Hi All,

I have done the usual searches and not really come up with anything. I have just purchased the 16gb RP 5 and the Pironman 5 max case, at the moment I am stuck with powering it with the official power adapter. I am looking for a UPS (I don't want a hat or anything internal to the case as I have plans for that). So essentially a kit or pre-built UPS that will provide an output that is compatible with the Pi 5 and run the processor at full tilt (I know it will boot off others but not run at full tilt).

If anyone has seen this unicorn please let me know!

I use an APC Back-UPS 700 to power the Pi5, router and fibre ONT in my house.

neilgl wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:19 pm

I use an APC Back-UPS 700 to power the Pi5, router and fibre ONT in my house.

At home I use 1500VA units. For travel, I have a 350VA unit.

W. H. Heydt wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:44 pm

neilgl wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:19 pm

I use an APC Back-UPS 700 to power the Pi5, router and fibre ONT in my house.

At home I use 1500VA units. For travel, I have a 350VA unit.

From what the OP wrote, it appears that he wants to power the Pi5 directly from the UPS without a power brick.

Butch

butchkemper wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 8:56 pm

W. H. Heydt wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:44 pm

neilgl wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:19 pm

I use an APC Back-UPS 700 to power the Pi5, router and fibre ONT in my house.

At home I use 1500VA units. For travel, I have a 350VA unit.

From what the OP wrote, it appears that he wants to power the Pi5 directly from the UPS without a power brick.

Yes... And good luck finding a way to do that. Other than UPS+PSU (and excluding a HAT-type UPS), the only other solution I know of is to find a Powerbank that (a) doesn't drop the output side when plugged in to charge AND (b) can provide 5A at 5v. I certainly don't know of any that meet those specs.

There are UPSes that provide a USB power port, but I don't think any of those will provide 5A on that port.

Done to death in this recent thread: viewtopic.php?p=2321513

mooblie wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 9:38 pm

Done to death in this recent thread: viewtopic.php?p=2321513

I cringe every time I see the subject line of that thread... I don't think there IS a definitive "best" UPS. There are UPSes that suit some purposes and not others. There is--if one is lucky--a reasonably optimal UPS for any given situation.

The OP of *this* thread wants a UPS that isn't actually a UPS, when you get right down to it. What he wants is a power solution that has some form of power backup without using a PSU. This makes it moderately likely that he isn't very clear--in his own mind--what he actually wants.

Apart from the "stuck with official PSU" comment, the solution to requirement here is any standard UPS designed to maintain the supply on the AC side. Continue to use the official PSU. No portability requirement is given.

DarkNewt wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:12 pm

Hi All,

I have done the usual searches and not really come up with anything. I have just purchased the 16gb RP 5 and the Pironman 5 max case, at the moment I am stuck with powering it with the official power adapter. I am looking for a UPS (I don't want a hat or anything internal to the case as I have plans for that). So essentially a kit or pre-built UPS that will provide an output that is compatible with the Pi 5 and run the processor at full tilt (I know it will boot off others but not run at full tilt).

If anyone has seen this unicorn please let me know!

There have been many topics already on the Pi5 power problem and it can't be solved by adding an off the shelf commercial item if you rule out DIY/soldering/HAT/etc. You should have figured that out before you bought the computer, or actually the computer components as you need to put it all together yourself. RPL has over-engineered the old conservative way of powering credit-card-sized-computer in the wrong direction IMO, you need to fix/workaround yourself as other companies won't jump into that blackhole.
If I just go back almost a decade ago, I bought BananaPi when I wanted another SBC after the RaspberryPi1B+. That one has an AXP209 chip on the board which lets you seamlessly switch between AC and (LiPo) battery powered. An AXP driver is in mainline kernel and there are scripts like https://github.com/vazhnov/sunxi-axp209 . You need to solder a LiPo yourself on the board, it is clearly indicated where and big enough pads.

This looks quite interesting:
https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-bc-raspberry ... onal-time/

Also a SuperCap version:
https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-sc-raspberry ... capacitor/

Disclaimer: I don't have one. I have a similar requirement, though, I'd like my Pi 5 to 'clean shutdown' if the power goes off, and I am slightly uneasy about having potential battery fires (the Pi lives in the loft, so may get warm).

Rich 6502 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 12, 2025 10:38 am

This looks quite interesting:
https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-bc-raspberry ... onal-time/

Also a SuperCap version:
https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-sc-raspberry ... capacitor/

Disclaimer: I don't have one. I have a similar requirement, though, I'd like my Pi 5 to 'clean shutdown' if the power goes off, and I am slightly uneasy about having potential battery fires (the Pi lives in the loft, so may get warm).

In the URLs already the word 'hat', so I at least won't click those. I see viewtopic.php?p=2334800#p2334800
See this viewtopic.php?t=390066#p2336174 as well; A way to get Btrfs filesystem, also on long running old images.
As long as you or anyone else does not use modern software techniques, you keep dreaming and searching.

You could look into USB-C PD–compatible UPS power banks (like models from Anker or TalentCell) that deliver stable 5V/5A or 9V/3A output—these work externally with the Pi 5, keep it running at full load, and avoid case/HAT limitations.

mtfxgroup wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 12, 2025 2:44 pm

You could look into USB-C PD–compatible UPS power banks (like models from Anker or TalentCell) that deliver stable 5V/5A or 9V/3A output—these work externally with the Pi 5, keep it running at full load, and avoid case/HAT limitations.

link?

mtfxgroup wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 12, 2025 2:44 pm

that deliver stable 5V/5A or 9V/3A output

I don't think 9V/3A will work very well with a Raspberry Pi.

Unreadable squiggle

redvli wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 12, 2025 11:10 am

Rich 6502 wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 12, 2025 10:38 am

https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-bc-raspberry ... onal-time/
https://www.aqex.hu/qups-p-sc-raspberry ... capacitor/

In the URLs already the word 'hat', so I at least won't click those. I see viewtopic.php?p=2334800#p2334800
See this viewtopic.php?t=390066#p2336174 as well; A way to get Btrfs filesystem, also on long running old images.
As long as you or anyone else does not use modern software techniques, you keep dreaming and searching.

I don't understand your comments.

Why is the word 'HAT' bad?

What do you mean about 'modern software techniques'? I'm not running any of my own software on my Pi5. It's running Raspberry Pi OS, Jellyfin Server and TVHeadEnd.

Rich 6502 wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:23 am

Why is the word 'HAT' bad?

The word HAT has a very specific meaning. It isn't just a device that connects to the 40 pin header. HAT means it interacts with the RPi that it's mounted on (I2C on GPIO0/1 pins #27 SDA & 28 SCL).

If you don't provide the I2C EEPROM you can't be called a HAT.

Right, so it's a reference to the form-factor, rather than the communications protocol. OK. I don't really see a problem there.

why are they pumping 5 amps through a USB - C connector? you think maybe it's time to upgrade the power connection?

I use this mini UPS from https://www.amazon.com/Uninterruptible- ... B0F2FP5YGW and during testing it kept my pi zero2W for 25 hours 30 min during idle and on second test 22 hours.

It uses 4 18650 batteries which are user replacable, they go in ++ -- format. Just make sure to put them in correct order NO +- or you will see immediately smoke coming out of it, ask me how I know this. I had to solder two new wires to make it work.

DarkNewt wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 11, 2025 7:12 pm

Hi All,

I have done the usual searches and not really come up with anything. I have just purchased the 16gb RP 5 and the Pironman 5 max case, at the moment I am stuck with powering it with the official power adapter. I am looking for a UPS (I don't want a hat or anything internal to the case as I have plans for that). So essentially a kit or pre-built UPS that will provide an output that is compatible with the Pi 5 and run the processor at full tilt (I know it will boot off others but not run at full tilt).

If anyone has seen this unicorn please let me know!

This appears to be a new release and claims to have enough output current on USB-C. I've never bought this unit but have used lots of this manufacturer's other devices with USB-A outputs and they've been 100% reliable over many years.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B095CDHNSS

If it doesn't work as claimed, Amazon are always fine with returns so risk-free.

Always interested in innovative audio startups needing help and investment. Look for InPoSe Ltd or Future Horizons on LinkedIn to find me (same avatar photograph)