The Raspberry Pi Thread [4]

Just as I expected. Placed the order in the office. And delivered before I got home. :)

I'm listening to my Classic Rock 109 on my laptop as I type this from out on my deck under my gazebo.
I can get KODI on my XBOX now so I switched to that for my media center. That Pi 3B is just sitting there looking for a new life. I haven't found one for it yet. Too many other Pi related things on the go.

Wow, I didn't expect the case to be like this! It has a detachable top cover. Now I don't have to worry about drilling holes for vent. Or maybe I'll install a tiny fan on it. :)

Yeah, there is a bottom, two side pieces, and two top pieces. One sort of looks like a picture frame, and the top one that snaps into it. I think the plan was you could mount the Sense Hat and leave that top most cover off. Or any other hat etc. I tried it (sense hat) but had to modify the picture frame cover so it would actually snap in place. I had to shave some plastic from the under side.
It's a very nice looking case IMHO. There is also a white red version, like the Official Pi Zero case, but its for the 2B. The light pips are on the other side.

Had to redo some of my rover fabrication. I had to put some spacers in the idler wheels to widen the track. The rubber belt was rubbing on the bolts on the brackets I use to mount them. I got lucky, the nuts for my open beam are the same thread as the wheel studs. I put one on each side on the stud between the wheel and mounting bracket. Worked out perfectly. Then just redrilled the mounting holes for the motors to move them out and keep the tracks straight. Also got the motors all wired up to the explorer phat. Didn't actually test run it yet. Havre to wire up the battery and do a few other odds and ends. Neck and back is getting sore so time for a break.

Looks like I have at least one bad motor. Left side stalls way too easy. Swapped out the explorer phat and Pi from one of my two wheel drive rovers and same deal.
And the swapped parts work fine in the two wheel drive rover, so it must be the motor.
The two wheel drive rover has the wheels and motors from this kit. Mini Robot Rover Chassis Kit - 2WD with DC Motors ID: 2939 - $24.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique fun DIY electronics and kits
Those ones are really hard to stall while the micro gear motors are fairly easy to stall? My motors are mounted in the motor cases / covers. Will have to tear it all down to get at them and swap one out. I have 4 so I’ll swap in one of my two spares and see how it goes.
The two two wheel rovers are working great, just not so good for using outside as they tip easily. The struggle continues. =(

I have this G.Skill RAM cooler that doesn't do anything. I took it apart and attached a pin connector to one of the fans. Luckily, the fan fits snuggly onto the Pi case opening and that's it. No need for screws or hot glue. I can easily take it off if I need to. The fan is powered by the Pi itself and still works without a hiccup.

Edit:
One question, which air direction is better? Push? or pull?

I think you'll find on a PC the CPU fan blows down on the heatsink / CPU. I would have it blowing down if it was me. Thing is, where is the air going? With no outlet it will just stall? I think I'd leave one of the side covers off. Which ever one is in the back out of site. Just my 2 cents

alphanumeric said:

I think you'll find on a PC the CPU fan blows down on the heatsink / CPU. I would have it blowing down if it was me. Thing is, where is the air going? With no outlet it will just stall? I think I'd leave one of the side covers off. Which ever one is in the back out of site. Just my 2 cents :)

Yeah, I took one side off opposite the HDMI port side. Thanks for the input. We have the same thinking about air direction.

What do you use the rovers for? Just playing around with it?