I think my Pi either just over heated, burned out, or shorted out, please help..

Jiryn · 3 May 2018, 03:33

Pi Model or other hardware: 3 B
Power Supply used: (If using a Pi): Vilros
RetroPie Version Used: v4.1 (or newest since Dec 2017, when I last updated)
Built From: RetroPie Website
USB Devices connected: SFC PRO
Controller used: SFC PRO

I think my Raspberry PI either just over heated, shorted out, or burned out, it was captured live on stream

I was playing SNES games, and mid game, the game started to warp and slow down and suddenly just crashed to a black screen and I can't get the system to restart.

The system is luke-warm to the touch, but the cord, specifically the point of connection is quite warm.
Earlier in the night I was using the power adapter and cord for the SNES CLASSIC since it also uses a Micro USB cable, and the cord is very thick, sturdy and conductive. I had used this setup for hours previously with no problem.

I noticed that tonight however, a lightning bolt kept appearing on screen, and upon further research, said there were minor power fluctuations in the system.

So I quickly shut down the system, and connected the VELOS power cord it originally came with.

When I originally bought the Pi, I bought this set https://www.amazon.com/Vilros-Raspberry-Clear-Power-Supply/dp/B01D92SSX6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1520218847&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=vilros&psc=1

I didn't like the open area over the board, late last year, I purchased this case https://www.amazon.com/Eleduino-Raspberry-Aluminum-Enclosure-Heatsinks/dp/B01LXGZWSH/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520220065&sr=1-17&keywords=raspberry+pi+3+case which has no ventilation.

I would be great ful for any help or advice, I'm worried it overheated, burned out, or just shorted.
Though I wonder if switching from one cord to the other without giving the system rest (I did shut it down fully first) may have caused the issue as well.

spruce_m00se · 5 Mar 2018, 05:25

I had a similar experience back in August when I travelled and forgot the power supply for the Pi, I tried to run it from a phone charger, it booted up and then had the lightning bolt, then it crashed and wouldnt even light up when I plugged it in.
I let it sit for maybe 30 mins, then plugged it into a power bank that could supply 2 amps and it booted back up.

In my case I dont think heat was the issue, but again, if power is the issue I wonder why it wouldnt boot for some time, either way it worked again after about 30 mins. So hopefully by now yours is booting again :)

Jiryn · 3 May 2018, 05:35

@spruce_m00se
I was going to try again in the morning with the power supply it came with again, instead of the SNES CLASSIC one i had used earlier before switching.

Jiryn · 3 May 2018, 07:43

@spruce_m00se
Just tried it again, the lightning bolt is still flashing, and causing major slow down in game.
I can capture it if you like, but I didn't want to risk a crash and quit out.

Is there a good/suggested PSU for the console?

edmaul69 · 3 May 2018, 08:36

This post is deleted!

Jiryn · 6 Mar 2018, 01:37

It's a bad AC adapter, shorted out by a bad power strip (tested both)
I've replaced the power strip, which adapter should I go with?

Here are my top 3 choices
#1. https://www.amazon.com/NorthPada-Raspberry-Supply-Charger-Adapter/dp/B01N336XEU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520297376&sr=8-2&keywords=NorthPada+Micro+USB+Raspberry+Pi+Charger (Worried about the button is all)

#2. https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Supply-Adapter-Charger/dp/B00MARDJZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520299229&sr=8-1&keywords=CanaKit+5V+2.5A+Raspberry+Pi+Power+Source

#3. https://www.amazon.com/Enokay-Supply-Raspberry-Charger-Adapter/dp/B01MZX466R/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520296676&sr=8-3&keywords=retropie+power+supply (Which will go with my high quality Anker cords)

If you have any better suggestions! Please link them, it'll help immensely!
Thank you all!

Clyde · 3 Jun 2018, 20:38

@jiryn I recommend the official universal micro USB power supply of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

stoo · 3 Jun 2018, 21:51

@jiryn There are so many fakes on Amazon and eBay that it's a roll of the dice every time. You might get what you ordered, you might just get something that looks kinda like it. Even if you do get a genuine product, it may not offer the performance it promises. As an example, the first PSU you linked has the following review:

Didn't keep rated voltage even at 2.5 amps draw.
By Daniel on February 17, 2018
Verified Purchase
Did not hold up voltage at less than the rated amperage. Considering the RasPi draws 2.5 amps and this being rated at 3 amps still couldn't keep up the rated voltage I would stay away.

The other PSUs you linked had similar reviews.

As Clyde said, your best bet - by far - is the official PSU. Buy it from one of the authorised sellers in your country using the link in his post.

Riverstorm · 7 Mar 2018, 23:47

@spruce_m00se said in I think my Pi either just over heated, burned out, or shorted out, please help..:

if power is the issue I wonder why it wouldnt boot for some time, either way it worked again after about 30 mins.

Probably the fuse the Pi uses a special type called a 'polyfuse'. The fuse will automatically reset if tripped after a period of time left powered off (up to several hours) on its own. I think every time it trips the resistance gets a little higher. Basically the more times it's tripped the more under-voltage/power issues you'll see with your Pi until it can't be powered properly or dies.

stoo · 3 Aug 2018, 15:35

@riverstorm Yeah, from Wikipedia:

"This cooling usually takes a few seconds, though a tripped device will retain a slightly higher resistance for hours, slowly approaching the initial resistance value. The resetting will often not take place even if the fault alone has been removed with the power still flowing as the operating current may be above the holding current of the PPTC. The device may not return to its original resistance value; it will most likely stabilize at a significantly higher resistance (up to 4 times initial value). It could take hours, days, weeks or even years for the device to return to a resistance value similar to its original value, if at all"

You might be OK if you keep the Pi cool, use the official power supply and remove the Pi from the power source completely when you're not using it. Otherwise, it'll probably trip again as soon as the voltage starts to drop.

Riverstorm · 8 Mar 2018, 16:37

@stoo said in I think my Pi either just over heated, burned out, or shorted out, please help..:

You might be OK if you keep the Pi cool, use the official power supply and remove the Pi from the power source completely when you're not using it. Otherwise, it'll probably trip again as soon as the voltage starts to drop.

I've read some say it never returns to the initial low resistance. I also read somewhere that some even try putting them in the freezer to expedite that process but I don't know the validity of it. I've never had one blow. Knock on wood.

stoo · 3 Aug 2018, 20:08

@riverstorm As I understand it, it never returns to the original resistance but it can get close enough that using it "normally" won't cause the polyfuse to heat up to the point where it trips again. Plus, keeping the Pi cool is a good idea generally :P

I've never had a power issue with my RPi3, but then I've always used the official PSU.

stephensmattlee · 8 Mar 2018, 20:33

I also suggest giving the official power adapter a go, I had the lightning bolt and severe slowdowns when playing games using the CanaKit power adapter that came with my Pi but all problems went away when I tried the official adapter instead. Hope you manage to get yours working properly again

spruce_m00se · 11 Mar 2018, 05:25

I guess I will have to read up on polyfuses, but it makes no sense to me that a fuse would trip when the supply voltage goes too low. In theory I know that something using a fixed amount of watts would draw more amps at a lower voltage, but if a power supply cant supply enough juice at 5V then it can supply it at a lower voltage either.

Either way, the Pi that I had which tripped, has worked flawlessly for six months since, so im not worried, and if it got worse, I guess id replace the polyfuse if the concencus is that it is the issue.

stoo · 11 Mar 2018, 07:05

@spruce_m00se "but if a power supply cant supply enough juice at 5V then it can supply it at a lower voltage either."

I believe the undervoltage protection on the Pi is mostly there because the Pi quickly becomes unstable when faced with a (relatively small) voltage loss caused by excessive load. It's more about being able to trace crashing or data corruption problems to a power fault than fear that the Pi will go up in blue smoke because someone used a cheap PSU.

I think there are separate fuses on the USB ports to prevent people from killing their Pi while attempting to power their desk fans through them :P

I may be wrong about the above, but that's what I gather from reading forum posts.

Clyde · 11 Mar 2018, 07:37

@stoo said in I think my Pi either just over heated, burned out, or shorted out, please help..:

I think there are separate fuses on the USB ports to prevent people from killing their Pi while attempting to power their desk fans through them :P

What?! :O *quickly removes the desk fan and refridgerator from his Pi's usb ports*

stoo · 11 Mar 2018, 16:59

@clyde lol, yeah I found my GE752 motor was a bit much for the Pi to handle.

spruce_m00se · 14 Mar 2018, 08:15

@stoo I understand that, but Ive never seen a "fuse" that blows when the voltage is too low. Normally they are for high voltage. It makes no sense to me how a fuse can blow or trip from low voltage.

markwkidd · 14 Mar 2018, 08:40

This post is deleted!

markwkidd · 14 Mar 2018, 08:45

@spruce_m00se said in I think my Pi either just over heated, burned out, or shorted out, please help..:

@stoo I understand that, but Ive never seen a "fuse" that blows when the voltage is too low. Normally they are for high voltage. It makes no sense to me how a fuse can blow or trip from low voltage.

"Some Pi models have an onboard chip which detects a low voltage. This is used to drive the power LED on some Pi models." https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/60593/how-raspbian-detects-under-voltage