# PiDog Using different types of Raspberry Pi (s) **URL:** \ **Category:** Robotic kit for Raspberry Pi\ **Created:** [July 25, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420 "2024-07-25T23:12:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![steve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@steve](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/steve)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2024, 11:12pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/1 "2024-07-25T23:12:52Z")
I cycled through different Raspberry Pi(s)(specifically, Pi3B, Pi4B and Pi Zero W) when having an issue that was resolved. I found the Pi3B to be the best for power efficiency, with enough processing power. The Pi Zero had problems when using the Sunfounder Controller App. Though it could connect, the movements (forward, backwards,scratch) were very slow, and jagged. This was probably due to the streaming video from the PiCamera, which overwhelmed the PI Zero processor. Changing to the Pi3B resolved this issue. The Pi4B works well too, but draws more power. There is no mention on the Pi Zero 2 (which is more powerful than the original) ---
**Author:** ![SunFounder\_Moderator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SunFounder\_Moderator](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/SunFounder_Moderator)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2024, 7:31am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/2 "2024-07-26T07:31:10Z")
Right. That’s why it is recommended to use PI3 and PI4 to work best with pidog. If you use Pi Zero, the steps you need to prepare are tedious and the operation is not as efficient as PI3 and PI4. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/lucas/32/818_2.png) [@Lucas](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Lucas)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2024, 5:00pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/3 "2024-08-08T17:00:22Z")
Dear SunFounder, Is the fact I mounted a pi5 to it and crashes (the pi itself) when multiple servos are running? The PiDog kit by the way is awesome. I enjoyed building it and can’t wait to get my own programs created. But as mentioned, the pi5 crashes when using multiple servo’s. Everything individual runs perfectly fine. Even running with usb-c 27W power connected to the hat it fails. Looks like the power regulator can’t send enough to the pi. Do you think I can do anything on that or I should replace the board with the pi4b or pi3b? Thanks in advance, Luc ---
**Author:** ![SunFounder\_Moderator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SunFounder\_Moderator](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/SunFounder_Moderator)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 5:45am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/4 "2024-08-09T05:45:27Z")
Currently, the Raspberry Pi 5 is compatible with the pidog software, and the Python code examples can run normally. However, the current hardware is not fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5 yet. The power supply provided by the robot hat for the Raspberry Pi 5 is not sufficient. So when the pidog is running, it may easily cause the Raspberry Pi 5 to shut down and stop working. We will upgrade the robot hat to be compatible with the Raspberry Pi 5 in the future. For now, we still recommend using the Raspberry Pi 4 with the pidog. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/lucas/32/818_2.png) [@Lucas](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Lucas)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 7:26am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/5 "2024-08-09T07:26:33Z")
Thanks for clarifying this. So my thinking was indeed in the right direction. Will there be somewhere an announcement done when this hat becomes available so I can upgrade? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/lucas/32/818_2.png) [@Lucas](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Lucas)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2024, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/6 "2024-08-11T13:26:17Z")
Hmmm ,so I bought a pi4b and replaced it onto the dog. Reinstalled of course the sd card and installed all libraries again. Also did the calibration again, all fine so far. Went into the Fun Python Projects and for example the 9.Howling works perfectly fine. The 8.Push up works but give a low voltage warning on my pi desktop. The 1.Wake up and 5.Rest just starts and crashes the pi. So getting a completely new ‘supported’ pi and still crashing due to running out of enough power on the pi. I did mount low profile Ice Tower cooler and hooked it up to the 3v3 of the GPIO however. It only uses 0.08amps so that can’t be the killer here. I seen another thread where power was a similar issue when more or all servo’s were engaged and that turned out to be the connector ribbon for the camera. But I ran the test 7.Face track and the camera and this example runs fine. I’m a bit confused here Hope you have some tips for me to try PS: the battery is fully charged and I did the test with the 27W usb-c adapter still hooked up to the hat even. I was just wondering now I’m trying to check what is going on. With the Wake Up test for example. I noticed that the head of the dog is going pretty far backwards and now it looks that it bumps into the cable from the battery connection on the hat. I had to elevate of course the hat due to the cooler mounting. Is it possible that when this servo is getting bumped here it pulls an amps spike and this triggers the shut down as protection ? Of course this still doesn’t explain the Low Voltage warning on my pi desktop running the other test were nothing bumps against anything. Thanks in advance, Luc ---
**Author:** ![SunFounder\_Moderator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SunFounder\_Moderator](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/SunFounder_Moderator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 8:55am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/7 "2024-08-13T08:55:20Z")
We will send you a robot hat.Please provide your detailed address to [service@sunfounder.com](mailto:service@sunfounder.com) ---
**Author:** ![Atroz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/958977/32.png) [@Atroz](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Atroz)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 6:49pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/8 "2025-01-29T18:49:12Z")
Hello. It’s 6 months later, I was wondering if the Robot Hat has been updated to support the Pi 5 yet? Your website still shows compatibility that does not include the Pi 5. If it has been updated, would I get the updated version if I bought one from Amazon.ca today? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![SunFounder\_Moderator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SunFounder\_Moderator](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/SunFounder_Moderator)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2025, 3:25pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/9 "2025-02-01T15:25:34Z")
The Pi 5 version of Pidog is in the internal testing phase and is not yet officially available for sale. Thank you for your interest. ---
**Author:** ![Pablo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/pablo/32/1635_2.png) [@Pablo](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Pablo)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2025, 9:19pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/10 "2025-04-27T21:19:42Z")
Did a new hat fix the problem? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/lucas/32/818_2.png) [@Lucas](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Lucas)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 5:54am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/11 "2025-04-28T05:54:22Z")
I heard nothing yet it has been released ---
**Author:** ![SunFounder\_Moderator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SunFounder\_Moderator](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/SunFounder_Moderator)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 6:09am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/12 "2025-04-28T06:09:26Z")
In theory, simply replacing it with a Robot HAT compatible with PI5 should work. We’re currently in the internal testing phase. For our upcoming Pidog V2 version, the servos will be modified. ---
**Author:** ![Spf650](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Spf650](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Spf650)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 10:30am UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/13 "2025-04-28T10:30:26Z")
That sounds really interesting. I have been running my pidog with an rpi4, using ros2. Eventually, I simply ran out of onboard compute power to do much more. If an rpi5 pidog is on the horizon, then I’ll try to rewrite my existing ROS nodes as portable nodes and publish them on github. My existing nodes work, but they are a bit untidy to publish. Hopefully, there may be interest from others to do the same, and build a pidog library. ROS makes creating new behaviours very simple, they just need to share appropriate messages. I’ll keep an eye out for any news, and start saving my pennies! ---
**Author:** ![Pablo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/pablo/32/1635_2.png) [@Pablo](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Pablo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 2:17pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/14 "2025-04-28T14:17:28Z")
Sorry I meant the new hat that customer service was going to send you to fix the issue on the pi 4b… ---
**Author:** ![Lucas](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/forum.sunfounder.com/lucas/32/818_2.png) [@Lucas](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Lucas)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/15 "2025-04-28T14:34:58Z")
Hey Pablo, sorry i had to read back the message as well to figure out you didn’t mean to say about the V2 hat but the replacement for the 4b pi. Yes, eventually it came down to removing the active cooling as well. It is still tricky though. The power distribution is very on the edge of working or not working. Just like Spf650 was saying, saving pennies for the V2 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Spf650](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Spf650](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Spf650)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/16 "2025-04-28T16:07:23Z")
Oops my error too! I got too excited thinking that the V2 was on the way… sorry for confusion. ---
**Author:** ![hbrof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@hbrof](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/hbrof)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 3:47pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/17 "2025-07-18T15:47:04Z")
Hi. This thread has been a helpful read. One quick question, with all of the back and forth on pi4 or pi5, is there an optimal choice for the amount of memory for the pi to enable further experimentation with additional coding, etc.? ---
**Author:** ![Spf650](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f05b48/32.png) [@Spf650](https://forum.sunfounder.com/u/Spf650)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-using-different-types-of-raspberry-pi-s/1420/18 "2025-07-18T19:20:48Z")
Not really. More memory will always be better, but depending on how far you want to push the boundaries, 2G might be enough, or 16G not enough. I run on a 4G rpi4. As I pushed it more, yes, I ran out of memory, even when using a few swap tricks `sudo apt install zram-tools` `sudo dphys-swapfile swapoff` `##Edit to increase swap as needed. I used 8g` `sudo nano /etc/dphys-swapfile` `#AND SAME FOR this I used 8g` `sudo nano /sbin/dphys-swapfile` `sudo dphys-swapfile setup` `sudo dphys-swapfile swapon` `sudo reboot now` but it was also then being throttled as it was running hotter. I never bothered to work out which was slowing it down more. In the end for intensive work I decided to keep pidog running on my 4G rpi4 and use a distributed architecture across my network, as well as across all 4 rpi processors distributed via ROS2 rather than a single program thrashing one processor to death! Thereby the lightweight stuff runs on the pidogs rpi4 directly and the intensive stuff on an external computer. So I never need to worry about the pidogs limits, memory, thermal or otherwise. I also added an extra riser to allow better airflow. ![20241018_063507](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/sunfounder/original/2X/4/4099425a3b55d75b35705b8fe1c68911e49929af.jpeg) This was what I went for in the end but other strategies are available! And I’m sure you’ll get a plethora of competing answers! If I was to choose today, I like the new servos and power supply of the new V2 but run it with a pi4 on a distributed network IF I wanted to do intensive stuff. For simpler stuff I’d stick with the V1 + pi4 mainly due to cost. This is 100% pure opinion, not fact based. The following also ties in with my own experiences > [@PiDog v1 vs Pi Dog v2](https://forum.sunfounder.com/t/pidog-v1-vs-pi-dog-v2/3474/8): > > Just like most of you i wanted to use the pi5 but was forced to use the pi4b. Having spent a lot of time developing software for the pi5 and pi4b, using a.i. functions, i can assure you that the pidog works fine with either except for battery life. It isn’t great with the 4 and rather pointless for the 5 which drains the useable charge quickly. There is no noticeable difference in dogspeed between pi’s, even with the bit of a.i. running. The older version servos let the product down. If i was t…