KKSB Cases Case for Raspberry Pi 5 with Space for Hats
KKSB Cases Case for Raspberry Pi 5 with Space for Hats, Add-on Boards, Coolers, and NVMe Hats
Metal Case for Raspberry Pi 5 – Space for HATs, Add-ons, Cooler, and NVMe HAT (Listing for the Case Only – Electronics are NOT Included)
Raspberry Pi 5, Addon Boards, Cooler, HATs, DIN Rail Mount, Camera Holder, and Electronics are NOT included.
Included Items:
- KKSB Case for Raspberry Pi 5
- Stackable Header
- 4x Male-Female M2.5 Hexagon Standoffs (18mm)
- 4x Male-Female M2.5 Hexagon Standoffs (20mm)
- Rubber Feet
If you need room for hats this case is for you! The only issue that I have with this case is that it runs approx 10 degrees F hotter than an identical setup using a smaller hat-compatible GeekPi case. Some vent holes on the top would have been nice, and yes, I can drill some holes in it myself but it won't have the factory appeal. Other than that you can't go wrong with this case.
If you need room for hats this case is for you! The only issue that I have with this case is that it runs approx 10 degrees F hotter than an identical setup using a smaller hat-compatible GeekPi case. Some vent holes on the top would have been nice, and yes, I can drill some holes in it myself but it won’t have the factory appeal. Other than that you can’t go wrong with this case.
This case is made to handle a hat easily with a Rpi 5. All the cables can be attached easily: the power, the 2 micro HDMI, microSD card, the 4 USB-A, and the Ethernet port. The power button has a metal cover that can easily be pressed to turn off and on the Rpi 5 computer. There are vertical metal tabs that can be permanently removed by twisting them; that allows access to cables or other items out of the two side of the case. The top is solid metal. The bottom has 4 screw holes in the form of a square, about 14mm to the corners. There also 2 cross holes to hang on a nail or something like that. This is the only problem I noticed with this case; the bottom of the Rpi 5 circuit board is exposed thru the cross holes so one can put it on a nail and possibly short out something. There was no included instructions on how to take it apart and reassemble it. The standoffs can be easily screwed in without a M2.5 hex driver by putting one standoff screwed into another standoff. Then screw them both in. Then use pliers to hold the bottom standoff still while unscrewing the top standoff. A cooler needs to be better to be able to cool off the Rpi 5 since the case restricts air flow some.
This case is made to handle a hat easily with a Rpi 5. All the cables can be attached easily: the power, the 2 micro HDMI, microSD card, the 4 USB-A, and the Ethernet port. The power button has a metal cover that can easily be pressed to turn off and on the Rpi 5 computer. There are vertical metal tabs that can be permanently removed by twisting them; that allows access to cables or other items out of the two side of the case. The top is solid metal. The bottom has 4 screw holes in the form of a square, about 14mm to the corners. There also 2 cross holes to hang on a nail or something like that. This is the only problem I noticed with this case; the bottom of the Rpi 5 circuit board is exposed thru the cross holes so one can put it on a nail and possibly short out something. There was no included instructions on how to take it apart and reassemble it. The standoffs can be easily screwed in without a M2.5 hex driver by putting one standoff screwed into another standoff. Then screw them both in. Then use pliers to hold the bottom standoff still while unscrewing the top standoff. A cooler needs to be better to be able to cool off the Rpi 5 since the case restricts air flow some.
Pi cases come in many sizes and options, and it really depends on what you need as to what will work best. That said - I wanted to have add on boards plus access to the GPIO pins, and have a bit of room for air to circulate and an active cooling system. And this does just that. I've got an AI + PCIe SSD, and still have room for another hat or two. This is a container - it has knockouts for cable or GPIO access, but you'll need something else for any local screen.
Pi cases come in many sizes and options, and it really depends on what you need as to what will work best. That said – I wanted to have add on boards plus access to the GPIO pins, and have a bit of room for air to circulate and an active cooling system. And this does just that. I’ve got an AI + PCIe SSD, and still have room for another hat or two. This is a container – it has knockouts for cable or GPIO access, but you’ll need something else for any local screen.
Fits so many hats. Tight on long hats. Trial and error install.
I had a Pi 5 and a bunch of HATs. I got this case so I could hopefully cram them all in it. One of the key things I liked was the removable side bits for port access which I sort of used for a serial port HAT.
What I ended up putting in it was:
Waveshare PoE HAT for Pi 5
MCUZone MPS2280 M.2 NVMe HAT for Pi 5
WisdPi PI-232 Serial HAT
== Issues during setup ==
Getting everything in required a few trial and error installs.
The wall mount slots in the base leave the back of the PCB exposed. I put in some plastic sheet to help protect it.
The PoE hat had to be on the bottom, but needed shorter stand-offs than included. Fortunately I just happened to have a set with the right height and screw thread.
Long HATs ran into the case sides. Particularly the MCZone NVMe (allows 2280 SSD) was an extremely tight fit. I had to partly remove the threads that hold the case top on to the lower piece, and bend the case out for a bit of clearance. This would be pretty easy to fix the design on the SD card side, but harder on the USB/ethernet port side.
I found it worthwhile to have some assorted M2.5 nylon standoffs to get the board spacing right.
Since I bent the case a bit I had to reshape the side panels, and it took a little effort to get them installed.
The serial port ended up a bit high so I need to use a file to remove some extra material. I also want to go back and attach a metal plate over the large hole created by removing the side bits.
== End result ==
I have my PoE powered Pi, NVMe SSD, and serial port all in a neat metal brick. There’s even a little more room on top where I could fit a low-profile Pi zero form factor hat.
== Other thoughts ==
The port cutouts are generous.
I like the flexible metal strip for the power button.
Feels like a solid little brick.
Using the male-female stand-offs makes the access annoying. Every hat has to be removed one at a time to get to the Pi.
Since this is a metal case I am also considering sticking a thick thermal pad under the CPU area to help conduct heat away.
Works perfect for Top Hat mounted boards with serious NVMe SSD with seriouse cooling fins.
I would have give this a 5 star but still had to notch out the top lid on one end to go around the 2280 NVMe hold down screw and stud. Lots of good cooling air flow event with a large NVMe with heat sink fins. Works perfect with a S2Pi M.2 2280 PCIe Top board. Comes with a header extender of needed.
Recommend that you have a 3/16 spin tight (nut driver) for those rear extenders.
Lots of tiny screws
This case for the Raspberry Pi 5 can be used for a variety of different applications. I needed a tall case that would work with an NVMe hat that I had. For that use, it did work well but I had a few issues with it. The kit comes with a GPIO header extension that lets you raise the hat further above the Raspberry Pi board to give it more room for better cooling. It also comes with a set of 20mm standoffs and 18mm standoffs. But using the extension, I needed 23mm standoffs. Fortunately, I had an assortment of standoffs on hand and was able to make it work.
Getting the standoffs on the back edge of the board screwed in was a challenge as they have to be threaded from the top and there is not a lot of space to work within the confines of the case. Attaching the PCIe cable to the NVMe hat was also difficult with it needing to be assembled inside the case as well. All of the threaded holes on the case are a standard M2.5 size, except for the two mounting holes on the top of the case which appear to be M3.0
I do like that the sides of the case have knockouts that can be easily removed to accommodate connectors on custom hats. Overall, this is a very sturdy and versatile case for a Raspberry Pi 5. As long as you don’t mind spending a bit of time getting everything mounted inside of it, I think it provides a good value.
Overall this is just what I was looking for. The pi fits perfectly inside with plenty of room, at least for my pi with a poe hat. My only gripes are 1. the screw holes along the back are right up against the backside making it almost impossible to screw in. I solved this by tightening a screw into the standoff then using the screwdriver to tighten down. I was then able to hold the standoff in place while removing the screw. 2. there are a lot of very small screws to keep track of when taking this apart and putting back together. I think there are something like 12. The good news is feels extremely solid when put together. 3. There are no instructions in the box, you have to scan a QR Code on the box that I did not see until after I figured out what everything was for. It was not impossible by any means, just something to look out for. Like I said, very minor gripes.
Overall this is just what I was looking for. The pi fits perfectly inside with plenty of room, at least for my pi with a poe hat. My only gripes are 1. the screw holes along the back are right up against the backside making it almost impossible to screw in. I solved this by tightening a screw into the standoff then using the screwdriver to tighten down. I was then able to hold the standoff in place while removing the screw. 2. there are a lot of very small screws to keep track of when taking this apart and putting back together. I think there are something like 12. The good news is feels extremely solid when put together. 3. There are no instructions in the box, you have to scan a QR Code on the box that I did not see until after I figured out what everything was for. It was not impossible by any means, just something to look out for. Like I said, very minor gripes.
A Game-Changer for DIY Projects!
As an avid amateur radio hobbyist with a penchant for tinkering and building, I’m constantly on the lookout for accessories that can complement my projects. Recently, I stumbled upon the KKSB Raspberry Pi 5 case, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer for my portable Linux system endeavors.
First off, the fit. My Raspberry Pi 5 (8GB) board slid snugly into the case, leaving ample room for my NVMe HAT. With a little extra space for an aluminum heat sink and fan, the setup was perfect for ensuring optimal performance without worrying about overheating.
What struck me immediately was the craftsmanship. This case is solidly built, and accessing any of the ports is a breeze. The thoughtful inclusion of side slots for potential modifications or design tweaks is a testament to the attention to detail.
But it’s not just about function; aesthetics matter too. The smooth curved edges give the case a sleek, high-end look, punching well above its price point. When paired with the Raspberry Pi, it transforms into a versatile tool for home automation, media centers, IoT gateways, or in my case, a reliable companion for remote communications during ham radio operations.
Durability is key, especially for field use, and this case doesn’t disappoint. The powder coating adds an extra layer of protection, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures.
One of my favorite features is the external start button lever, providing a convenient way to power the Pi on the go. And those plus-shaped keyholes? Genius. They make mounting onto my power unit a breeze, keeping everything within reach yet out of the way during intense ham radio sessions.
Let’s talk ventilation. It’s top-notch. My Pi runs cool as a cucumber, thanks to the well-designed airflow system.
Sure, there were a couple of wires to connect to the GPIO headers, but the modifiable side walls made the process a breeze.
In conclusion, the KKSB Raspberry Pi 5 case is a steal at its price point. It’s not just functional; it’s a testament to thoughtful design and durability. If you’re embarking on a Raspberry Pi project, do yourself a favor and consider this case. I was so impressed that I’ve already ordered another for my next endeavor. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Una obra de arte.48mm de altura usable dentro de la caja.
Actualizacin del comentario con ventilador de 1cm de altura:
Le he instalado el ventilador Noctua NF-A4x10 5V PWM que es de 1cm de altura y 4cm de lado y queda ms espacio para ventilar y mejoran las temperaturas comparado con el noctua de 2cm de altura que quedaba muy ajustado con poco espacio para tomar aire. Ver fotos.
Los 48mm de altura usables para hats son desde la base del PCB de la rpi5 hasta el techo interno de la caja KKSB.
Fijaros en la foto donde van los tornillos del frontal y el trasero ya que la cada del frontal y trasero no es recta en toda su longitud dentro de la caja. Tenedlo en cuenta a la hora de instalar hats del mismo tamao que la rpi5 y caigan a esa altura de los rebordes hacia adentro de la caja.
El logotipo K en el frontal lo hubiera hecho cortado con laser simulando el logo lo que favorecera la ventilacin y el wifi ya que queda justo la antena wifi de la rpi5 detrs del logo de KKSB.
Excelente caja. Muy contento con la compra.
Comentario inicial:
Caja de KKSB con 14 rendijas verticales y 9 rendijas horizontales en 3 grupos de 3 en cada lateral.
La caja est muy bien construda y luce fantstica.
He conseguido meter milagrosamente la siguiente receta:
1) Ventilador Noctua NF-A4x20 (4x4cm y 2cm de altura) con los cables adaptados al conector fan de la rpi5.
2) 40mm Active Cooler for Raspberry Pi 5.No es el active-cooler oficial si no uno adaptado a ventiladores de 4cm.
3) 52Pi Raspberry Pi 5 N04 M.2 2280 PCIe a NVMe.
4) Cable Raspberry Pi 5 PCIE FPC con diferencial 90R Mcuzone de 5cm.
5) NVME 2280 con disipador Thermalright M.2 2280 PRO.
Sobra menos de 1mm. Toda una suerte. Ver fotos.
Yo le hubiera dado a la caja dos rendijas ms en la parte trasera una encima de los puertos de conexin y otra un poco ms arriba para mejorar la circulacin del aire y poder pasar cables desde dentro de la caja hacia atrs.
Tambin hubiera puesto 2 agujeros ms en el techo para poder poner accesorios en el trasero del techo tambin.
Y lo ms importante, 4 mm ms de altura sera perfecto y los milagros no seran necesarios.
Una obra de arte.
48mm de altura usable dentro de la caja.
Excelente caja para la rpi5.
19 euros a fecha de abril del 2024.