- Feb 22, 2007
- 16,240
- 7
- 76
A few months back I posted about the idea I had to build a fan controller.
I got some good feedback then and so this is what I have so far.
6 - Pulse width modulated fan controls
4 - variable voltage fan controls -5v to 12v range
4 - temperature sensors - currently using dallas semiconductor parts for the readings.
Voltage monitoring, 3.3v,5v,12v - considering cpu, but that would require soldering a wire to the cpu voltage regulator section on motherboards and I'm trying not to require that.
3 - current monitoring sensors, uses hall effect devices so no need to cut or splice in wires
Current is 1A max on each fan control. This can be increased to as much as you want , but will add to cost.
Lcd readout that cycles through the various readings.
The lcd is setup so just a small cable runs to it supplying the signal and power.
I wanted it so I could put the display on my desk by my keyboard or monitor and have the main box with the controller somewhere behind the pc or desk.
Unit can be powered by the pc or it can get its power from an external source. so you can choose whether the pc powers the fans or the external source.
One thing I have not implemented is reading of fan rpm.
How important is that feature to you ?
I'm out of room on my current microprocessor so I would need to add a second cpu dedicated to the feature. Doable, but will take a bit more work.
interface to the unit is done via serial port.
I know some will say why not usb ?
The reason is that usb requires drivers and specific OS support.
This way only requires you can bring up a terminal and open com1.
The unit will then prompt you with a menu so you can change /customize.
Later once everything is finalized I may look at making custom software apps for the interface, but for now its that last thing on the list. More interested in getting the hardware finalized so I can get to laying out the pc board.
Finally , cost ?
I'm going to release the pc board layout and all the schematics, code, etc to make the device. If you want to build it you can. If there is enough demand I may look at building some for people, not sure at this point. Not really looking at this as a commercial venture.
Just doing it as a hobby and saw things in the current fan controllers I didn't like or wanted to change.
So far the unit is controlled by a microchip dspic30f3011 .
Its a very powerful micro, running at 30 mips, and the cost is under 10.00.
Other support chips are pcf8583p - provides clock/calendar, 24c04cb1 - eeprom
LCD is 2 line 40 character display.
Anything you would change or improve ?
I got some good feedback then and so this is what I have so far.
6 - Pulse width modulated fan controls
4 - variable voltage fan controls -5v to 12v range
4 - temperature sensors - currently using dallas semiconductor parts for the readings.
Voltage monitoring, 3.3v,5v,12v - considering cpu, but that would require soldering a wire to the cpu voltage regulator section on motherboards and I'm trying not to require that.
3 - current monitoring sensors, uses hall effect devices so no need to cut or splice in wires
Current is 1A max on each fan control. This can be increased to as much as you want , but will add to cost.
Lcd readout that cycles through the various readings.
The lcd is setup so just a small cable runs to it supplying the signal and power.
I wanted it so I could put the display on my desk by my keyboard or monitor and have the main box with the controller somewhere behind the pc or desk.
Unit can be powered by the pc or it can get its power from an external source. so you can choose whether the pc powers the fans or the external source.
One thing I have not implemented is reading of fan rpm.
How important is that feature to you ?
I'm out of room on my current microprocessor so I would need to add a second cpu dedicated to the feature. Doable, but will take a bit more work.
interface to the unit is done via serial port.
I know some will say why not usb ?
The reason is that usb requires drivers and specific OS support.
This way only requires you can bring up a terminal and open com1.
The unit will then prompt you with a menu so you can change /customize.
Later once everything is finalized I may look at making custom software apps for the interface, but for now its that last thing on the list. More interested in getting the hardware finalized so I can get to laying out the pc board.
Finally , cost ?
I'm going to release the pc board layout and all the schematics, code, etc to make the device. If you want to build it you can. If there is enough demand I may look at building some for people, not sure at this point. Not really looking at this as a commercial venture.
Just doing it as a hobby and saw things in the current fan controllers I didn't like or wanted to change.
So far the unit is controlled by a microchip dspic30f3011 .
Its a very powerful micro, running at 30 mips, and the cost is under 10.00.
Other support chips are pcf8583p - provides clock/calendar, 24c04cb1 - eeprom
LCD is 2 line 40 character display.
Anything you would change or improve ?
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