Pi Zero USB Stem

by Zero Stem

The Zero Stem uses the test points underneath your Pi Zero to attach a full-sized USB connector. Convert your Pi Zero or Pi Zero W into a convenient USB dongle.

Just plug it into a free USB port and you can connect to your Pi over USB ethernet and share your computer's internet connection without any additional cables or power supplies.

Zero Stem is soldered onto the bottom of your Pi Zero and secured with bolts, making it convenient to use on the go. Use it to create your own little plug-and-play virtual machine, VNC server, proxy server or combine several into a cluster.

Kit includes:

  • Zero Stem PCB
  • USB connector
  • Nylon bolts and nuts

Details:

  • Compatible with Pi Zero V1.3 (with camera connector) and Pi Zero W.
  • Not compatible with Pi Zero v1.2 (without camera connector)!
  • Setup needed (see below)
  • Requires soldering!

Assembly and Installation:

Visit https://zerostem.io/installation/ for complete assembly instructions.

Preparing Raspbian:

Thanks to Andrew Mulholland for writing up these instructions, which you can find in this GitHub Gist.

In short:

  • Flash your SD card as usual using Etcher or Win32DiskImager
  • Open up the "boot" partition and edit "config.txt", adding "dtoverlay=dwc2" to the bottom
  • Open up "cmdline.txt" and add "modules-load=dwc2,g_ether" after "rootwait"
  • Create a new file named "ssh" in the boot folder

Pop your newly set up SD card into your Pi Zero, plug it into a USB port and you should be able to SSH in to "raspberrypi.local", you will need Bonjour, iTunes or Quicktime installed in Windows or Avahi Daemon in Linux for this to work.

42 customer reviews

3 years ago
Easy to solder and works fine. The screws must be tightened all the way before you solder the stem.
by Sagar about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
Add a 3d printed case and makes a good network connected virtual USB pen drive, which can also still run other projects.
by Richard about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
A simple but great device. Easy to fit, even with the Pi Zero case.
by Christopher about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
This is a brilliant product. With a little bit soldering, I can get this to work very soon and my pi zero becomes an easy-to-carry OTG device. I also get it to share my wifi/ethernet connection using https://anwaarullah.wordpress.com/2013/08/12/sharing-wifi-internet-connection-with-raspberry-pi-through-lanethernet-headless-mode/ (the first method just worked) And I get the ssh to my raspberry pi zero integrated in the new windows terminal. Now, it is a super-easy-to-use pi zero! I'll repeat this on my zero W!
by Deming about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io
4 years ago
The construction is good. The only problem I have is I'm not really sure what to use the Pi for...
by Anonymous about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io
5 years ago
It works, but the soldering is very fine work for the test point connections, and position is extremely sensitive. Comes with *M3* plastic bolts (to prevent shearing movement) which can gum up when pushed through the holes (designed for M2.5) making the nuts hard to get on. Metal nuts may be easier to use to counter the gumming, and both metal bolts and nuts might improve the long term robustness (but require some force get through the PCB's)
by Anonymous about Pi Zero USB Stem via REVIEWS.io

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