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Details on case construction materials and how to remove side panels for pi installation.
Steps for installing the Raspberry Pi using mounting pillars and pre-installation checks.
Connects the 5v RGB Fan's power and ground wires to the Raspberry Pi header pins.
Connects the SSD1306 OLED display, detailing Type 1 and Type 2 pin configurations.
Commands for updating the OS, installing Python3, and pip.
Installs essential libraries like adafruit-python-shell for the OLED.
Steps to enable I2C and verify OLED connection using i2cdetect.
Installs the adafruit-circuitpython-ssd1306 library for the display.
Configures the stats.py script to run automatically on Raspberry Pi startup.
Instructions for removing the front panel to access the SD card.
Guide to expanding the SD card filesystem using raspi-config.
This document describes the Raspberry Pi 3B / 4B Mini Tower Case (v8), a custom-designed enclosure for Raspberry Pi boards. The case is manufactured in Telford, UK, using CNC laser cutting equipment, ensuring precision and quality. It is designed to house a Raspberry Pi, along with an RGB 5V fan and a standard SSD1306 OLED display, providing both protection and enhanced functionality.
The primary function of the Raspberry Pi Mini Tower Case is to provide a secure and aesthetically pleasing enclosure for your Raspberry Pi 3B or 4B. It protects the delicate electronics of the Raspberry Pi from dust, physical damage, and accidental contact, making it suitable for various environments. The case integrates an RGB 5V fan for active cooling, which is crucial for maintaining optimal operating temperatures, especially during intensive tasks, thereby preventing thermal throttling and ensuring stable performance. Additionally, it incorporates an SSD1306 OLED display, allowing users to visualize system statistics, custom messages, or other relevant information directly on the case, enhancing the user experience and providing immediate feedback without needing an external monitor.
The design of the case facilitates easy access to essential Raspberry Pi components and ports. The clear Perspex side panels are removable, allowing for straightforward installation of the Raspberry Pi board. These panels are specifically designed with different slot/hole positions to align correctly with the pi's header pins on the left side and power, HDMI, and other ports on the right side, ensuring all necessary connections are accessible. The case also includes pre-installed mounting pillars/standoffs for securing the Raspberry Pi board, utilizing M2 or M2.5 spacers.
The integrated RGB fan not only provides cooling but also adds a visual element to the case. The fan's wiring is designed for simple connection to the Raspberry Pi's 5V and ground pins. The OLED display, a 4-pin serial display, is pre-wired and ready for connection to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO header, specifically for I2C communication. The manual provides detailed instructions for connecting both the fan and the OLED, ensuring users can set up these features correctly.
The software setup for the OLED display is also comprehensively covered, guiding users through updating the operating system, installing Python 3, and setting up necessary dependency libraries. This includes instructions for enabling the I2C communication interface, installing the Adafruit CircuitPython SSD1306 library, and running a Python script to display system statistics. The case is designed to be a complete solution, combining hardware protection with integrated cooling and display capabilities, all supported by clear setup instructions.
The Raspberry Pi Mini Tower Case is designed for ease of use throughout the installation and operation process.
To install the Raspberry Pi, users first remove the clear Perspex side panels by unscrewing four fastening nuts on each side. It's important to note that the panels are not identical; one has a higher slot/hole for the pi's header pins, and the other has a lower slot/hole for power, HDMI, and other ports. Users then undo the small nuts or screws on the pre-installed mounting pillars/standoffs. Before inserting the Pi, it's crucial to ensure the SD card is installed and heat sinks are fitted to the main CPU and memory chips for optimal thermal management. Once the Pi is in place, the nuts are used to secure it, and any cabling from the fan and OLED should be pushed out of the way to prevent interference.
The RGB 5V fan comes with three wires, but only the red and black wires are used for power. The third wire should be looped to prevent it from interfering with the fan blades. The red wire connects to a 5V pin on the Pi header, and the black wire connects to a ground pin. The manual provides a detailed GPIO pinout diagram to guide users in making these connections accurately.
The SSD1306 OLED display has four pre-connected wires. The color of these wires may vary, but their function remains consistent. The manual identifies two types of OLED wiring sequences based on supplier variations, emphasizing the importance of checking the back of the OLED to determine the correct type. For Type 1 OLEDs, the pins (from left to right) are SDA, SCL, VCC (3.3V), and GND. For Type 2 OLEDs, the pins are SDA, SCL, GND, and VCC (3.3V). The SDA wire connects to the left column 2nd pin down (GPIO 2 Serial Data I2C). The SCL wire connects to the left column 3rd pin down (GPIO 3 Serial Clock I2C). The VCC wire connects to the left column 1st pin down (3.3V). The GND wire connects to the right column 7th pin down (Ground). It is important to note that the OLED uses a 3.3V supply from the Pi board, unlike the fan which uses 5V.
The software setup for the OLED display involves several steps to ensure it functions correctly.
sudo apt-get update, sudo apt-get full -upgrade, and sudo reboot. After rebooting, sudo apt-get install python3-pip and sudo pip3 install --upgrade setuptools are executed.cd ~) and then install adafruit-python-shell using sudo pip3 install --upgrade adafruit-python-shell. They then download and run the raspi-blinka.py script from Adafruit's GitHub repository (wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/adafruit/Raspberry-Pi-Installer-Scripts/master/raspi-blinka.py and sudo python3 raspi-blinka.py). This script enables the I2C communication interface. Users can verify I2C connectivity by typing sudo i2cdetect -y 1 and looking for '3c' in the output. If the OLED is not detected, troubleshooting steps include checking if the I2C interface is enabled via sudo raspi-config or re-checking the wiring.adafruit-circuitpython-ssd1306 library is installed using sudo pip3 install adafruit-circuitpython-ssd1306, along with python3-pil using sudo apt-get install python3-pil.stats.py file from the provided website (https://ideasuniverse.co.uk/pages/downloads) and save it to the root directory (home/pi). They can test the script by running python3 stats.py.crontab -e), select an editor, and add @reboot python3 /home/pi/stats.py & to the end of the file. The & at the end is crucial. After saving and exiting, a reboot will verify the screen comes up on boot.For pre-built systems or SD cards with pre-installed configurations, the default partition size is 16GB. Users can expand this to utilize the full capacity of their SD card by running sudo raspi-config, selecting the "expand filesystem" option, and confirming the choice. A reboot will then show the expanded filesystem.
The Raspberry Pi Mini Tower Case is designed with maintenance and accessibility in mind, particularly for accessing the SD card and other internal components.
The front panel of the case is removable to allow access to the Raspberry Pi's SD card after the Pi has been installed. This is a crucial feature for users who frequently need to swap SD cards or perform system maintenance. The front panel is secured by a bracket fitted to the top bolts of the fan on the inside of the case. To remove the front cover:
The clear Perspex side panels are easily removable by unscrewing four fastening nuts on each side. This feature is not only for initial installation but also for general maintenance, troubleshooting, or upgrading internal components. The ability to quickly remove both sides provides full access to the Raspberry Pi board, the fan, and the OLED display, making it convenient to check connections, clean components, or replace parts if necessary.
The manual explicitly advises users to ensure heat sinks are fitted to the main CPU and memory chips of the Raspberry Pi before inserting it into the case. While the case includes an active cooling fan, proper heat sink installation on critical components is a fundamental maintenance practice to maximize thermal efficiency and prolong the lifespan of the Raspberry Pi, especially under continuous load. This guidance underscores the importance of proactive thermal management.
The design ensures that once the side panels are removed, all wiring for the fan and OLED display is accessible. This allows for easy inspection, re-connection, or modification of the wiring if needed, simplifying troubleshooting in case of display or fan issues. The clear instructions for wiring connections also serve as a reference for re-checking during maintenance.
Overall, the Raspberry Pi Mini Tower Case is designed to be a user-friendly and maintainable enclosure, providing both protection and enhanced functionality for Raspberry Pi users.
General| Color | Varies |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | Varies depending on the specific enclosure |
| Weight | Varies depending on the specific enclosure |
| Accessibility | Varies depending on the specific enclosure (access to ports, GPIO, etc.) |
| Cooling | Varies depending on the specific enclosure (passive cooling, fan mounting options, etc.) |
| Mounting Options | Varies |
| Compatibility | Raspberry Pi 3 Model B |
| Material | Varies (commonly plastic or metal) |