Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi  

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi Zero W has less processor power, less memory and less USB bus capability than the full size RPI models.

You can compare the models at this page: https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/

If you are going to use the RPI for Octoprint,  I would get either a 3B+  or a 4B.   The RPI Zero W isn't recommended for use with OctoPi.

https://octoprint.org/download/

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@bruce-p4
Yes i want for octoprint but i want put my printer to first floor. Which rasberry model available wifi because i can't connect to whit lan cable.

Prusa directly supports Pi Zero W therefore I find it strange that octoprint on it is not supported

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@avarax

The Pi Zero W is working with Octoprint (raspbian lite without GUI). Due to the low processor performance, you should not connect cameras or resource-consuming devices. The gcode transfer over Wlan (Zero W) from PrusaSlicer to printer works. The Zero WH contains Wlan and GPIO.
I would still invest a little more and use at least a Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

It's worth pointing out that the developer of Octoprint specifically recommends against using a RPi Zero of any flavor for Octoprint: 

Recommended hardware: Raspberry Pi 3B, 3B+ or 4B. Expect print artifacts and long loading times with other options, especially when adding a webcam or installing third party plugins. Setups not using recommended hardware are not officially supported.

Please note that the Raspberry Pi Zero W is not recommended explicitly since severe performance issues were observed, caused by the WiFi interface when bandwidth is utilized (e.g. the webcam is streamed), negatively impacting printing quality.

So yes, you can get Octoprint to run on a Raspberry Zero W, but it is not a supported configuration, and nobody will be too interested in spending time helping you get it "working". If doing such things is something you enjoy, by all means, go for it, but expect to repeat the same lessons that have been learned by others.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@avarax

I would use the RPI 3B+ or RPI4B.     If you want to future proof then go with the 4B.

I am using both for Octoprint with good results.

If you don't get an Official power supply make sure the one you get, provides at least the same number of amps as the official ps.

A power supply that doesn't provide enough amps can cause really flaky behavior.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

I have been using this power supply in a printed housing for 2 years and have never had any problems with it:

https://www.meanwell-web.com/en-gb/ac-dc-single-output-enclosed-power-supply-output-rs--25--5

I have set the output voltage to 5.2 volts.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@karl-herbert

Ok there is practically some price difference but ok. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B - 1GB RAM is ok or even need more ram. If it was possible I would like to buy a camera for inspection.

How about cooling because some put it in the box and do nothing more. Again some will put only a passive small cooler and some even a fan.

Maybe I ask total stupidity but what is a good touch LCD?
https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/6267-jerlo-lcd-5-mod-on-prusa-bear-halloween-mod

Does anyone know how much it consumes the original raspberry source in Watts, because it needs to be counted in the printing consumption.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

You can print a case for the 3B or the 4B that mounts on the MK3S frame and has room for a Noctua (fantastic!) fan and a Buck converter. I run mine off the stock PSU and have been for months. Most here would say don't do that - but it works fine for me. Camera too.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@robert-rmm200

So I would imagine the problem is that I certainly do not interfere in the cabling PSU. The fixing also count with him but we will see . And what the display personally I like is cool. But besides it's cool it has some real use or it's just a nice thing.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

Hi guys, I feel like this topic isnt that long yet so thought I would ask you something here. 

How do you power your Pi 3+ or 4s? 

I understand it is not recommended to power it from printers power source..?

If you use its own power supply how do you switch it off? Do you even switch it off?

Thanks. 

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

Well you have my answer (above). Only one power switch, so the Pi goes down when the printer (and LED lights) do.

Never had a power related problem.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@radekmull

The bigger pi's take quite a bit of power (relative to the old ones), so I am using an external power brick because I connected a screen, camera, and I am considering adding a small USB drive to boot from (now the Pi4 supports that). 

But the main reason I do not want to power the Pi from the printer is because it's not good to keep turning the Pi on and off without a shutdown. It's just a computer, so it's like pulling the plug on your Windows computer everyday to shut it down. It might be OK, but eventually you will get some file corruption. Also, it can be nice to have the Pi on all the time, even if the printer is off. What if the printer has a power issue mid print? You will lose your webcam, and any notifications that Octoprint might try and send you that the printer went down.

I decided to buy an ATX Raspi, and a 4amp power supply from Adafruit (one that is certified and not just junk). Now I have a power button for my Pi that will safely shutdown the OS, and power it off. It will also power off the Pi when you do a shutdown from the command line, or Octoprint. While also providing power to the Pi and Screen. Works pretty well, but is a lot more work than just plugging a pi into the USB. 🙂

I just need to print a case to hold all the stuff.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

For most users, the 3B is in a sweet spot between power consumption and functionality. No cooling needed. Modest power requirement.

The 4B is for power users. Dedicated power supply and cooling. Sure gets the job done though.

Pi Zero - forget it.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

You guys are perfect. Thank you. I feel like I know what I have to do now. 

Thanks. 

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

Posted by: @robert-rmm200

For most users, the 3B is in a sweet spot between power consumption and functionality. No cooling needed. Modest power requirement.

The 4B is for power users. Dedicated power supply and cooling. Sure gets the job done though.

Pi Zero - forget it.

+1. The 4B sure makes for nice video.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

I'm going to be running both a 3b+ and a 4b-2gb and after some time will be able to let you now if anything that works on the 4 won't work on the 3.

You can't have too many Pis in the house.  By the way, when I ordered the 4b-2gb it was the same price as the 3b+ from Adafruit.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

@heneryh

That was my thinking. It's not like the 4 is a lot more expensive. It just needs more cooling, and better power delivery. So that could cause some increased costs.

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

Posted by: @cmx

@heneryh

That was my thinking. It's not like the 4 is a lot more expensive. It just needs more cooling, and better power delivery. So that could cause some increased costs.

Yep, definitely on power and I am not sure on the cooling.  I bought a little 30mm fan and small heatsink.  Put the heat sink on but didn't put the fan on yet.  I chose a printer case that had lots of ventilation holes. 

RE: Raspberry Pi Zero W vs Raspberry Pi

Noctua makes a beautiful 40mm fan. Silent. You get what you pay for - if you are lucky. Noctua delivers.