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Cluster Case Assembly Instructions
This guide will show you how to assemble the Cluster Case for Raspberry Pi (with Fans). All you'll need is a simple cross-head screwdriver.
Step 1 – Grab your box! You should find 3 perspex layers, a bag of fixings and two 5V fans
Step 2 – Peel the protective film off of both sides of all layers and clean off any dust
Step 3 – Installing the fans is a straightforward screw/nut situation, you'll want to install a 5V fan to the lid layer and *one* of the Raspberry Pi layers. Don't leave them so loose that they rattle when the fans are spinning, but also don't do them up so tight that you crack the acrylic!
Be sure to copy both the acrylic,fan and cable orientations below.
Step 4 – Next, we'll install the hex standoffs that your Raspberry Pi will sit on to both Raspberry Pi layers, it's another screw/nut setup!
Step 5 – Install the four M3 pillars to the (fanless) Raspberry Pi layer. This will form our base.
Step 6 – Now we can add our Raspberry Pi, securing it with the four M2.5 screws. The Raspberry Pi sits atop the hex standoffs to create some good airflow underneath
Step 7 – We'll start building upwards now! Install the 5V fan from the remaining Raspberry Pi layer, ensure it's correctly plugged into the 5V and GND pins
Step 8 – Layer complete. From here you can repeat steps - as many times as your heart desires (or until you run out of Raspberry Pis!).
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Step 9 – Connect the final fan and secure the lid layer using the M3 done nuts provided. Don't forget to add your rubber feet to the base of the case - they help absorb some of the fan noise. Job done!
10 comments
shareef
Is this compatible with the pi 5?
Is this compatible with the pi 5?
David Parsons
is it possible to use the cluster case for the Pi Zero and stack that on top of this?
if not can it be considered
is it possible to use the cluster case for the Pi Zero and stack that on top of this?
if not can it be considered
D
What is the fan size for this case?
What is the fan size for this case?
Philip Male
So it’s not great with a POE hat, just done one with the new POE+ hat on two pi4.
Build as shown in the pictures, but then only attach the pi4 to the case using two screws next to the GPIO block, then on the opposite side just leave it supported on the case pillars, but not screwed in.
On the POE+ hat I’ve used two silver spacers (that come with the HAT) screwed onto the HAT board on the opposite side to the GPIO connector.
When you attach the POE+ hat it is supported by the GPIO connector on one side, and the silver spacers on the other, the pi4 then is supported by the case pillars at all four corners but only attached with two screws next to the GPIO block.
It’s robust enough to not move about.
The spacers are NOT high enough for a 40-pin GPIO height extender through the POE+ board – the main pillar spacers would need to be a few mm higher to make that work.
So it’s not great with a POE hat, just done one with the new POE+ hat on two pi4.
Build as shown in the pictures, but then only attach the pi4 to the case using two screws next to the GPIO block, then on the opposite side just leave it supported on the case pillars, but not screwed in.
On the POE+ hat I’ve used two silver spacers (that come with the HAT) screwed onto the HAT board on the opposite side to the GPIO connector.
When you attach the POE+ hat it is supported by the GPIO connector on one side, and the silver spacers on the other, the pi4 then is supported by the case pillars at all four corners but only attached with two screws next to the GPIO block.
It’s robust enough to not move about.
The spacers are NOT high enough for a 40-pin GPIO height extender through the POE+ board – the main pillar spacers would need to be a few mm higher to make that work.
The Pi Hut
@Chris – You can swap out the standoffs (they’re M2.5 size) for taller versions, but unfortunately we don’t offer these as an option at the moment. We’ll pass this over to our product guy to see what would work well universally for lots of different HATs (PoE is the popular option with this case).
@Chris – You can swap out the standoffs (they’re M2.5 size) for taller versions, but unfortunately we don’t offer these as an option at the moment. We’ll pass this over to our product guy to see what would work well universally for lots of different HATs (PoE is the popular option with this case).
Chris neale
Great little case.
I did have a minor issue with the Waveshare PoE HAT (E) as the fan presses on to a winding/capacitor on the hat.
I mounted the fan on the other side of the layer above, then I mounted my 2nd Pi upside down on the top layer, then mounted the fan on the top of that. It’s unorthodox, but it does give more cooling than no fans, and I have a heatsink on the Pi4 at the bottom.
Great little case.
I did have a minor issue with the Waveshare PoE HAT (E) as the fan presses on to a winding/capacitor on the hat.
I mounted the fan on the other side of the layer above, then I mounted my 2nd Pi upside down on the top layer, then mounted the fan on the top of that. It’s unorthodox, but it does give more cooling than no fans, and I have a heatsink on the Pi4 at the bottom.
Chris
I have a 3b and am looking at getting a 4 with a poe hat.
I saw your reply to Dennis. Would it be possible, although not part of the standard, to add additional/extended or swap out the standoffs for longer ones on one or more layers to accomodate the PoE hat? Thanks
I have a 3b and am looking at getting a 4 with a poe hat.
I saw your reply to Dennis. Would it be possible, although not part of the standard, to add additional/extended or swap out the standoffs for longer ones on one or more layers to accomodate the PoE hat? Thanks
Ford Bianco
Hi, love my cluster of cluster cases, but struggling to fit an original Pi B in there (due to the lack of holes on the board). Any advice?
Hi, love my cluster of cluster cases, but struggling to fit an original Pi B in there (due to the lack of holes on the board). Any advice?
The Pi Hut
@Dennis – Unfortunately this case doesn’t accommodate HATs very well. You ‘could’ remove the case fan and fit a HAT under there, but most HATs would be very tight up against the perspex.
@Dennis – Unfortunately this case doesn’t accommodate HATs very well. You ‘could’ remove the case fan and fit a HAT under there, but most HATs would be very tight up against the perspex.
Dennis
How would you mount an PI with an POE hat ?
Regards
Dennis
How would you mount an PI with an POE hat ?
Regards
Dennis