I’m using a Raspberry Pi 5 (16GB) to create the SD card for Pi 3B+D
Version of RP OS I’m running is:
cat /etc/os-release
Which returned: Debian version 13.7 (Trixie)
Version of RP Imager on the RP 5:
I spent a bunch of time working on possibly upgrading this, and documented on another post.
sudo apt policy rpi-imager
Which returned: Installed: 2.0.11-1 (NOTE: As of 20260927, version 2.0.11.1 is ready for download, including when you load the app on desktop, but this version – 2.0.11-1 is currently installed).
For now, when I run PI Imager, I’m going to ignore the update request to the 2.0.11.1 version
Version of RP OS for the RP 3B+:
This model of Raspberry Pi only has 1GB RAM and is relatively limited. My plan is to install Raspberry OS Lite, and just work the command line (CLI). Within WeeWx, there is a web interface, so something will be needed for installation.
I’m going out of my way on the board to run Docker and HomeAssistant
I just do a web-search (with AI) and now see that Raspberry Pi OS Lite 32-bit is recommended (over 64-bit) for purposes of making the OS even leaner with minimal RAM needed. In my case, I’m not going to be installing any AI HAT or Weather HAT, and just using this system for capturing and displaying weather. I suppose there may be a slowdown when getting it to display data on it’s web-browser, but I can live with that. If it really is not great, then I do a do-over later to 64-bit.
Consideration for RP 3B+ config:
Raspberry Pi OS Lite with everything at the CLI. My plan is to also learn Linux command line with this project, so it will Raspberry Pi OS 32-bit Lite for a headless setup.
I’m going to configure for WiFi. I suppose I could make it wired, but want to leave that port open for the future EcoWitt device that is plugged in inside.
Because of the SD card, when I get to capturing weather using WeeWx, I read somewhere you can trim back the frequency of the updates, to extend the life of the SD card. Goal is to integrate an external SSD drive at some point.
Because it’s a headless setup, I’ll need to be able to SSH in to the system from another Pi – likely the RP 5, which I have connected to a monitor, keyboard, mouse.
For the database, I’m going with the vanilla SQLite database.
For storage, I’m going with the Gigastone 32GB microSDHC UHS-1 U1 A1 Memory card. This is what was recommended by Radio Shack. I have the adapter where you can insert the microSD card into the adapter and then it goes in to the USB port.
Creating the SD card for the RP 3B+:
-Raspberry Pi Imager; entered the sudo password
-Ignored the Imager version 2.0.11.1 is available message.
-Select your Raspberry Pi device. Q: Does that mean the one I’m currently running on, or the one that I’m wanting to a build a new OS for? I entered Raspberry Pi 5.
-OK. That’s not right. When it says select your Raspberry Pi device, it’s only focusing on the new setup you want to create. It was asking for OS specifics.
-Select your Raspberry Pi device. I chose Raspberry Pi 3 (and the subtext included Model B+)
-This is annoying. I’m looking for Raspberry Pi OS Lite, and somehow I have to know that’s within “Raspberry Pi OS (Other)”
-Raspberry Pi OS (Other); Raspberry Pi OS Lite (32-bit). A port of Debian Trxie with no desktop environment. Online 531.7 MB download. Released 2026-09-15
-Storage: I’m getting ahead of myself, as I should have already had the SD card plugged in to the USB port of the RP 5. I have Vilros MicroSD to USB Adapter. I am holding the adapter with the silver metal toward me. From top to bottom, in layers, is: where the SD card would slide in; a white plastic piece; an empty slot. Of course thing with the white piece and the empty slot matches up with the USB port so you can only insert it one way. Back to the MicroSD Card: I gently insert the card (in and out until I know it’s going in smooth and straight, with the label facing up (in my case I can see 32 GB. “IF” I rotated 90 degrees to the right, the I would be able to easily read the numbers. I then gently push the SC card until it stops. If you look closely there’s an engineered portion of the metal where you will able able to remove the card (gently) with a finger nail.
-Now I insert the adapter into the RP 5. Confirming that plastic piece in the port is on top, so the adapter with white piece goes on bottom. Slides in well the first time. It mounts as removal media within /media/paul/32 GB Volume
OK. Back to the install
I already made a mistake, where I quit out of the file manager window, and therefore shutdown the 32 GB drive. Used a small screwdriver to grab the metal loop; pull the USB adapter out; back in again. It mounts and the Pi Imager app saying “Mass Storage Drive 29.8GB – close enough to 32 GB. There’s something about “Exclude System drives”, so I’ll leave that checked. Continue on.
-Choose Hostname. Something obvious and not too long. weather-3b (I kept it all lower case. This means I know it’s for the weather station and that I configured with a RP 3B+.
-Localisation (Capital City = Washington, D.C. United States). This makes no sense. It’s asking me to select my location for suggested time-zone. I’m in California. I’m not in DC. Sacramento is the Capital City of California. But… that’s not there, so I’m going with Washington, DC (United States). For time-zone, I entered America/Los Angeles. For keyboard layout, I’ll go with us (which I assume is United States).
-Choose username for create a user account. I’m assuming this is not root: I’ll enter my standard and basic username and password, as it’s only me accessing this system.
-Choose Wi-Fi (SSID, password): I entered that. I left the Hidden SSID unchecked. I think that’s OK for now.
-SSH authentication. I want to enable SSH (as this is headless, and I need to connect in to it). Authentication mechanism (Use Password or Use Public Key). I looked it up, and for several reasons (remote access; security) I’m going with Public Key. But… I’m half way in to Raspberry Pi Imager process. I looked it up and it’s OK.
-Goal is to generate a key pair on the machine I’m currently using (to run the Pi Imager) and pass the result to the app.
-Open a terminal window
ssh-keygen -t ed25519
Note: This is a modern, highly secure standard
So far so good. It came back saying it’s going to create a key pair for ed25519 and then asked me enter a file in which to save the key. I think it gave a default location and name. I pressed enter to save it with the default folder and name.
Now it wants a passphrase.
Now I have a private and a public key
The info I need for the Pi Imager can be found by entering:
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
I select the entire line from left to right, everything, copy and paste it into Pi Imager.
It came back with 1 SSH key configured. Looks like I could enter another one, but good for now.
Raspberry Pi Connect:
The AI response, I think, was quite helpful. Goal is to keep this as a minimalist system. Don’t really need to be connecting in from outside, and if I did it would load up on a lot of resources. Things can always be tweaked and added in later, so, for now… No to Enable Raspberry Pi Connect.
In to the final stages now. Confirmed everything. Said OK to hosing the 32GB SD card. Now I wait for the download and the upload to the SD card.
Cool! It came back with the storage device was ejected automatically. You can now remove it safely.
Next post is connecting RP 3B+ and powering up