Case fans

[timot]

Hey guys, just wondering if it's possible to control 2 fans using 1 header? is there a splitter available?

Reason i ask this is that i m using ultra aluminus case and there's the vga vent there, i would like to put a fan (zip tied them) and would like to run in synch with the vga fan. or same thing with the cpu.

any idea?

thanks.

 

[corkyg]

You don't have to run off the mobo header - use a simple adapter and connect to any Molex connector.

Adapt

 

[timot]

but how will it control the speed? will it go full speed only, if i use that molex connector?

 

[DSF]

Yes, that would run the fan at full speed.

I don't know if they make splitters, but you could always just buy a fan controller. I think there are some models that aren't too expensive.

 

[timot]

IF i splice the wires that go to the header, would that be safe for the motherboard? how much amp would the fan normally take and how much amp would the mobo usually give?

yeah i've thought of fan controller, but that's my last choice.

How do you guys with TRUE and 2 fans (push and pull) wires your fan??

 

[Sheninat0r]

They do sell 3-pin Y-splitters, but it's possible to do it yourself by splicing the red and black [12V and ground, respectively] wires together before the header. You shouldn't splice the yellow wires though, as that won't do anything. That would run the fans in parallel, and if they were the same fan then the speed sensing from one would match up with the speed of the other.

Most motherboards can handle two fans off one header, unless you have some crazy high-powered 76mm Deltas.

 

[timot]

humm i c...so splicing should work... but what if (just to make it look clean) i splice the yellow wire as well? would it f the mobo up? so where can i find members who uses TRUE and 2 fans attached to it?

 

[0roo0roo]

wire splicing.
i use crimp connectors.
and also fan speed controller with knobs
the non power wire is fan rpm info..but its not control and is optional. probably a bad idea to splice two of those together. fans are dumb, they just vary speed with voltage. i prefer a fan controller in a drive bay for max conrtol. just fast enough so its barely audible is enough unless its heinously hot if your case is decent. zip ties are always ur friend.

 

[timot]

hummm i c..... i just want them to run in synch without 1 of them running faster/slower than the other.

I m looking at fan controllers too. How is ThermalTake HardCano 13? I like that one, but so hard to find one with decent price.

When u say crimp connectors, do you mean self-tap connector? like this one? -> http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=723

 

[0roo0roo]

depends if the fans are identical models. if they are they'll run at the same speed, otherwise they probably wont.
as for fan controllers..stick with simple knobs. keep it simple. only ssytems engineered with fan speed control from the ground up can have effective auto fan speed control. unless its directly linked to something like the fan on the processor its a bit pointless.

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-c...p-2032058.2032231.html
i use butt splice for permanent connections. theres also spade and socket or whatever for removable plug type connections. self tap is unecessary for this kinda stuff.
frys/homedepot/lowes..they all sell this stuff at the electrical department. everything you need for wire splicing/control is there. including stuff to keep cables tidy.

 

[timot]

I guess i will get a fan controller, set it to medium and let SpeedFan do the work?

ok i will try to use self tap first and see how stable is it, then if it is stable, i will use butt connector, if it's not, at least it just shows a tiny nick at the wires from self tap.

 

[zero koopa]

Originally posted by: timot
humm i c...so splicing should work... but what if (just to make it look clean) i splice the yellow wire as well? would it f the mobo up? so where can i find members who uses TRUE and 2 fans attached to it?

Here are two forums that use a TRUE with a 2 fan push pull config. From what I was reading it didnt sound like a great idea. I was researching this bc i just bought a TRUE and was wondering if this would benefit me.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2175907&enterthread=y

and

http://www.overclock.net/air-c...31-true-push-pull.html

 

[timot]

oh kewl thanks..... there are people spliced the wires...

dang... well too bad, i've bought them and mounted them on the TRUE. I guess the benefit is not that much by purchasing another fan to 'pull'

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: timot
I guess i will get a fan controller, set it to medium and let SpeedFan do the work?

ok i will try to use self tap first and see how stable is it, then if it is stable, i will use butt connector, if it's not, at least it just shows a tiny nick at the wires from self tap.

the ones i'm talking about hav eknobs. like volume knobs they have more range than low/med/high. that being said just set it to a level you are comfortable with. i set mine to be barely perceptible. a decent case should be able to deal with that level of air flow without getting hot and not requiring a wind tunnel to stay stable.

push pull doesn't double airflow. it only makes it more likely to reach the optimal flow of one fan while pushing air through obstructions.

people get overly anal about this. if stuff like the harddrive is just warm to the touch you are fine. any more cooling is mostly just wasting power and creating a racket. by the time the components die it'll be obsolete...you'll probably upgrade before any cpu dies from regular heat levels. we're talking 10+ years.

 

[0roo0roo]

old but still good, esp fan 101 on the side bar
http://www.dansdata.com/hx45fan.htm