Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan: specs and pinout
Temperature-controlled fan for the lid of the official Raspberry Pi 4 Case, with a small heatsink for the processor. It is powered from the Raspberry Pi 4's GPIO header.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Input voltage | 5 V DC supplied via the 40-pin GPIO header on Raspberry Pi 4 | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Specification, p.3 |
| Fan speed control | Pulse width modulation control via a user-selectable GPIO pin | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Specification, p.3 |
| Maximum airflow | 1.4 CFM | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Features p.3; Specification p.3 |
| Heatsink | 18 mm x 18 mm x 10 mm with self-adhesive pad | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Features, p.3 |
| Fits | The lid of the official Raspberry Pi 4 Case | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Overview p.2; Features p.3 |
| Case material | Clear PC | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Specification, p.3 |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | 5 V DC from the 40-pin GPIO header on Raspberry Pi 4 | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Specification, p.3; no current figure given |
Pinout
The three fan leads and the header pins they connect to are from the product brief. The brief does not give the fan's current draw.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red lead | 5v | 5 V | Connects to GPIO header pin 4 | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Fitting instructions step 4, p.4 |
| Black lead | Ground | Connects to GPIO header pin 6 | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Fitting instructions step 4, p.4 | |
| Blue lead | GPIO 14 | Connects to GPIO header pin 8; PWM fan speed control on a user-selectable GPIO pin | source Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief (Nov 2020), Fitting instructions step 4, p.4 |
Build with it
Project ideas for the Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan. Each link opens Soldr with the prompt filled in; Soldr assigns the pins, checks power and shows how to wire every part.
- Temperature-controlled Raspberry Pi 4 in a case: The fan is made for the lid of the official Pi 4 case and takes 5 V from the GPIO header. Fan speed can be controlled by PWM on GPIO 14 or another pin you choose.
- Pi 4 retro games console: Emulation keeps the processor busy for long sessions; the fan keeps the Pi 4 at a comfortable temperature under load. Learning project.
- Pi 4 time-lapse camera: Long unattended runs benefit from a fan. Point the camera at plants, not at people; if it can see people, tell them and get their consent first.
Common mistakes
- Connecting a lead to the wrong header pin: the brief says to take care and lists 5v on pin 4, Ground on pin 6 and GPIO 14 on pin 8 (source: link, Fitting instructions step 4)
- Using it in a different case: it is designed for the lid of the official Raspberry Pi 4 Case (source: link, Overview)
- Fitting it with an SD card in: remove any SD card before putting the Pi into the case base (source: link, Fitting instructions step 1)
Not covered by the official source
- The brief gives no current draw or fan voltage tolerance.
Sources
- link (Raspberry Pi 4 Case Fan product brief, November 2020)