12v 7v 5v fan controller

[HermanT]

so theres a fan controller on the define r4 case, and some others on the market... I want to understand how does everything work here...

 

do all case fans operate at 12v?

 

and what would be the speeds for each spec? (for example using their 1000rpm included fans)

 

can any fan on the market (and/or any size) be used with that controller?

 

thanks.

[Vacsol]

not every fan will work with it. for instance fans with 4 pin PWM connectors.

however any fan with a 3 pin connector should work.

[Enderman]

not every fan will work with it. for instance fans with 4 pin PWM connectors.

however any fan with a 3 pin connector should work.

4 pin PWM fans can connect to 3 pin headers and work with variable voltage control.

[MegaDave91]

7v would be ~583 rpm

5v would be ~417rpm

[Vacsol]

4 pin PWM fans can connect to 3 pin headers and work with variable voltage control.

the fan controller has connectors like this which can only fit 3 pin connectors unless you want to break off the plastic shell.

[Enderman]

the fan controller has connectors like this which can only fit 3 pin connectors unless you want to break off the plastic shell.

Oh.

Most fan controllers I have seen use a connector with one side missing to accommodate 4 pin fans.

 

But my point was that if the connector allows, 4 pin PWM fans will work on 3 pin control.

[HermanT]

Oh.

Most fan controllers I have seen use a connector with one side missing to accommodate 4 pin fans.

 

But my point was that if the connector allows, 4 pin PWM fans will work on 3 pin control.

yeah, I understand that you can cut the connectors side to fit in 4pin ones... corsair cases have a 4pin wide connectors with 3 pin...

 

ok so cool. so every fan or fan motor operates at 12v max (which is the force of the current right). Although they might consume different amount of watts...

?

[HermanT]

while we are on the subject, I came up with one more question... I have a pwm splitter from EKWB (GELID)... it has 1 connector that goes into cpu 4pin connector on the mobo, then 4 pwm connectors that go into fans and 1 molex that powers them...

 

now, is the principle the same as with a fan controller... that depending on the cpu use, the mobo wiill supply anywhere from 5-12v to all those fans... meaning, that I can plug completely crazy variety of fans(from 140 to 40-60mm), and when I go full load every fan will get more voltages.

or it is crucial that all fans should be the same, and plugging smaller fans with large ones will do harm to one or another? (PS, I know that I will only see pwm rating of the main fan).

 

http://www.ekwb.com/shop/accessories/cables/ek-cable-splitter-4-fan-pwm-extended.html

[Enderman]

yeah, I understand that you can cut the connectors side to fit in 4pin ones... corsair cases have a 4pin wide connectors with 3 pin...

 

ok so cool. so every fan or fan motor operates at 12v max (which is the force of the current right). Although they might consume different amount of watts...

?

12v max is the voltage. Every fan will use a different amount of power (watts)

then you can change the fan speed by using either voltage control (changing the # of volts) or PWM control (changing the frequency of 12v pulses)

[Dr Fopolopolos]

while we are on the subject, I came up with one more question... I have a pwm splitter from EKWB (GELID)... it has 1 connector that goes into cpu 4pin connector on the mobo, then 4 pwm connectors that go into fans and 1 molex that powers them...

 

now, is the principle the same as with a fan controller... that depending on the cpu use, the mobo wiill supply anywhere from 5-12v to all those fans... meaning, that I can plug completely crazy variety of fans(from 140 to 40-60mm), and when I go full load every fan will get more voltages.

or it is crucial that all fans should be the same, and plugging smaller fans with large ones will do harm to one or another? (PS, I know that I will only see pwm rating of the main fan).

 

http://www.ekwb.com/shop/accessories/cables/ek-cable-splitter-4-fan-pwm-extended.html

That splitter is meant to be used for fans with a 4 pin pwm connector. It does not vary the voltage but will control any pwm fans.

For 3 pin fans you should use the built in case controller because that does use voltage control.