Banana Pi BPI-R3: Everything you need to know

Table of contents

Part 5: Checking Temperatures

Checking the CPU Temperature:
cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp
45848
Checking other sensors information:

cat /sys/devices/platform/sfp1/hwmon/hwmon1/temp1_input
40094

cat /sys/devices/platform/soc/18000000.wmac/ieee80211/phy0/hwmon2/temp1_input

47000

cat /sys/devices/platform/soc/18000000.wmac/ieee80211/phy1/hwmon3/temp1_input
53000
Device IDInterface nameTemperature
CPUthermal_zone045°C
SFP140°C
2.4G (MT7975N Chip)phy047°C
5G (MT7975P Chip)phy153°C

The following temperature measurements were taken while the FAN was switched on in a closed enclosure.


Testing another Cooling Configuration.

Not satisfied with previous temperature results. We used three copper-made sheet plates. We placed one on top of the MT7986A Chip, a second on the 8 GB eMMC Chip, and a third on the MT75531 AE Chip. Because of their tiny size, we didn’t find compatible plates for the 2 GB DDR4 RAM and the Wifi Chips. A partial solution is still better than no solution. That said, our CPU work temperature was improved and dropped from 45°C to ~39°C.

Checking the CPU Temperature:
cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/temp
39506
Checking other sensors information:

cat /sys/devices/platform/sfp1/hwmon/hwmon1/temp1_input
39031

cat /sys/devices/platform/soc/18000000.wmac/ieee80211/phy0/hwmon2/temp1_input

45000

cat /sys/devices/platform/soc/18000000.wmac/ieee80211/phy1/hwmon3/temp1_input
53000
Device IDInterface nameTemperature
CPUthermal_zone039 – 40°C
SFP139°C
2.4G (MT7975N Chip)phy044°C
5G (MT7975P Chip)phy153°C

The following temperature measurements were taken while the FAN was switched on in a closed enclosure.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
1 year ago

When you do recommend installing a passive (or active) heat sink to this setup? Passive cooling is I think a no brainer, it’s cheap and silent. Strange they don’t add passive heat sink to their package product, as part of the package.

1 year ago

“Strange they don’t add passive heat sink to their package product, as part of the package”.
They had some supply problems because of COVID.

If you have a large heatsink that will fit and cover all chips, it might be worth trying the passive cooling option. Just use a lower in height so you have the option to add a fan.

1 year ago
Reply to  androidpimp

I just noticed that the “complete kit” also comes with heat sinks. Seperate heatsinks for each chip. If you buy a large heatsink, that will work as well, BUT keep in mind that the chips have different heights, meaning you should use different heat pads (1.5 mm and 0.5 mm) to have a good coverage of the heat sink on the different chips. I did read about performance issues on forum.banana-pi.org forum, when you don’t cool the chips enough. Especially with passive cooling, it might still be a good idea to add additional vent holes manually in the casing. Since… Read more »

1 year ago

So use 1.5-2 mm thermal pads. Nothing will happen. They are elastic, so it does not matter if you are using the highest type for all chips. It’s not rocket science. I agree about the vent holes. You can drill a few holes.. or you can also glue a small fan to the bottom of the case. And maybe use the GPIO header pins as a power source. Just to get the hot air out of the case.

1 year ago
Reply to  androidpimp

Actually there is a fan header connnector on the R3 board. Which can do PWM.

1 year ago

Kindly Try it, and let me know if it works well.
you can email me with the info. Thanks

1 year ago

Ps. also add a link to the package deal of the Banana Pi BPI-R3? https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004886608696.html.

Since you mentioned the single board computer only on your last page.

1 year ago

Thanks. I added the link for the complete kit.

Ivan
1 year ago

Which version of PCIe does the board support?

1 year ago
Reply to  Ivan

According to MediaTek website >> M.2 M-Key PCIe interface (2-lane PCIe 2.0)

Hattan
1 year ago

Is there any nas software or docker image that will handle those multiple hdds ? Exampme if i want to raid, zfs or btrfs

1 year ago
Reply to  Hattan

1) OpenWrt has NAS support.
2) You can also try CasaOS.
3) OpenMediaVault should run on Debian.

Pablo
1 year ago
1 year ago
Reply to  Pablo

This module is not compatible with GPON technology.
If the module information / specifications do not indicate it’s a GPON compliance, then it is safe to say that it is not GPON compliant.

Miles
11 months ago

Did you use anything to glue the copper-made sheet plates on chips?

Last edited 11 months ago by Miles
11 months ago
Reply to  Miles

I used a thermal silicone adhesive plaster.

AndroidPIMP
Logo
Skip to content