# ClusterCTRL: Stack **Type:** Product page · **SKU:** CE08447 · **Brand:** [The Pi Hut](https://core-electronics.com.au/brands/the-pi-hut) **Page:** https://core-electronics.com.au/clusterctrl-stack.html ([markdown](https://core-electronics.com.au/clusterctrl-stack.html.md)) The ClusterCTRL: Stack (controller and passive backplane) is a simple way to both power and control cooling for a stack of 5 Raspberry Pi boards (not... ## Pricing - **Price:** $179.95 (inc GST) — $163.59 AUD, exc GST - **Quantity discounts:** 5+ $157.05 (exc GST) · 10+ $152.14 (exc GST) ## Availability & dispatch - Out of stock — the product page offers email notification when it returns. ## Description The ClusterCTRL: Stack (controller and passive backplane) is a simple way to both power and control cooling for a stack of 5 [Raspberry Pi boards](https://core-electronics.com.au/raspberry-pi/boards/model-b.html) (not included). The entire stack of Raspberry Pi can be powered by a single 12-24V PSU with a 5.5mm jack and 2.1/2.5mm pin (not included - see notes below on power) via the onboard 10A 5.1V DC-DC regulator - providing 2A per Raspberry Pi. The main board includes a 6-pin header for monitoring each Raspberry Pi, and includes connectors for 2 independently controlled fans. The USB-A connector is intended for 5V power only to run a low-power switch or similar. Connecting the ClusterCTRL Controller (via the Micro USB connector) you can use the "clusterctrl" tool which allows the following: - Control power for each Raspberry Pi individually - Ganged FAN On/Off (when "off" the individual fans are still controlled via GPIO as above) - Measures both the voltage supplied to the Raspberry Pi and the 12-24V input voltage - Configure power-on state (each individual Pi can be set on/off by default) - A single Controller Pi can control many ClusterCTRL devices (Stack/Triple/Single/etc) **Controller** - Powered by 12-24V PSU. - 20 pin header for Power (2x5V and 2xGND for each Pi). - 6 pin header for monitoring of Raspberry Pi (1 GPIO pin per Pi). - Onboard 10 Amp 5.1V DC-DC regulator (2 Amp allowance per Pi). - Connectors for 2 independently controlled fans. - Micro USB for ClusterCTRL allows controlling individual Pi power, fan, auto power on, voltages, etc. - USB Type-A connector 5V (ONLY) power output, can be used to power a 5V switch for example. **Passive backplane** - Connects between the ClusterCTRL Stack Controller to each Raspberry Pi. - 20+6 pin connectors for ClusterCTRL Stack Controller. - 20 pin connector for each of the five regular-sized Raspberry Pi (B+/2/3/3+/4). - Connects GPIO BCM18 of each Raspberry Pi to the Controllers monitor header. **Usage** As supplied the Controller can be used standalone - once power is applied to the ClusterCTRL Stack each Raspberry Pi will be powered on in 1-second intervals. The GPIO (BCM18) pin from each Raspberry Pi is monitored, when this is set high the corresponding FAN is turned on (P1/P2 = FAN1 and P3/P4/P5 = FAN2) as required to cool the Pi. You can use any software on the Raspberry Pi nodes (Raspbian/Ubuntu/etc.). To control the nodes you will need to [install the clusterctrl software](https://8086.support/?action=faq&cat=23&id=120&artlang=en). Currently, this needs to be manually installed - see the [FAQ entry](https://8086.support/?action=faq&cat=23&id=120&artlang=en) for manual installation steps. To enable the fans to be turned on/off automatically when a Raspberry Pi requires cooling add the following to /boot/config.txt on each Raspberry Pi (in the example below it will turn the FAN on at 75C and off at 65C). **dtoverlay=gpio-fan,gpiopin=18,temp=75000** Connecting the ClusterCTRL Controller (via the Micro USB connector) you can use our "clusterctrl" tool which allows you to. - Control power for each Raspberry Pi individually. - Ganged FAN On/Off (when "off" the individual fans are still controlled via GPIO as above). - Measures both the voltage supplied to the Raspberry Pi and the 12-24V input voltage. - Configure power-on state (each individual Pi can be set on/off by default). - A single Controller Pi can control many ClusterCTRL devices (Stack/Triple/Single/etc). 8086 recommend using two 70mm fans for cooling, one for the ClusterCTRL Stack Controller+P1+P2 (FAN1) and the other for P3/P4/P5 (FAN2). However, users may wish to utilise different fan options. **What comes with the ClusterCTRL Stack** - ClusterCTRL Stack Backplane - ClusterCTRL Stack Controller - 4x M2.5 12 mm F-F spacer - 24x M2.5 25 mm M-F spacer - 8x M2.5 6 mm screws **Note**: [Raspberry Pi boards](https://core-electronics.com.au/raspberry-pi/boards/model-b.html) and [heatsinks](https://core-electronics.com.au/3pc-heatsink-kit-for-raspberry-pi-4.html) not included. **What do I need to use the ClusterCTRL Stack?** - 12-24 Volt Power Supply with 5.5 mm 2.1/2.5mm barrel jack (60 Watt recommended minimum) - 5x [Raspberry Pi](https://core-electronics.com.au/raspberry-pi/boards/model-b.html) (Pi2/3/3+/4) - 2x 5V fans and [heatsinks](https://core-electronics.com.au/3pc-heatsink-kit-for-raspberry-pi-4.html) (optional) - Controller Pi (can be one of the stack) (optional) - [USB Cable to connect to controller](https://core-electronics.com.au/micro-usb-cable.html) (optional) - Gigabit Ethernet Switch (optional) When choosing a power supply for the Stack searching for laptop/monitor power supplies with an output of 12/19 Volts and more than 60 Watts of power should help (ensuring they're 5.5mm jack with 2.1/2.5mm pin). Due to the backplane being a fixed size you can only add an additional board under the last Pi. **Cases** - [STL files for a 3D printed case are available on Pinshape](https://pinshape.com/items/98243-3d-printed-clusterctrl-stack-frame-case) ## Images - [Product image 1](https://core-electronics.com.au/media/catalog/product/i/m/image_13323.jpg)