Pi 5 North Inspired Case

Inspired by the Fractal Design Pi North aesthetic case but a more minimalist PC. I use my pi for streaming from my Plex server and Steam Link and I keep it on display in my living room. This case is for those who want a pi unit that you don't regularly tinker with as accessing the board regularly is a mild pain. The IO is only in the back and there is a power button on top. Power and video feed through the back. It can fit an M2 hat if desired.

Note: 3D model images use Pyro_Industries's Pi 5 board STEP. Not included in download files.Pyro_Industries

This was designed with components I already had on hand.

On the front inner frame there is a channel for EL wire. I used this cheap amazon EL wire and removed the control board. I soldered a wire to bypass the on/flash setting button so it would turn on with the raspberry pi. The wire can be cut to length once pressed in place and I used a dab of super glue to keep the end in place. The board was mounted below the pi 5 on the single standoff and connected to the 3V pin and ground.

The front fins (10 total) are designed to be made out of jumbo craft sticks, aka popsicle sticks. I plan to cut, sand, and stain popsicle sticks and use those instead of the printed fins one day.

2 5v 30mm fans were used, it's what I had on hand. M2.5 bolts and nuts secured the fans to the Front Frame. The top fan needs to be 7-8mm or thinner to allow space for the power button assembly.

Assembly uses 2mm screws and heat set inserts for the rest of the case. Coarse threaded screws could also be used if you don't want inserts. M2 insert holes are 3.1mm diameter and I used 2mm depth inserts.

The power button is just a Cam linkage of two 45 degree cylinders pushing against each other using the spring from the pi power button to reset. It is a little finicky, and may require some sanding depending on print precision for smooth operation. To keep the "Power Long" part from falling out I drilled a tiny hold and super glued a piece of paper clip in it as a retaining pin right below where it enters the main case. I super glues the power button on top. Could the button cap and power long piece be one part, yeah, but to late now.