Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

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ElmodiLatta
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:11 am
Location: Italy

Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by ElmodiLatta »

Hi everyone, I need advice on how to power the Raspberry Pi 5 in the car, the Raspberry Pi 4 that is currently in the car is powered via a USB Type-C port and a step-down, the Pi 5 instead, to start up, if I read correctly, checks the power delivery, in fact if I try on the bench with a professional power supply that supplies 5.15V and certainly more than 5A it does not start, how did you solve the problem? Thanks for the suggestions
hudiy
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Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2025 7:42 pm

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by hudiy »

It is probably related to usb_max_current_enable
Differences on Raspberry Pi 5

USB boot is disabled by default when connected to a 3A power supply. Set usb_max_current_enable=1 in /boot/firmware/config.txt to enable USB boot. Alternatively, you can press the power button a single time on a failed USB boot to temporarily enable usb_max_current_enable and continue booting. However, this setting will not persist after a reboot if enabled by pressing the power button.
https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentati ... berry-pi-5
wkl3968
Posts: 53
Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2025 12:22 pm

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by wkl3968 »

I found and tested this bulk converter from AliExpress and it works with Pi5 with 1600x600 wide screen, plug in phone for AA without low voltage warning. It has enabling pin to turn on and off the power. I connect the power into USBC with a USB C connector.

I just found this on AliExpress:
MYR46.91 | DC-DC Step-down Converter Module 9/12/24V To 5V16A/12V12A Power Supply Module Buck Power Supply Converter Module PCB Board
https://a.aliexpress.com/_c30ZMxIT
ElmodiLatta
Posts: 21
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:11 am
Location: Italy

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by ElmodiLatta »

Hi, I purchased this product
https://wiki.52pi.com/index.php?title=EP-0225
It should arrive in a few days. It's a bit expensive, but I've read positive reviews.

I've been using it for over a month, it works great, no low voltage issues, money well spent
Last edited by ElmodiLatta on Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
v864
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 06, 2025 7:06 pm

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by v864 »

I grabbed this from amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XXWQ49N?re ... asin_title

They put out 5.25V @ 5A from 12+V and can run with typical running car voltage (~14.5V). They don't even get terribly warm.
Hiphouser
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Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 12:42 am
Location: France
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Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by Hiphouser »

This module was cool:
https://www.mausberrycircuits.com/produ ... ply-switch.

Any other idea to switch off automaticly the Pi?
a8ksh4
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2025 6:08 pm

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by a8ksh4 »

I'm using one of these. 5v 20a buck converter. Works well so far:
https://www.dfrobot.com/product-2662.html
a8ksh4
Posts: 26
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2025 6:08 pm

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by a8ksh4 »

Hiphouser wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 12:33 am This module was cool:
https://www.mausberrycircuits.com/produ ... ply-switch.

Any other idea to switch off automaticly the Pi?
You can use an optocouple to sense the acc line (~12v) from the car and set a gpio pin high/low to trigger a shutdown. I'm using one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5373L4P
Hiphouser
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Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2025 12:42 am
Location: France
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Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by Hiphouser »

Nice!
Di you have a script exemple to use that?
Zyox
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2025 10:00 am

Re: Powering the Raspberry PI5 in the car

Post by Zyox »

Using a CarPiHat Pro wired off fuse taps and it works great for me. Tried a few different solutions before arriving at this one.
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