Fan Controllers: Multiple Fans Per Channel?

H

Hurin

2[H]4U
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
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Hi Guys,

First, let me say that i'm totally ignorant about amps, watts, volts, and power in general. Over my years of schooling, I've probably learned it all three times, but I always forget it soon after.

I'm thinking of picking up this fan controller. It has four channels each capable of 20 Watts and 0-12v.

The problem is that I have five case fans and a CPU fan I need to control. Is it possible to put more than one fan on each a channel?

The fans are as follows:

CPU: Tornado Maxx F5 -- 9.1v and 12v
Five Case Fans: Y-S Tech FD1281259B-2N -- 3.12w and 12v

Am I correct that putting more than one fan on a channel would make the fans run slower since each case fan uses 12v at full speed and the controller only supplies 12v max?

I plan on connecting two fans to each other via their standard built-in Molex Y-cables, then putting a 4-pin to 3-pin adapter on one of them so that it then connects to one of the controller's channels.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Hurin
 
The unit you linked to actually has a max 20 watt per channel output. So hooking a couple of fans together per channel should pose no problem. Just make sure your cpu fan is on its own channel.
 
As long as your total wattage does not exceed the rated limit, you can control however many fans you like.

Also, is that unit a PWM or pot based?
 
I had that rheobus. I wasn't impressed. It looks ghetto in design. It does not use PWM (which I didn't want that anyway, as I can hear the "buzzing"). The LEDs will make you go blind on the front. I'm not sure why anyone would want a controller than allowed them to turn off their CPU fan, but the Sunbeam lets you. As for the wattage rating:

I have a Cooler Master Neon LED Fan sitting here. I just checked out the specs on it. 12 volts (obviously) and .15 amps. Muliply those together and you've got the watts (1.8). That means if one channel can hold 20 watts, I can put 11 similar fans on that channel. A 80 mm Tornado fan is ratted at 9.12 watts. You could put two of them on one channel. I think what you need to consider is if 20 watts per channel is something that's really necessary in your application.
 
Hurin said:
Am I correct that putting more than one fan on a channel would make the fans run slower since each case fan uses 12v at full speed and the controller only supplies 12v max?
Click to expand...
No, both will run at their 12 volt speed since they'd still be getting 12 volts.
 
ive got 4 of those coolermaster led rifle bearing fans(very nice fans BTW =D) on one channel of that rheobus...no probs at all, ive also got a 92x38mm tornado on its own channel no probs as well...as far as just a "turn the knob and it works" fan controller i think its prolly the best out there because of its semi outrageous wattage handling capabilities, the build quality on mine is excellent, altho i do tend to agree that the LEDs are a tad bright(gg case doors) if i had to score it it'd get a 9.5/10 only downside is that its kinda "plain jane" and the LED brightness is just overkill IMO...other then that overall awesome product. =)
 
Does anybody make a nice (15-20w, solid, nice nobs, not pwm) without any lights at all... and in beige?
 
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