raspberrypi

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Community about the single-board computers, micro-controllers and related projects.

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Chargers or power supplies -- which ones to use? (self.raspberrypi)

submitted 1 year ago by GustavoM to c/[email protected]

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Is there any difference from one another? I keep hearing that using chargers is absolutely a no-go and that power supplies are much safer and better overall. Do you guys confirm this?

Thanks in advance.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not all USB power supplies are rated for the current the rpi requires (i forget the number off hand). Anecdotally I had nothing but trouble using a name brand charger supposedly rated for the correct current, which disappeared the instant I switched to a $15 power supply specifically sold for rpi.

For the minor cost and potential headaches of brownouts and unexpected shutdowns, and given that you are asking the question, I would absolutely go with one made for an rpi.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

The general difference is, a charger will try to keep the current constant and therefore slightly vary the voltage which may harm the equipment when used as a power supply. A dedicated power supply will try to keep the voltage constant, i.e. independent of the current the hardware is taking.