Pi-top 4 fan loud

pi-top [4]
,
#9

Hi @duwudi,
Thanks for the info. Someone suggested something similar before, but my memory is too hazy.
Is this other port the one next to where it is plugged into “as shipped?” I can do that. I’ll have to open up both pi-tops and compare, though. That’s not unpleasant and I don’t mind.

You say I can control it at that point? How do I do that? I don’t know how to control that port from software, but I am a software developer. Just tell me.

I’d love to do this and make use of my two units. I have a project that I could do!

Thanks,

Eirikur

#10

@Eirikur yeah it’s got a label on the silkscreen too - should be fairly easy to swap it over, just remove the 2 screws for the upper casing, pop it off and you’ll have access to switch it. There might be a “warranty void” sticker on that connector but don’t worry about that if there is, not sure what batch you’ve got but we’ve removed that sticker now anyway :slight_smile:

@RezIN is writing a guide for you which will be on our knowledgebase in about an hour or so - I’ll leave it to him to post a link when he’s done!

#11

Fresh off the pi-top printing press!
Here’s the guide on how to control the fan speed.
@Eirikur

2 Likes
#12

@RezIN in the quick guide it mentions that:

“We’re planning to release a firmware update that will allow users to choose between fast charging (the current default) and regular charging to reduce the heat generated by the pi-top [4] and therefore reduce the fan speed during charging (Sept 2020).“

I presume the firmware has been updated, as the fan is not as loud as it used to be. But it is still noisy.

Has anyone, @Eirikur perhaps, followed the quick guide to swap the fan over and how quiet is the result?

#13

Christmas is a great time for fault finding, but a poor time to contact support. … However, now that the update is out and further to the last discussions between @SteveK and @RezIN, how do we control the fan or charge speed etc.?

I have now mounted and monitored the pi-top (nearly) vertically on the screen and keyboard and while “pretty”, the fan is profoundly annoying. … there is a sound like a scrape or rattle at approximately 0.5 Hz - not constant. … it is like the fan bearing is running to an “end stop point” - hitting the case and bouncing off it. I’m not sure if I can attach audio here, but I’m going to have to find a better fan or another fix - not pleased.

Anyone else have such an experience? - the sound is similar to putting a pen into a PC case fan and withdrawing it after a second.

#15

Mine started doing this yesterday, does this on a cold boot and lasts for around 2 hours. this is usually signs of a fan that is close to failing

#16

thx … I’m hunting a 30x30x7 ULN replacement fan

#17

@nannerbm60 if you contact support we can send out a replacement cooling fan. The issue with all fans is they do have a maximum lifespan, and unfortunately, our original firmware speed profile tended to have the cooling fan turned on constantly which meant that the 5000 hours or so that it’s rated for ran out quickly - the fan should last a lot longer in future with the new firmware :+1:

#18

Is the replacement fan the new design? I was promised a new fan and mezzanine board to test as the fan is really load and very distracting.

#19

Thx - good tip. I’m on to that now after a bit of time AFK over the break

#20

Hi, Rezual promised to send me a new fan and mezzanine board to test back in October 2020. I’ve not heard anything since. Have the updates to the cooling system been done and are they available?

#21

Has the new firmware been released? How do I know if I’m on the new firmware? My pi-top often spins when it’s idling.

Are there any better fans to replace this noisy monster? Could you give a model number and spec for the fan so I can try to hunt for a replacement? Would something like this fit?

#22

Hi @despots. If you want to know if you’re on the new firmware, run the pi-top devices command into the terminal and it should say which version you’re on.

We have the specs of the fan our knowledge base that you can find here. If you are still having major problems. Contact us on our support email support@pi-top.com and we can look at further solutions or possibly a replacement.

#23

The spec is very incomplete. What is the exact voltage and current requirements? A model number or manufacturer would be great.

The terminal output I get is

HUB =================================================================================================================
pi-top [4] (v0.4)
PERIPHERALS =========================================================================================================
[ ] pi-top [4] Foundation Plate
[ ] pi-top [4] Expansion Plate
[ ] pi-top Touchscreen
[ ] pi-top Keyboard
[ ] pi-topPULSE
[ ] pi-topSPEAKER (v1) - Left channel
[ ] pi-topSPEAKER (v1) - Mono
[ ] pi-topSPEAKER (v1) - Right channel
[ ] pi-topSPEAKER (v2)
[ ] pi-topPROTO+

Is the hub v0.4 the version I should be looking for? Is it up to date? If not how do I update it. It seems my internal speaker is making constant white noise, which “amplified” the perception of fan noise. Any ideas?

#24

Hi @despots could you send a photo of your pi-top [4]? Please remember to hide any and all personal info in the photo. In your photo try to include the top of the pi-top and the side showing all of the ports. I’ll also message you separately for the serial number on the underside

#25

image
image2506×2202 1.28 MB

Fan running at full speed
#26

I had thought you might have been shipped a prototype version but it all looks fine.

We’ll arrange to have it collected and investigate the issue, hope that’s okay.

Could you remind me if you’re using pi-top OS or something else?
Did the fan get gradually louder? Duwudi mentioned to someone else that the fan has a maximum lifecycle, do you think that’s something that’s happened here?

-RezN

#27

I’m running the latest pi-top OS.

The fan has always been loud since the beginning. I can understand it running at full speed when booting up. But it often turns on full speed when nothing is going on.

I don’t think it’s reached lifecycle as I’ve only used it very lightly (<100h).

I’ll email support as you suggested.

#28

I just wanted to ask something here as I am new to the Pi-Top.

Because of some issues installing the program I want to run on Pi-Top OS, I am running Raspberry Pi OS.

After installing the Pi-Top drivers, the fan seems to be working fine connected to J2.

It kicks in almost silently on boot or/and at 55°C and turns off at about 49°C. I haven;t managed to get it any hotter.

When I install the fan on J8 and control the fan by the GPIO and option on the OS, then it kicks at 60°C at full speed and then turns off at about 50°C.

Is the 55°C the speed that it would kick in at when using Pi-Top OS? Are the current drivers able to run the fan on variable speed when using Raspberry Pi OS?

Thanks.

#29

Dear @Riz, @RezIN @duwudi - Merry Christmas. … Like Dec 2020 I find myself with a very sick fan on the pi-top 4 and in Summer here, that’s “not cool”. … I’m going to have to hunt a fan tomorrow (27th) … probably ball bearing and print a new case top. … I’ve looked at your specs again and have reduced confidence - the actual fan look like 35mm x 35mm - and 3 wires. What are the specs of the installed fan please? max Voltage, dimensions etc … thx

If others have the data - please “yell”