        1 Reply Last reply
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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
                1
                • 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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                              0
                              • 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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                                        • gohanG Offline
                                          gohanG Offline
                                          gohan
                                          Mod
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #25

                                          2A at 5V... if it works it looks a nice and compact solution

                                          NeverDieN 1 Reply Last reply
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