# How can a 3S4P battery reliably power a Raspberry Pi 5?

- Source: Reddit r/robotics
- Published: 2026-10-24T21:06:03.000Z
- RoboHot: https://robohot.news/en/items/wbhegxgbpo51ard6i6vwbyol6
- Original: https://www.reddit.com/r/robotics/comments/1xejvr2/best_way_to_power_a_raspberry_pi_5_from_a_3s4p/

## Summary

A developer is building a robot consisting of a Raspberry Pi 5, an ESP32, and 2 RS390 6V motors, powered by a 3S4P pack of 12 18650 cells (2,200mAh each), a 40A BMS, nominal 11.1V (12.6V fully charged). The core question is how to provide the Pi 5 with a 5.1V supply that has sufficient current under load: whether to choose a high-current step-down converter or whether there is a better solution, and the developer hopes for specific module recommendations.