Installing a case, fan and heatsink


Installing a case, fan and heatsink

If you want to build a media player I seriously recommend using a case, heatsink and fan combination. The PI can run rather hot when streaming 1080 HD media. The pretty pink or black standard cases do not have fittings for a fan or ventilation holes. After buying a pink one and finding it ran too hot for my liking I decided to buy a clear case with a fan for better cooling, you live and learn.
Ironically the fan and case were cheaper.

Option 1 - Pink original case, also available in Black.


The PI ready to be fitted in a pretty pink case


Fit the Pi into the base first, put the end with the Led's in first, then gently ease the rest in.


Fit the side panels, they will only fit one way, look at the sockets for clues, the cam and display sockets have blanks in to keep dust out.


Only the two tops to go. Why two tops? Allows access for cam and other 'hats' (auxiliary PCB's)

Look ventilation-


The PI has got it's hat on!



Ready to go!




Okay - Option 2 - Clear case and Fan


Jigsaw puzzle of parts



Fan and mounting screws - note I do NOT like this connector, it can easily short the pins on the next row! I used a different one as I needed a power switch too.



Mount the fan with it's screws, do tighten with a screwdriver and pliers. Fans vibrate and make noise, more so if they are loose. I can hear this across a quiet room! I have an idea to quieten it later.



Remember fans should extract so make sure it is this way up. Check the orientation of the slots, you may want to plug a display or camera in later. I got it wrong first time!



If you are just installing a fan it can go on pins (4) +5v and (6) ground. I wanted something more ambitious. I did not use this connector in the end.

There is inly one ground pin at this end, so I made an adapter up.  Pins 4 and 6 to the fan, and pins 4 and 5 to the power switch. The power switch needs software to work, I need to find better software for the power switch. Wires twisted and checked ready to solder.


You may get away without soldering if you are very careful but I recommend soldering and taping properly. I do have a background in Electronics, so I will not bodge the job.



Wires soldered and trimmed neatly, less to go wrong.



I prefer to tease the wires so that they flow naturally rather than double back. Prepare some insulating tape length with a sharp knife or scissors. It is much neater then ripping the tape and risking damaging thin wires.


Neater is safer - meticulously prepared! I shortened all the wires as they will foul the fan and are not easy to fold up inside the case. (Red is positive 5v on the fan and Black is ground, the power switch does not matter which way round it is)


Ignore the legend on the (new) fan connector, this is the fan connection. If that is all you are doing, read no further!



The Blue wire connecting to pin 1 is redundant. I cut it short but left enough to re-use if I choose to. (That's called a service length, around 25mm or 1inch)

Heatsinks were installed prior to writing this, they just stick on, keep them central on the chips. One on CPU/GPU and one on the Northbridge chip.


Wiring Diagram for power and fan combo.

This is for a PI rev 2 only - you could also do a reset switch too. For other versions there are plenty of articles.


Pin 4 +5v - to Fan Red wire
only on a PI 3 rev 2, others use may pin 2 as pin 4 is NC - do not connect so check!

Pin 5 GPIO9 - to power switch

Pin 6 ground - to Fan black wire and Power switch other wire.


Or if you want to know more -



The back case panel, see the slot for the SD card, I had to mod the case side later as SD is not removable easily with the case assembled. This might not be a problem unless you wish to experiment, but that is why I bought a PI.


 Case coming together, you need good dexterity and many hands, or a friend.

Almost there, laying things out give you time to check before you assemble, you can test it first.

The power switch is a reset switch from an old PC, a power switch will do too if it is momentary contact, i.e. non latching. Or visit Maplin or Ebay or other electronics shops.

The end near the fan needs to fit between the sides without pushing them apart, this forms a primitive hinge. the end nearest has to be gently clipped into place, it has spring cut-outs to old the whole case in place.


The wires want to push the case apart, elastic band to the rescue. You could use a dab of hot-glue or PVA adhesive once you have tested and made sure you can access the SD slot.


Looking great! Power and HDMI connected.

Now to program the Fan Control