I wonder if some of the pre-existing RPi3 RPi 1B+, 2B, 3B and 3B+ cases would work for the VF2L ? There would be an open hole in the RPi cases where the 3.5mm Audio Jack is, but looking on the bright side, that would probably help with extra airflow. The placement of heat sources (IC’s) on each board is different, so that would probably eliminate a large number of cases (the ones with with milled aluminum pads over each IC on the RPi 1B+, 2B, 3B and 3B+ PCB’s). And micro-USB is used on the older RPi 1B+, 2B, 3B and 3B+, instead of the now standard USB-C on the VF2L, for the power connection would probably eliminate even more cases (unless you are willing/able to file/reamer the opening bigger).
If anyone finds RPi 1B+, 2B, 3B or 3B+ cases that work, with or without minor modifications, can you add them to this thread. Thank you very much in advance.
This would suggest that even more RPi cases (B+, 2B, 3B and 3B+) might possibly work on the VF2L. I have updated the first post as much as I can to indicate this, even changed the title, which I did not realize I could do.
Raspberry Pi cases won’t fit because of the M.2 slot and possibly the placement of the other ports, like USB and Ethernet. You’ll need to modify a case or use a custom 3D printed one.
I think generic cases will work. Recently I put a Radxa Dragon Q6A in generic Raspberry Pi case. The fan is not exactly on top of the SoC, but so far I didn’t see any issues with heat. I assume the VF2L doesn’t need much cooling, so I think you don’t need to worry too much about the placement of the fan.
There are cases that are just top and bottom acrylic plates, eliminating any issues with the ports. The only issue might be enough clearance for the m.2 slot.
So I think you can try acrylic cases for the Orange Pi 5 Max (as it also has an m.2 slot on the bottom) and leave out the side panels.
If you leave out the side panels on those acrylic cases and are running into problems with the height of the M.2 slot, you can yet an M 2.5 brass standoff kit and use it to increase the space. This will also come in handy if you want to run the board or some other SBC without any case.
Here is the original case for RPi 3B+. It would’ve fit perfectly well if there weren’t the M.2 part. And micro-USB hole should’ve been filed to the shape of type-C. Otherwise it fits just fine
