Adafruit Pi Zero Case Too Tight
by electronicgardner on Fri Sep 15, 2017 8:50 pm
I received my Adabox 005 today (Order #1533442-1618310756), but unfortunately, the Pi Zero v. 1.3 and the case that came with it were not able to get along (Product ID: 2885 and 3252, respectively).
Once I decided to try and install the Pi Zero into the case, I quickly realized it was going to be a tight fit. Without forcing it, I looked up the product page on the Adafruit website and watched the corresponding New Products video from last December wherein Ladyada demonstrates the snap-in action of installing a Pi into the case. Certain I now had it right, I went back to trying to clip the Pi in. After a bit of finessing it, I was finally greeted by two things: 1. A Raspberry Pi Zero inside of its case, and 2. A broken camera connector latch. The corresponding edge of the case had sheered the latch right off.
Now, I have some experience with these FPC/FFC connectors, and I realize that they [the black latches] easily break off of the connectors on Raspberry Pis and all manner of PCBs all the time, but this was still a disappointment, given that I hadn't even opened the connector once. Furthermore, once I took a closer look, I discovered that on my case, it seemed like the dimensions might be off. When it's fully seated, there is simply not enough space between the edge of the Raspberry Pi with the connector, and the inner wall of the case. There was no way I could have gotten the Pi fully in or out of the case without breaking the latch. Perhaps this case is just outside of acceptable tolerances?
Anyway, my issue aside for a moment; If anyone reading this is going to get the Pi Zero Case, be careful with regards to the connector latch, especially if you are planning to use a camera module as well. Also know that regardless of whether your case is within tolerances or not, you cannot open and close the camera connector while the pi is inside of the case. Or at the very least you can't with mine. The hole isn't wide enough and/or the sidewall is too close.
So yeah, that was my (slightly annoying) experience. I hope it doesn't happen to anyone else!