can a fan controller run on +12V only?

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Fan controllers like this connect via a molex connector. However, is the +5V line required for the fan controllers operation?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

It's too early for bench work. I'll pull the 5V pin out of the Molex shell and give it a try.
But that won't happen till 8:00AM PST

That is just a basic Sunbeam Rheobus but much too expensive. J-T and Xxoide have them
for < $10.


...Galvanized

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

In a word...Yes.

The 5V and the ground next to it was pulled from a 4 pin Molex and the controller
worked as intended.

I got sloppy and the two pulled pins shorted out to one another
So that delayed testing by one minuet, for the circuit breaker to reset.


...Galvanized

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

LOL. Thanks GY. I actually tested this too (I just cut a inch out out of the red cable on the three inch molex extension I was messing with). So that makes it official. I'm going to get two more Sunbeam Rheobus 5.25" fan controllers, and pull these Zalmans. Then I'm going to mod the 8-pin connector from the secondary PSU, and have the three lines going to each fan controller. Will reduce the number of molex lines running through the case by a lot!! I just need to get some molex pins and shells, as well as some yellow and black 18 AWG wire.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

You best test the Sunbeams before installation. The LEDs are uber-bright.
Have your sweet bride give them a couple coats of dark nail polish.
I modded mine to 3mm LEDs that go from red to green. They are much dimmer
than the stock 5mm red to blue.


...Galvanized

 

[BonzaiDuck]

GY and correspondents --

Youse guys make me almost envious for your attention to detail. I have too many irons in too many fires right now -- having planned a mod involving some smaller LEDs, case-window, stuff like that.

I'm spread too thin!!

 

[Zepper]

I would expect that the fancier controllers with speed and temp readout functions might use +5V also - I'm pretty sure the CoolerMaster Aerogate I uses the +5 too. If it comes with the wire for the +5V in the power extension or Y that comes with the controller, I wouldn't remove it unless I was SURE.

.bh.

Tip to GY, in the Nolex spec the "returns" are interleaved to help prevent shorts in floating-ground systems. IOW, the +5 ground is next to the +12 pin and vice-versa - on common-ground systems, it doesn't really matter though - just being consistent. .bh.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

The next fan-controller I get will be a USB extension of the native-mobo-CPU_FAN control through SpeedFan. I think they come with their own software.

It's nice to have the digital temperature readouts and fan-speeds accessible from a front-panel controller, but the PCI-card versions still provide those features through the software.

I just don't feel the need for it, even with my Aerogate II. The SI-120, its fan and the Speedfan control through the mobo is at the center of my cooling design, and it's the only thing that needs to vary automatically with temperature.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
The next fan-controller I get will be a USB extension of the native-mobo-CPU_FAN control through SpeedFan. I think they come with their own software.

It's nice to have the digital temperature readouts and fan-speeds accessible from a front-panel controller, but the PCI-card versions still provide those features through the software.

I just don't feel the need for it, even with my Aerogate II. The SI-120, its fan and the Speedfan control through the mobo is at the center of my cooling design, and it's the only thing that needs to vary automatically with temperature.

I still have the Hardcano 13, which uses a USB header on the mobo for the card reader stuff, and I'm sure it uses the +5V as well as the +12V, so I'll have to give it a molex connection. But if I get two more of the Sunbeam fan controllers, I'll be able to route just +12V to them.

 

[VERTIGGO]

so, why do you need only the 12V line? what are you trying to rig up?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: VERTIGGO
so, why do you need only the 12V line? what are you trying to rig up?

Powering 12 fans using 3 controllers. Instead of running molex cables all over the place, I can pull a +12V line from the 8-pin connector on the power supply, and power each of the fan controllers. Thus, I have two sleeved wires going to each, instead of a full molex line or two going out of the case. Less wires, neater wiring, and I only have what I need coming out. Not to mention I can pin them with the new crimper stuff I got, and make them the exact length that I need.

 

[VERTIGGO]

nice stuff. thats one hell of a "server"

does having the CPU airflow like that make one of them hotter than the other?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: VERTIGGO
nice stuff. thats one hell of a "server"

does having the CPU airflow like that make one of them hotter than the other?

Thanks. I have about a 7 degree difference on temps when at 100% load on both (yeah DPAD). Although I believe it is more inherent than anything. I've never had them match up, regardless what HSF I was using.