What do you want to see in a fan, temp, controller ?

[Modelworks]

I've been working on something in my spare time and I need the input of other users.

I've managed to put together a device that will control 6 fans, monitor 6 temperature points, monitor 5 different voltages
and is controllable by a pc serial port.

The serial port can be used to monitor the fans, increase the fan speed, lower it, etc.
I'm working on a separate item now that will also show the readings on a 2 line lcd readout.
I was thinking of putting the lcd display in a small box so that I could have it sitting on my desktop in plain view.
The lcd will cycle between the readings , pausing at each for 5 secs or so.

I'm not great at x86 programming so the serial interface basically accepts text commands, maybe someone else out there
can come up with a proper windows/nix interface for it.

This isn't a product I intend to sell, I'll be putting up all the schematics and software on a website for anyone to use.

What I want to know is what else would you like to see in something like this ?

I'm trying to determine what microprocessor to use in a "final" design and so I want to make sure I don't build
it around something, then someone comes up with something that would have been great, but the micro I went with wouldn't be able to support the feature.

I'm using pic micros right now, but can switch to avr if need be.

 

[SparkyJJO]

How about something that monitors the RPM signal of a fan (or in my case, a water pump) and can do a hard-shutdown of the PC if that RPM signal drops off? Have it connect between the power button on the case and the mobo so when the signal disappears it basically pushes the power button for 4 seconds until the PC shuts off.

Maybe make the LCD capable of USB instead of serial, then you could make it external or internal via a mobo USB header.

Just a few other ideas Sounds like a cool idea! Let us know how it all works out and what the finished product is like

 

[covert24]

i don't think you can monitor the rpms of a pump being that it doesn't have a 3-pin connector just a 4pin molex. But if you get it to work that would be pretty awesome. And i agree making it USB but that would arise some problems in the voltage department since the USB header can only support so many amps and you would run the risk of frying the header.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: covert24
i don't think you can monitor the rpms of a pump being that it doesn't have a 3-pin connector just a 4pin molex. But if you get it to work that would be pretty awesome. And i agree making it USB but that would arise some problems in the voltage department since the USB header can only support so many amps and you would run the risk of frying the header.

The DDC has a 4pin molex for power yes but it also has a 3pin with the RPM sensor wire. I think the D5 may be the same way.

USB handles 500mA at 5V. Serial is 5V as well but I'm not sure on the amount of current it can supply. If needed an external power source could be used. If it was internal, getting power from a molex plug would be ideal.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Theta 101

I'm going to be testing this one. It's a USB device, and similar to other USB add-ons that are installed internally but require a USB cable to run out the PCI slot and plug in to an external port. The manufacturers of these things seem to think people are incapable of installing an internal USB connection to the motherboard, so I always have to make up a special shielded cable for it.

That, in turn, eliminates considerably the risk that the USB cable would come loose, causing the Theta 101 to shut down all the fans.

If you want to make an improvement on your device that trumps the Theta, figure out a way that disconnection of the USB cable causes the fans to default to their top-end speeds or motherboard "duty-cycle" speeds.

 

[Modelworks]

I thought of going usb, but backed off from that idea because to do usb requires drivers.
By using the serial port the device can be used with any OS out there now and in the future without worrying about driver support.

On the theta I'm surprised they don't have a way to cause the fans to revert to high speed on disconnect.
Its very trivial code to add.

I plan on using a 9v battery on the device that will power it should the power be disconnected from it.
Sending out an audible alarm letting the user know something is wrong.
I really want to place most of the software into the device itself, so that you can program it to do what you want, what alarms to go off for, etc and then disconnect it from the serial port if you want.

I'm trying to avoid building anything that will rely on having to have a program on the host pc running all the time for it to work. You would only need a program on the host pc if you want to monitor the device in real time or change the settings.

All the data needed for alarms, fans, temps, etc go into an eeprom in the device.


All the fans will have rpm monitoring included.
I haven't decided on what the limit in amperage each fan connector will provide.
I can really supply as much as I want, but want to keep cost down and size as well.

I like the Auto PC off option. Thats definitely something I will look at adding.
It shouldn't be hard to do, just make it so you can connect the front power switch to a cable that also connects to the device. I have a few spare ports on the micro, so thats doable.

The way the lcd is setup is currently like this.
Sensors, fan connections, power supply from pc ----> Device >-----LCD
The LCD has a limit of being about 12 feet from the device.
The LCD will probably have a connector that you can install in the back of the case somewhere , then plug the LCD into that.

I don't want to use USB for the LCD because of the reasons I gave above.

Keep the ideas coming, its helping me focus on whats needed.

Thanks


Edit: someone asked me about how to get a final version, would I build them one, etc.
I'm not going to do any manufacturing of any kind on this. This is more a hobby project I'm doing in my spare time . I'm going to put all the details anyone needs to build it on a website when its finished. If someone else wants to take it from there and produce a product for sale, have fun

 

[SparkyJJO]

I see now the reason for serial. And really, a PCI serial card is very cheap anyway, but most boards still have a serial port (mostly in header form now to free up the IO shield space). An interchangeable cable for either direct serial port connection or serial header connection would be useful

For the fans, maybe if you had it able to handle 20W per channel like the sunbeam rheobus. That gives plenty of power for multiple fans on one channel (like when used on a radiator for instance), but shouldn't be too bulky. Voltage scaling would be better over PWM modulation because of how some fans don't like the PWM signals. Maybe a little less wattage if you need it to be a bit smaller, like 16 watts.

 

[Zepper]

Look at the Coolermaster Aerogate 3 - make its controls much more intuitive and you have it.

.bh.

 

[Modelworks]

I looked at the aerogate and its really a bit different from what I'm working on.
I don't want the lcd mounted in the pc case, because of viewing problems.
Instead I want it on my desk , just like a small lcd clock.


For the fans I can do it two ways.
One is to use PWM, thats the simplest, but I can also use adjustable voltage regulators that are capable of outputing anything from 1.2volts to 12volts at 1.5A . Its a bit more complex circuit wise, but it probably will be the way to go.


Thanks for the input!