The CoreMP135 is the first generation of Core that can directly run Debian Linux but at the command line level.
The biggest issue (apart from the command line OS) is the heat that it produces.
Remembering that I had some Fan modules designed for the M5Stack stepper motor drivers. Checking the pinouts for the module and CoreMP135 I found that the important +5V and GND pins were the same. I connected the two together, turned on the CoreMP135 and nothing happened, no fan spin.
I reached out for my test meter and fitted some very thin needle like tips and tested the CoreMP135 +5V pin and found 0V!
After some research it turns out that the +5V pin isn't active on boot and needs turning on from inside the Debian OS.
I reached out to M5Stack and spent some time searching through the /sys/ folder.
I needed to cd.. into the lowest root folder and then run:
echo 131 > /sys/class/gpio/export && echo out > sys/class/gpio/PI3/direction && echo 1 > /sys/class/gpio/PI3/value.However, this resulted in an error reporting that device PI3 was busy. To fix this issue I fist need to run:
echo 131 > /sys/class/gpio/unexportAnd then I was able to run the above command to activate the +5V line powering the fan.
While the fan does extract some heat, the processor still generates a lot of heat but doesn't get nearly as hot.
To get this to run on startup you need to edit the file /etc/rc.local so that it looks like this:
Save the file and restart and the 5V pin will now be active on startup powering the fan.
Contact Me.If you find this useful then there is more crossover guides coming. You can drop a Message in Hackster.io message box below of find me via the following links:
https://twitter.com/Cpt_J_Purcell
https://bsky.app/profile/jamespurcell.bsky.social
On Discord (if I ever work out how to share the profile!)https://mastodonapp.uk/@AdamBryant
And on the M5Stack Facebook group and community forum.
If you have some spare change you can now buy me a tea @ https://bmc.link/ajb2k35
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