Hi Paul,

In my set up, when I had the RTC board on the pins - it occupied the first few pins - a bit a way from where the fan mounts on this enclosure. Also, on some of the plastic enclosure lids, you can move the fan a bit by tapping the screws into the plastic elsewhere if needed - just keep the fan positioned so it can vent properly.

Fred

Fred; I'm going to give this a try.

Thank you and I will see whether adjustments are necessary when my case arrives.

Crossing my fingers.

I glued my fan to the outside of the case and drilled a hole so I could take power from the GPIO header. Isn't pretty - definitely not a nicely integrated package - but it works, and it didn't require me to use any parts other than what I had on hand. Once the fan dies, I'll probably epoxy some nuts to the inside so I can just use screws to hold the fan on.

Frederick: Unless I am doing something wrong, I am running into the same issue with the iUNiKER case as I did with the Mluzei case.

Evidently there is a different way of installing the RTC chip or your RTC is lower profile. I will insert a photo of the way this is fitting; perhaps this will reveal why this isn't working properly.

I had a similar problem once (although not the same). What I did was to mount the fan to the top using the vent holes to screw into rather than the mounting pins that are molded into the top. That way you can position the fan away from the pins (and the RTC) yet still have it positioned over the holes for ventilation. I think the screws that came with the fan kit are of sufficient size that they will find a good grip in the vent holes.

Sorry this hasn't worked out of the box.

Fred,

No worries. I was hoping that there might be clearance in the necessary area, but at least I know now.

I am not super rushed for finding an answer. This is kind of a side project at the moment, but I will want to have the Pi fan fully enclosed just for the sake of how my telescope cover would possibly catch on the fan, as it occasionally does with cables.

I have considered the use of spacers to clear the RTC chip by moving up the fan, but I haven't seen how it would work with the cases that I have. It would be nice if a case existed however with adequate clearance.

Hi Paul,

I found the old top to the RPi case (the same one you purchased) with the fan still mounted - I've attached a photo. You'll see two of the standard fan mounting pegs above where the fan is mounted - obviously not being used in order to provide clearance for the RTC. If I recall correctly, I may have had to clip/grind the other two pegs down so I could move the fan. The four screws go into the vent slots and firmly hold the fan inside the case. The cover fits just fine with the fan inside the case, not mounted outside and not interfering with the case closing all the way.

Good luck on the project.

Fred,

That would certainly provide clearance for the RTC by mounting the fan sideways.

I guess the only question would be whether the displaced fan would give adequate cooling to the main chip.

This would be a minimally invasive way of getting what I would need, thank you for suggesting this.

I spent a couple hours searching online for a Pi case that was tall and included a fan and came up fairly empty, with only a couple plausible solutions.

It would seem that I would not be the only one looking for a little more clearance in a Pi case.

Another possible solution would be finding a RTC that didn't mount directly on top of the pins.

Hi Fred,

I have found the 3D printing world opened a world of things to help astro gadgets.
Here is a printable case, designed with RTC and fan in mind and used by author for astronomy.
www.printables.com/model/30600-raspberry...an-case-supports-rtc
www.printables.com/model/30600-raspberry...e-supports-rtc/files

You do not need a printer if only doing a few one off's, I have used various services to print models. Not an endorsement, upload file to print and then see various vendors willing to print along with cost.
www.treatstock.com/

Using PLA material is good enough if scope not going to be out in the sun for extended periods of time, going PETG if it is.

Gene

Paul,

I never had a cooling problem that I was aware of/encountered. Since the fan is really only offset by a fraction of an inch, it still has vents it can exhaust air through covering the entire fan surface. Also, the offset is so small that the fan still covers all the heat sinks/chips on the RPi board. The fan isn't really mounted 'sideways' but rather just moved a fraction of an inch diagonally from it's 'normal' position.

Best of luck,
Fred

Gene - thanks very much for the links. I've been hearing more about these services and knowing that there are drawings out there for use in astro applications is great. I'll check it out!

Fred

Hi Fred,

Be advised, if you (or anyone) decides to get a printer, the number of things I found to print/fix keep growing.
Len's caps for finders, knob for RedDot, side bracket (broke and glue was no use for original) for RedDot, ESP32 cases for DSC control, DSC gears/adapters, 2inch to T-2 adapter, plus a multitude of adapters/gadgets for around the house and car.

The printer 'justification' came about when I picked up an 8inch Dob for a great price that adding a printer would come up to about what the scope's value.
Then adding the DSC's to it.
www.cloudynights.com/topic/824855-dsc-fo...dsh-8/#entry11909602

Gene