This DIY looks quite good, but this board no longer has the extra fan power supply interface.
Here is what I did, for my standard (non-Pro, non-Lite) BPI-R4:
- I ordered the BE14 heatsink, whose holes don’t fit in the standard BPI-R4 board (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005010546232366.html)
- I ordered the new case, which is higher than the old one (https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005010627278608.html)
- I ordered a few standard 40x40mm heatsinks (10mm high)
Since I cannot use screws to fit the heatsink to the BE14 board, I used a 40x40mm heatsink upside down on the BE14 heatsink. Both heatsinks grip into one another. Then I put the BPI-R4 in the case. That way, the 40x40 heatsink is on the bottom of the case, holding the BE14 heatsink in place and firmly pushed to the BE14 board. 40x60 or 60x60mm will also work, as long as they are only 10mm high.
I also used a second 40x40mm heatsink, placed on top of the SFP cages, since they also get pretty hot with 2 SFPs installed.
Everything now fits nicely in the case, and the case itself also acts as a heat-spreader for the heat generated by the BE14 card.
Ooh, good to know this little detail.
Made the same mistake as everyone else, bought the BE14 heatsink, and it didn’t fit. But found this cool copper boi.
Introducing: BPI-R4 COPPER SANDWICH EDITION:
Let’s make it work, it’s transplanting time:
Remove bpi-r4 from old case:
Fat 3mm pads to ensure contact:
After cleaning it with alcohol, slap the copper sandwich into the case:
Assemble the beauty:
And it’s 1056.2g:
2 Likes
Hello, was there any error in the description on the purchase link that caused your purchase to go wrong? I contacted BPI before and they corrected it.
Now it says https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010661287648.html “Banana Pi BPI-BE14 WIFI 7 Heatsink With Fan For BPI-R4 PRO R4 Lite WIFI7 Module Accessories” which IMO is too many words to say “not bpi-r4 compatible”.
It’s not that big of a problem, just use thermal adhesive material to glue it in place if you’re desperate. Drilling also works. Or if you have a hunk of thermally conductive material then just use that, 15mm height seems to be just allright, although 16-17mm would have been better to have thinner thermal pads. This is the DIY community, there’s no wrong, only skill issues 