2 fans, same channel on controller?

[daphatgrant]

Hello all, I'll try to make this as quick as possible.

I have a media/file server that needs to be toned down a bit when it comes to fan noise. Right now I have (6) 120mm (Scythe SFF21F) installed in the case that are running full bore all the time. I'd like to get this under control but that's where my issue is. This is a server case and does not have any 5.25" bays so I've been eyeballing this fan controller (NZXT Sentry LXE). My next issue is that this fan controller only has 5 channels and I have 6 fans. I know that the fan controller can handle 10 Watts per channel and the fans use .20 Amps.

I did a search and found a calculator that can convert Amps to Watts, under Voltage I put 12V Amperage I put .20 Amps and I got 3.325 for the Wattage. This doubled is less than 10 Watts which leads me to believe that I could hook 2 fans together on the same channel without an issue. Is this true?

I guess worst case scenario I could just power the 5 case fans and leave the CPU fan on it's own. The server has 9 hard drives in it now and I expect to add a few more every 6 months or so so yes I do need this many fans.

Thanks for the help

Cliffs:
Have 6 fans
Controller only has 5 channels
Fans draw .20 Amps
Controller can handle 10 Watts per channel
Can I hook 2 fans together on the same channel?

 

[FunkZ]

Yes, with less than 3½W per fan doubling them up is no problem. You could even run 3 per channel if needed because you plan to have them turned down anyway.

Rather than buy a controller though, unless you need to be able to crank them up occasionally you might consider just switching the connector to use 5V instead of 12V. Needlenose pliers to get the pins out and just swap the red and yellow positions. With those pass-through molex you'd only need to do the first one, then daisy all the other fan connectors downstream of it and they'll all run at 5V.

 

[Justintoxicated]

That controller does not have the best reviews.

I just got this one though and I love it so far!

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1...sion_2_-_Black_FC-5V2_w_Brighter_Display.html

I love that you can select the different color displays, it shows the voltage and RPM the fans are running (already identified a failing fan). Or you can display temperature if you want to run the sensors.

http://www.lamptron.com/products/view/Fan_Controller_FC5V2

edit: I missed the part about not having 5.25" bays.