Powering Pi 5 via USB-C in Gadget Mode and Additional Peripherals
March 10, 2024, 16:08
I'm planning to use my Raspberry Pi 5 in device/gadget mode via its USB-C port connected to my computer. At the same time, I want to connect a mouse to one of its USB 3.0 ports.
Given that I won't be using the official Pi 5 charger because the USB-C port will be occupied for gadget mode, can the Pi 5 still draw enough power from the computer's USB-C connection to both run efficiently and power the connected mouse through its USB 3.0 port?
_(Assume my Computer has a USB-C Port that can provide 100W, I am mostly asking if this is within the Pi's capabilities)_
Thanks in advance for any insights or advice!
depends how many amps does the mouse consume
5V == 150mA (Mice don't need a hella of a lot)
Apparently, I found this:
Is this true for all Ports of the Pi? Including the USB3.0s, USB2.0s and USB-As?
can u pass me the link?
Right away!
I found it here: https://www.raspberrypi.com/documentation/computers/raspberry-pi.html#universal-serial-bus-usb
The raspberry pi will boot thats for sure but the mice prolly won't work (i think that a powered hub does, can't confirm)
Hmmm but why? It says it there that the Pi 5 can provide 660mA with 3A supply or 1600mA with a 5A supply (and I checked and my Computer can do that).
So what's the Issue? My Mouse only needs 150mA.
the usb (3.0) can provide up to 900mA, a raspi 5 uses 800 mA in an active environment
Hold on. So you are saying that the Pi 5 uses 800 mA (For it's Disk reading and Fan and such stuff) right?
Okay.
Assuming we have 1600mA to begin with, there will be plenty left for my Mouse's needs (150mA).
I'm not sure but it will otherwise run in a low power mode, can't confirm for the moment
nvm i think that it can't even boot
Why do you think that?
If you have doubts, explain to me your thinking, your thoughts are very helpful to me.
yeah im very confused, a USB-PD can provide enough Voltage and Amps
Not all USB-PD can provide 5V/5A that is quite few that can provide that.
And depending on laptop model it can provide :
- 500mA The original max value for a USB hub.
- 900mA
- 1200mA
- 3000mA MacBook pro models and recent Lenovo Legion supports PD 5V/3A
But all this depends on Laptop model and I haven't seen that being mentioned!
You can read more about it here https://www.tomshardware.com/news/usb-3-2-explained under the section How Much Power Do USB 3.2 and USB 3.1 Offer?
Razer Blade 15 2021
Thank you. But back to my initial question, judging by this screenshot, as far as the Pi 5's hardware capabilities go, I reckon I should be fine, no?
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1216417371732967465/1216420230041964554/image.png?ex=6600529e&is=65eddd9e&hm=66e4c71e2ea231da4ef2d17884fffb14d3ff0daf8b8e4356aaeb2de9c58af19f&
You have to check if your USB-C port can deliver the current needed.
And as you have asked "can the Pi 5 still draw enough power from the computer's USB-C", its the other way around, can the computer USB-C port deliver the current consumed by the Raspberry Pi 5.
You need to:
1. What is the current consumption of the Raspberry Pi 5 in your use case
2. Can your Computer deliver that current
Thank you, my Computer port (is thunderbolt) and can supply up to 100W (at 5A) so after doing some searching on my own, I seem to require a USB-C to USB-C cable that can support at least 25Watts at 5A or better. Such Cables are usually called "USB-C to USB-C 100W Cables" and are not that expensive so I should be good!
I would remind you that 100W isn't the same that it support PD 5v/5A.