Tired of Lighting Bolt

mat

I have had a regular raspberry pi 3 since 2016 & I always seem to have a lighting bolt show up. Sometimes it's bad, other times I go days without any issues.

Usually it's fixed with a jiggle of the connection to the pi itself.

I have tried other outlets and it's always the same thing.

I have thought about getting another AC adaptor but haven't.

Here is my adaptor, there is no name. It does have an on/off switch on the cord.

Only thing I have attached is a USB Keyboard & Pokken controller. Even unplugging both doesn't make a difference.

Is this a low voltage for the pi 3, or would a pi 3+ be better since I read it has better power management?

mitu

Get an official adapter if you want to get rid of the low voltage signs. The 3B+ has a better thermal management than the previous model, but for power - it actually needs more:

Note that Raspberry Pi 3B+ does consume substantially more power than its predecessor. We strongly encourage you to use a high-quality 2.5A power supply, such as the official Raspberry Pi Universal Power Supply.

Source: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-3-model-bplus-sale-now-35/

mat

Would the CanaKit be best or the official Raspberry Pi Universal Power Supply?

Efriim

I get low voltage warnings. It is pretty consistent with a variety of things.
The micro-usb connector, which loses gauge on the small connectors is usually fixed with a touch.
Plugging in a controller or phone to charge.
Using all four cpu cores with an overclock.

I haven't tried and tested or exchanged and compensated:
Lower-voltage cpu underclock.
Unplugging the fan that uses the same powersupply.
Tested different USB devices to interpolate the voltage supply loss.
Plug the power directly into the raspberry pi rather than through the retroflag case and gpio.
Disabling wifi or bluetooth with dtoverlay.

I have a 5V 2.5A with a 6ft. cord. Next on my list is to get a 5.2-5.25V 2.5-3A, and I don't know which one.

Browsing
Argon One 5.25V 3A ?length <-- I'd buy this one.
KEYESTUDIO 5.25V 2.4A 1m
Argon One Case with Charger

I don't have any money.

quicksilver

@mat I would avoid the canakit adapters. While some people have not had issues with them, there are quite a number of people that have (myself being one). I would stick with the official.

mat

Are the ones on ebay, shipped from china, OK to get? Several show official but ship from there.

Efriim

@mat
It isn't probable to receive a defective one.

mat

Do the official ones all have the https://www.element14.com on the upper right & come in a white box with the raspberry pi logo on the front too?

Efriim

@mat
https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/Overclocking#power-supply

Official power supply

I don't want you to get another 5V power supply and then think why does it still get low-voltage warning.

But I can't say from experience that a 5.25 Volt power supply or an Official Powersupply will solve this either.

Maybe read more about it, and try to find real product reviews, and then choose.

mat

@Efriim I was just trying to avoid Amazon since I would dislike paying shipping & sales tax when I have eBay bucks to burn off. I rarely use Amazon.

I also don't have my system overclocked.

Efriim

@mat
I get the undervolts regardless of the clock or voltage settings. I only meant that I haven't tested it thoroughly or recorded any data.
How long is the cord on your power supply?

mat

@Efriim 3ft

Efriim

@mat
Mine is over 6'. Nothing to deduce yet. Can you read the AWG along the cord? it looks maybe 25.

What you need is to solder a DC Barrel Jack to the Pi for the supplying power through.

mat

@Efriim there is 20 next to the awg and awm 2464

ByteThis

@Efriim I have this one : https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N9SL18E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have had it for 2 1/2 years now..5V 3A . I have had no problems with it at all. Nice to have a switch inline that works . I use them on PI 3's .

Efriim

@mat
Bahaha your avatar.... Mine is the same gauge. Only 6.5Feet.

@ByteThis
The 3A is able to supply a stronger reliable voltage from one source.
But so is nuclear power... in canada.

ByteThis

@Efriim Yup..I live about 20 km away from a nuclear power reactor for supplying power to communities..people are dying from Cancer here like it is the common cold..In Canada..the Oil industry also accumulates to the poisoned people.

But power for the Pi is A-OK..lol :-)

Efriim

@ByteThis
It must be the old one, they are all kind of old now. It is chaotic to think about that power in a material. This history was placed in front of us with and without directions. It is mostly chaos, but it isn't surprising that there isn't a gravedigger or general physicist for saving people. It's good to hear from Canada though.

simpleethat

@ByteThis said in Tired of Lighting Bolt:

@Efriim I have this one : https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N9SL18E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have four of these running at the moment and I've not had a problem with any of them.

Edit: I personally don't trust anything that disconnects from the wall wart and the switch (especially now that they have LEDs) is just absolute bonus. I only need one to have the switch but I get them for all of my raspberry pi things if they need an inline switch or not.

ByteThis

@Efriim said in Tired of Lighting Bolt:

@ByteThis
It must be the old one, they are all kind of old now. It is chaotic to think about that power in a material. This history was placed in front of us with and without directions. It is mostly chaos, but it isn't surprising that there isn't a gravedigger or general physicist for saving people. It's good to hear from Canada though.

Not an old one..they are constantly going offline and shutting down for repairs as the hydro community suffers with rate increases.