Cool Down Your Raspberry Pi with an External Fan

A step-by-step guide to installing and configuring an external fan for your Raspberry Pi 3 B+. …


Updated September 12, 2023

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A step-by-step guide to installing and configuring an external fan for your Raspberry Pi 3 B+.

Installing a Fan on Raspberry Pi 3 B+

Running a Raspberry Pi without proper cooling can lead to overheating issues, which can cause system instability and even damage to the device. To prevent this, it’s crucial to install an external fan that can help keep your Raspberry Pi 3 B+ well-ventilated and running smoothly. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of installing a fan on your Raspberry Pi 3 B+, from purchasing the necessary components to configuring your system for optimal performance.

Components You’ll Need

To complete this project, you will need the following components:

  1. Raspberry Pi 3 B+: The device we are cooling down with our external fan.
  2. Micro USB Fan: A small and efficient fan designed to be powered by a micro USB port. These can be found for under $5 on online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
  3. USB Hub: To power the fan, you’ll need a USB hub with its own power supply. This ensures that your Raspberry Pi is not overloaded and provides additional ports for future expansion.
  4. Soldering Iron & Solder: You will need to solder wires to the fan and connect it to the GPIO header on your Raspberry Pi 3 B+.
  5. Wire Strippers: To remove insulation from the wires before soldering, you’ll need a pair of wire strippers.
  6. Soldering Flux: To help with soldering and clean the joints, you can use soldering flux. It’s not necessary but makes the process much easier.
  7. Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: For securing the fan to your Raspberry Pi, a hot glue gun and some glue sticks will do the trick.

Connecting the Fan

Before connecting the fan, make sure that your Raspberry Pi is turned off and all external devices are disconnected for safety reasons. Now, you’ll need to solder the wires from the fan to the GPIO header on your Raspberry Pi 3 B+. Here’s how:

  1. Strip about 1cm of insulation from one end of each wire on the fan using wire strippers.
  2. Solder one end of each wire to the GND (ground) pin on the GPIO header and the other end to the 5V power pin. Make sure to clean the solder joints with soldering flux if you’re using it.
  3. Once soldered, set the fan aside and turn your Raspberry Pi back on. You should hear the fan spinning up immediately.

Securing the Fan

To ensure that your fan stays securely in place and doesn’t fall off or become damaged, use a hot glue gun to attach it to the underside of your Raspberry Pi 3 B+. You may need to remove the case to do this, depending on your model. Here are the steps:

  1. Position the fan so that it is evenly distributed and won’t interfere with any components or ports on the Raspberry Pi 3 B+.
  2. Apply a small amount of hot glue to the bottom of the fan and press it onto the underside of your device. Make sure to apply even pressure so that the fan stays secure.
  3. Let the glue cool for about a minute, then place the Raspberry Pi case back on if necessary.

Testing Your Setup

To make sure everything is working as expected, monitor your Raspberry Pi’s temperature using a tool like vcgencmd. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:

vcgencmd measure_temp

With the fan installed and secured properly, you should see that the temperature is significantly lower than without it. This will help ensure that your Raspberry Pi runs cooler and more efficiently for longer periods of time.

Conclusion

By installing a fan on your Raspberry Pi 3 B+, you can significantly reduce the risk of overheating issues and maintain optimal performance for your device. With just a few simple steps and the right components, you can have a cooler, quieter, and more efficient Raspberry Pi setup in no time. Remember to keep an eye on your temperature readings regularly to ensure everything is running smoothly.