GPIO connections for a DGT Pi

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Hamilton53

Getting ready to install a low-profile fan and large heat sink in my DGT Pi, so I identified the GPIO connections just in case I need to reconnect one of them. Raspberry is a 3b+ but connections are the same for a 3b model.

Red = 1; Blue = 3; White = 5; Black = 9; Green = 12; Yellow = 35

Fan uses GPIO Red = 4 (5v) and Black = 6 (gnd).

Note: I had to remove the existing heat sinks. Using dental floss (to "saw" through the paste) made it easy. Clean remaining residue with Q-tip and alcohol.

Six screws need removed from the underside of the Pi to disassemble. All locations visible in first image. 

The bottom line after installing the fan - The fan produces a lot of airflow at the cost of a constant hum.  Probably typical for a 5-volt fan, but it's always there. I wish it would throttle.  I played a match against the Rodent 4 bot and the CPU temperature never exceeded 43.5 C (110 F). The CPU would not be uncomfortable to touch. 

The DGT Pi has a 3b+ Raspberry, a fan, and is running version 3 of Picochess.  Certainly no longer "stock".  

I like to try a 3.3-volt fan, but the DGT Pi is already using GPIO 1, so that's not an option. 

The only issue I ran into with this upgrade was popping that black ground wire loose and having to re-solder it :-} 

Here's a video with the fan running in the DGT Pi Fan

Bottom Line - With fan: 43.5 C; with heat sinks only: 53 C

Is it worth the constant drone of the fan? I think not... 

 

GeorgeGoodnight

You da Pi man! Liquid cooling next??? 

Hamilton53

ya... most likely with my morning coffee :-)