The Ultimate Guide to Cooling Down Your Raspberry Pi 4 with a Fan

Learn how to install a fan on your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit for efficient and effective cooling of your device. This article will show you the process step-by-step, including choosing the right fan, con …

Updated August 22, 2023

Need help with your Raspberry Pi?
Contact Me!

Do you love silly Raspberry Pi Projects?
Check out my this YouTube Channel!

Choosing the Right Fan

Before connecting any fan to your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit, it’s important to choose one that is compatible with the device and won’t draw too much current. There are several options available in the market, but a good starting point would be a 5V DC fan with a maximum draw of 0.3A or less.

Connecting the Fan

Once you have chosen your fan, connect it to your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit using the GPIO pins. You will need a jumper wire and a breadboard to make connections. Here’s how to do it:

Locate the 5V pin on your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit. It is labeled as “PWR” on the board.
Connect one end of the jumper wire to this pin and the other end to the positive terminal (red wire) of the fan.
Locate any ground pin on the Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit. It is labeled as “GND”.
Connect another end of the jumper wire to this pin and the other end to the negative terminal (black wire) of the fan.
Lastly, connect one end of the jumper wire to GPIO 18 on your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit and the other end to the signal terminal of the fan. You can use any GPIO pin, but for this example, we’ll use GPIO 18.
Connect the breadboard to your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit and make sure all connections are secure.

Controlling Fan Speed with Python Code

Now that you have connected the fan to your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit, it’s time to control its speed using Python code. This will help you regulate the fan based on the temperature of the device and maintain an optimal operating environment. Here’s how to do it:

Open a terminal window on your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit and install the necessary libraries by running the following command:
```
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y && sudo apt-get install python3-gpiozero -y
```
Create a new Python file using your preferred text editor, such as nano or vim:
```
nano fan_control.py
```

Add the following code to control the fan speed based on temperature:

from gpiozero import OutputDevice, CPUTemperature
from time import sleep

# Set the GPIO pin connected to the fan
fan = OutputDevice(18)

while True:
    # Get the CPU temperature
    cpu = CPUTemperature()

    # If the temperature is above 50 degrees Celsius, turn on the fan
    if cpu.temperature > 50:
        fan.on()
    else:
        fan.off()

    # Wait for 1 second before checking the temperature again
    sleep(1)

Save and exit the file, then run it using Python:
```
python3 fan_control.py
```
Your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit should now be cooling down automatically based on its temperature. You can adjust the threshold (in this example, 50 degrees Celsius) to suit your preferences.

In conclusion, installing a fan on your Raspberry Pi 4 CanaKit is essential for maintaining optimal performance and reliability. By following these steps, you’ll be able to keep your device cool and running smoothly. Remember to adjust the code for controlling fan speed based on your needs and preferences. Happy hacking!