[arm-allstar] Pi4, cases, and heat dissipation

[Doug Crompton]

We have been testing the Pi4 with Hamvoip code and it is working well and
will soon be released as a general update which will make the Hamvoip code
compatible with the Pi2, 3, and 4.

In testing it is apparent that the Pi4 creates significantly more heat than
the previous Pi's. The 1G memory model draws about 50% more power at rest.
Not all of this is CPU as the peripheral chips have also been enhanced.

Users should consider a different case style for the Pi4. In particular I
would stay away from totally enclosed cases. The Pi4 will require at a
minimum heatsinks and a fan is highly recommended. I am attaching a link to
a real nifty open case that will work for the Pi3 or Pi4. It is available
on Amazon for $8.99 on Prime. It comes with a case, fan, and heatsinks for
both the Pi3 and Pi4. For the Pi4 it includes heatsinks for every device
all of which are on the top of the board. The case is an open design so if
the fan was to fail it would probably not go into heat throttling unless
you were heavily using the CPU beyond what Hamvoip would require or your
ambient temperature was very high.

In my tests the Pi4, open on the bench, with heatsinks and booted up
running Hamvoip code but not connected anywhere had a constant CPU
temperature of about 57C.  This is with an ambient temperature of about 72F.

The same test installed in the open case with fan resulted in a constant
36C temperature. Better than a 20C or 38F difference!  You do not need to
blow much air over the CPU to cool it. I would also recommend continuous
cooling as cycling the fan would be meaningless with the heat build up of
the Pi4.

Here is the Amazon link to this case. It is a real bargain considering what
it includes.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T2CPC2H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01

Attached are photos of the board that I mounted in this case.


*73 Doug*

*WA3DSP*

*http://www.crompton.com/hamradio <http://www.crompton.com/hamradio>*
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