PowerBlock

$ 18.40

Only 30 left in stock

(8 customer reviews)

The popular smart Power Switch for the Raspberry Pi™

Only 30 left in stock

SKU: powerblock Categories: ,

Description

Smart Power Button / Power Switch for the Raspberry Pi (TM)

Features

  • Soft power button / power switch for the Raspberry Pi
  • Clean system shutdown before cutting the power
  • Supports toggle and momentary buttons
  • Automatic detection of button type
  • Smooth power status indication via optional external LED
  • USB-C connector for power supply
  • 2×6 pin header for mounting on the Pi
  • Pin outs for optional external 5V power supply
  • Additional switched 5V output pins
  • No soldering required
  • Software daemon for clean shutdowns
  • Input Voltage: 5V
  • Output Voltage: 5V
  • Maximum Continuous Current @ 25°C: 7 A
  • MOSFET Static On-Resistance only 7 mΩ

PowerBlock with attached power supply, button, and status LED

Detailed Description

The PowerBlock is an extension board for the Raspberry Pi (all models). The key feature of the PowerBlock is a safe power button / power switch together with LED status indication.

The power button functionality allows to turn on and off the power to the Raspberry Pi with a toggle or a momentary switch without the need to unplug any cables. Before cutting the power it cleanly shuts down the operating system to prevent any risks of data losses. The PowerBlock comes with a USB-C. If you need another connector for your project, you can use a 2.54″ pin out for a 5V power supply. The PowerBlocks also provides additional 5V output pins that are also controlled by the PowerBlock. You can use these to power or control additional accessories in your project.

You can use toggle or momentary buttons with the PowerBlock. It automatically detects the type of button.

If you attach a 5V LED to the LED output pins, the PowerBlock indicates the power status of the Raspberry Pi; booting, running, shutting down – is indicated via a status LED with softly glowing signal patterns.

You can find an article with a detailed description of the PowerBlock, getting started information and a demo video here. The PowerBlock comes fully assembled so that you only need to connect a power button and, optionally, a status LED.

The PowerBlock comes without any optionals: no LED, no power switch. In this way you have the most freedom of usage and you do not pay for anything that you do not need for your project.

If you have any questions, feel free to get in contact with us!

Additional information

Weight 0.05 kg
Driver Source Code

https://github.com/petrockblog/PowerBlock

Brand

petrockblock.com

MPN

000201

8 reviews for PowerBlock

  1. cruise.sam

    Used this for a Retro Pi build, works amazing on a Pi 4.easy to install and just works. Tested a momentary and latching switch and both works interchangeably with no software changes required. Used the 5v output for a small fan. LED works great to.

    Overall super satisfied and will definitely buy again if needed! The only downside is the time it takes to ship to the USA from Germany (about 4 weeks for me).

  2. Jaime Navarro

    Took a while to ship from Germany to the US given the current status of the world, but well worth the wait. The tracking number provided was appreciated.

    I’ve tested this on a Raspberry Pi Model B (running Raspberry Pi Desktop OS), a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B (running RetroPie with Emulation Station and HyperPie in an arcade cabinet), and a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (running Twister OS, tested in both iRaspbian and Raspbian X Nighthawk desktops). I’m happy to report that it works as advertised with all of them!

    I had an issue typing the command to install the driver on the Retropie because the “|” symbol was coming out as “~”, probably because the keyboard layout was set to “gb” instead of “us”.

    The fix was to run this command first:
    sudo apt-get install console-common
    select the full list and choose:
    pc/qwerty/US American/Standard/Standard

    After that I was able to install the driver per the instructions with no issues.

    The PowerBlock was easy to install and I can definitely recommend it to others.

  3. tpbemt33sta

    Good communication between company and customer is always important, and after I had an issue the response was fast and precise, my issue was resolved. The item was as described and we’ll packaged, and just works! I mean, I’m running LibreElec on a Raspberry Pi 4B, and trying to find how to enable the GPIO pins for fan, power button and system LED was an absolute nightmare! It didn’t seem there was any information anywhere! Then I remembered I once owned a Powerblock for my Pi 2B for a retropie build, and was pleasantly surprised it supported Libreelec… Happy Customer, Thank You Petrockblock!

  4. madmodder123

    Much better than the Mausberry Circuit!
    With the Mausberry it wouldnt detect if the Pi was shutdown via the UI (which it claimed to do) which caused problems.
    Now I can get back to my project now that I have a power switch with proper functionality!

  5. Otto Romanowski

    Works just fine! I will order some more!!!

  6. William Mclaughlan

    works great, i have no clue with linux, managed it with your 1 line install.
    I’d recommend to everyone.

  7. Charles

    Very neat little add on that “does exactly what it says on the tin”

    Well made and sits nicely, was very easy to implement and get working.

    Would recommend this product and was a smooth and easy transaction.

  8. Chris

    I bought the PowerBlock for part of my project i was building a Super Nintendo Pi. The product arrived swiftly, was easy to setup and works great, just what i needed. Would recommend.

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