What do you think about this Pi add-on board ?

[AWS2P]

Hi ,
I've seen this new PI POE+ HAT add-on board and wanted to know if you guys did already using it to POE power a PI for 3CX SBC or PBX use?
https://thepihut.com/products/raspberry-pi-poe-plus-hat?mc_cid=db168bd881&mc_eid=db47ebb31c

Do you think it's better than external power supply?

 

[NickD_3CX]

I personally have not tried it and as far as I know we have not tried it within the company, but to answer your question "Do you think it better than external power supply?", no, I don't think it will be better that the official power adapter.

Now, is it a good alternative? Very possibly as it seems to be able to supply enough juice to the RPi. One way to find out that! After you order one and try it, let us know as well how it goes!

 

[Saqqara]

The main issue I can see, you can restart the PI via disabling / enabling POE on the switch in case the SBC is not accessible.

 

[AWS2P]

could it be a reason to become a 3CX unsupported device even it works without problems?

 

[NickD_3CX]

I'd suggest having the official power supply always in case you get any strange behavior that you suspect that may be caused by fluctuating power, but I think it is something you could try.

At the end of the day, if the device is getting the power it needs, it should be fine.

As I said previously though, they correct thing is:
- Buy one and test it on a fairly "busy" SBC for 2-3 weeks minimum
- Then consider it getting it for your customers

Not that you buy 30 only to find out a few days later that power delivery is not stable....

 

[AWS2P]

Ok I will let you know after test , as it can be used on Pi3 and 4, I will start with a Pi3B+ on my demo PBX

 

[leejor]

It has a cooling fan, that certainly isn't a bad thing, if you aren't currently using one.
As far as power, if it supplies the correct current/voltage, and allows you to use POE, if that's what you require, then, other than a faulty unit, there should be no issue.
But, I'm with Nick, about doing some testing, before replacing anything critical.