Power 3x RPi Zero W from mains 230VAC

[marcelp1]

I like to place 3 (or less) x RPi Zero W into either a dummy wall light or celling smoke detector that have electrical mains cables fitted from the wall/celling.

Due to the size of the dummy light/smoke detector and lack of electrical wall plate (DP Switched Plug Socket) nearby the official "Raspberry Pi Universal Power Supply" is out of question to power via Micro USB port.

Is there a power supply (either from Micro USB port or via GPIO header) small enough to fit inside dummy wall light or celling smoke detector that can power all 3 x RPi Zero W's and can be connected directly to mains power cables from the wall/celling?

I have checked Screwfix and Farnell, but nothing there ....

The RPi's will be using the CSI camera slot and Wi-Fi.

[W. H. Heydt]

You're probably going to need somewhere between 600mA to 1A at 5v. You will also need (in all likelihood) a stepdown transformer and a full wave rectifier circuit followed by smoothing capacitors. Including a fuse is strongly recommended.

Any decent electronics supplier should carry the necessary parts. The knowledge to use them *safely* is up to you.

[pi-anazazi]

I like to place 3 (or less) x RPi Zero W into either a dummy wall light or celling smoke detector that have electrical mains cables fitted from the wall/celling.

Please note that this is illegal in any decent country. Not to talk about ethics these days...

[davidcoton]

I like to place 3 (or less) x RPi Zero W into either a dummy wall light or celling smoke detector that have electrical mains cables fitted from the wall/celling.

Please note that this is illegal in any decent country. Not to talk about ethics these days...

In the UK at least, not illegal, but without the right knowledge and experience, highly dangerous.
I hope it's not covert surveillance -- that could well be illegal.

[Imperf3kt]

I believe the "illegal" claim was in reference to installing a hidden camera inside a fake light, which is indeed illegal, but only if you do not inform people the area is being surveiled. Although that kind of defeats the purpose of it being hidden, doesn't it.

[davidcoton]

I believe the "illegal" claim was in reference to installing a hidden camera inside a fake light, which is indeed illegal, but only if you do not inform people the area is being surveiled. Although that kind of defeats the purpose of it being hidden, doesn't it.

No-one mentioned surveillance or cameras until I did.

[Imperf3kt]

No-one mentioned surveillance or cameras until I did.

Are you sure, the first post mentions using a camera and WiFi.

[Heater]

No-one mentioned surveillance or cameras until I did.

Are you sure, the first post mentions using a camera and WiFi.

Well how else would you like to interpret the OP saying: "The RPi's will be using the CSI camera slot and Wi-Fi."?

That and talk of dummy wall light/smoke detector smells of hidden surveillance camera to me.

[Burngate]

I believe the "illegal" claim was in reference to installing a hidden camera inside a fake light, which is indeed illegal, but only if you do not inform people the area is being surveiled. Although that kind of defeats the purpose of it being hidden, doesn't it.

Do I have to inform potential burglars?

[LTolledo]

do you need to squeeze all 3 RPiZW in one ceiling smoke detector?
looking at the one in my room one can probably put just one RPiZW + camera and a hacked 5v 1A apple universal charger clones (those small 30x30x30 ones).

Do I have to inform potential burglars?

only if demanded by enacted local laws, carrying stiff penalties...
...or by those deranged "human rights activist" ... ( well 'nuff of that)

going back to powering the devices....
the OP can probably run a mains socket in the ceiling, near the place where the OP wants to install the device.
from that mains socket, plug the PSU that will power the device.

for the dummy wall light.... it depends on the size, but if its almost the same as the smoke detector (assuming the RPiZW, camera and hacked PSU fits) then with a little bit more enginuity the OP might be able to do it.

....if there's a will..... there's a way......

[davidcoton]

No-one mentioned surveillance or cameras until I did.

Are you sure, the first post mentions using a camera and WiFi.

Well how else would you like to interpret the OP saying: "The RPi's will be using the CSI camera slot and Wi-Fi."?

Sorry, missed that bit, even on re-reading before my last post

That and talk of dummy wall light/smoke detector smells of hidden surveillance camera to me.

There I agree, hence my first reply.

Do I have to inform potential burglars?

IANAL, but as I understand UK surveillance law, you do have to inform trespassers when they enter a private area covered by cameras.