How do I get the low voltage warning to fricking shut up?!?

VictimRLSH

I've been running my current config for weeks without any problems, EXCEPT almost constant nagging for the low voltage warning and that stupid lighting bolt showing up in my games. My power supply is working fine, I'd like to get rid of that. Is it a separate process I can just delete from a startup script or is it built into some other process that is actually necessary?

stoney66

It means you either need to get a better power supply or you have too many USB devices running off the PI and they need their own external power source.

mitu

@victimrlsh said in How do I get the low voltage warning to #$%&ing shut up?!?:

My power supply is working fine, I'd like to get rid of that.

No, it's not - that's what the low voltage warning is trying to tell you. If you get that constantly, then you need a proper power source - there's no software solution to fix a hardware problem.
Also, please be mindful of the forum rules and abstain yourself from swearing, it's an all ages support forum.

VictimRLSH

The warning has been the ONLY symptom. The pi has never locked up or failed in any other way. It may just be borderline and triggering the warning, but not low enough to do anything. I'd still like to know how to disable the warning.

stoney66

Yes it's probably just borderline, I had the same issue and bought a better power supply and no longer have this issue.

https://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-Supply-Adapter-Listed/dp/B00MARDJZ4

VictimRLSH

I'd rather not ditch this USB supply, it's 50,000 mAh and has several outputs for multiple devices. It also cost $159 when I got it a couple years ago.

http://www.maxoak.net/laptop-power-bank/show/11.html

stoney66

Are you using the USB port that says 2.1A? Thats not enough in most cases, you need 2.5A.

rbaker

@victimrlsh said in How do I get the low voltage warning to fricking shut up?!?:

it's 50,000 mAh

These ultra high capacity batteries that offer multiple ports only supply 2.1A per port at 5V. Not enough. The rating you describe is about the ability of the battery to charge an iphone 10 times over. It will not hold a stable 5V at 2.5A. That is why you are seeing a warning. Post your setup according to https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first.

gomisensei

@victimrlsh said in How do I get the low voltage warning to fricking shut up?!?:

I've been running my current config for weeks without any problems, EXCEPT almost constant nagging for the low voltage warning and that stupid lighting bolt showing up in my games. My power supply is working fine, I'd like to get rid of that. Is it a separate process I can just delete from a startup script or is it built into some other process that is actually necessary?

What everyone else said, 50000 mAh is the capacity, not the maximum current of the power source. 2.5A is recommended for optimal use of the rpi3, 3.0A for the rpi3+. IF your power supply doesn't provide that or more at 5VDC, that's why you're having the problem.

You have only 2 options to solve your problem. Supply your pi with the recommended power, or underclock your pi so it doesn't need to use as much power. The first option is definitely the best way.

Darksavior

Also, if using a generic usb cable, it’ll probably be very thin and not sufficient even if the power supply is capable. 18awg is highly recommended along with a 5.1v power supply to compensate for the .1v loss through the cable.

VictimRLSH

Cable WAS the problem. Swapped the 6' junk cable for 6" quick charge and no more low voltage warnings.

VictimRLSH

I'll still be using this supply when my B+ gets here. Going to overclock it so the 2.1A won't cut it, but I should be able to use a USB Y cable to parallel the ports and get more than enough current capacity. I'll still have the 1A ports for the display and sound power. Display uses 500mA, so should be good having it on one of the lower ports.