What's the "best" UPS for a Raspberry Pi 3B?
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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=pand 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.
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Your approach does have the virtue of no lithium fire hazard.
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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=1I 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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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!
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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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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 -
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=pand 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.
@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 -
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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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
@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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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... -
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
