Fan SHIM for Raspberry Pi

Fan SHIM for Raspberry Pi

If you want significantly better thermal performance for your Raspberry Pi, try this Fan SHIM. This product features a controllable 30 mm solderless CPU fan with RGB LEDs and a tactile switch. This Fan SHIM will really cool your RPi!

Since this SHIM has a press-fit header, no soldering is required. Simply slide it onto your Raspberry Pi pins and you’re ready to go. Be aware, however, that due to the height of the fan, if you want to use other HATs or pHATs with the Fan SHIM, you will need to use a booster header!

You can control the fan via software, so for example you can choose to turn it on when the CPU reaches a certain temperature.

The LED is a handy visual indicator to monitor CPU load/temperature, fan status, and more.

You can also program the tactile switch, which can be used to turn the fan on or off or switch between manual mode and automatic temperature-triggered mode.

Additionally, this Fan SHIM has the added advantage of being compatible with the new Pibow Coupé 4 case for the Raspberry Pi 4!

Fan SHIM for Raspberry Pi features:

• 30mm 5V DC fan
• 4,200 RPM
• Airflow: 0.05 m³/min
• Noise: 18.6 dB
• Press-fit header
• No soldering required
• RGB LED (APA102)
• Tactile switch
• Requires simple assembly
• Compatible with Raspberry Pi 4, 3 B+, 3 A+
• Python library and daemon

The Fan SHIM kit for Raspberry Pi includes:

• Fan SHIM PCB
• 30mm 5V DC fan with JST connector
• M2.5 nuts and bolts

How to assemble the Fan SHIM

Assembly is extremely simple. It will take you less than two minutes to put it together.

Turn the PCB component side upwards and insert the two M2.5 bolts through the holes from underneath. Then screw on the first two nuts to secure them—they will also act as spacers.

Now place the fan onto the bolts, aligning the mounting holes, with the cable side facing down (as shown in the photo) and the labeled side facing up. Then secure everything by tightening the remaining two nuts.

Plug the fan’s JST connector into the socket on the Fan SHIM.

Software

With the Python library for the Fan SHIM, you can control the fan on/off modes, RGB LED, and switch. Several useful examples show how to use each feature, and a script helps you install a daemon (a background service) that automatically controls the fan. This means it will turn on or off when the CPU reaches a set temperature threshold, with manual override available via the tactile switch.

Notes

• Do not press on the fan when installing or removing it, or on the assembled Fan SHIM. It may break!
• Not compatible with heatsinks
• Dimensions: 4.5 × 3.9 × 1.1 cm

Pimoroni name: Fan SHIM for Raspberry Pi [PIM461]