fan splitter for fan controller

[yas1320]

Hi guys,

Need your help and advice again.

I was wondering if I can use a fan splitter on my case fan controller(Arc Mini R2). I want to add two new intake fans (Akasa Apache 120mm), which I've already bought.

I have heard that the fan controller on fractal design case's only support 15w max. So if I'm using the 2 apache fans and two of the stock fans with the controller, would that exceed 15w. Not sure what wattage my fans are though.

Thanks in advance.

[EmeraldFlame]

It seems like Akasa Apache 120mm fans pull 0.33 Amps at the typical 12 Volts, that means they use about 3.94 Watts each, I would just round that to 4 for ease of math. Without knowing the model of your case fans it is hard to tell what they pull, but 4-5 Watts is pretty typical for a fan. I would say your probably best to stick to 3 fans per header unless you can find numbers on those case fans that prove you can do otherwise.

 

To calculate this yourself it is pretty easy. Most manufacturers will give you Amperage specifications, and nearly all computer fans run at 12V. Simply take Volts * Amps = Watts.

Also as a heads up, some higher end, more expensive fans are much less power hungry. Noctua NF-F12's for example only pull 0.6W (12V * 0.05A = 0.6W).

[yas1320]

It seems like Akasa Apache 120mm fans pull 0.33 Amps at the typical 12 Volts, that means they use about 3.94 Watts each, I would just round that to 4 for ease of math. Without knowing the model of your case fans it is hard to tell what they pull, but 4-5 Watts is pretty typical for a fan. I would say your probably best to stick to 3 fans per header unless you can find numbers on those case fans that prove you can do otherwise.

To calculate this yourself it is pretty easy. Most manufacturers will give you Amperage specifications, and nearly all computer fans run at 12V. Simply take Volts * Amps = Watts.

Also as a heads up, some higher end, more expensive fans are much less power hungry. Noctua NF-F12's for example only pull 0.6W (12V * 0.05A = 0.6W).

That's a brilliant explanation, very well put and easy to understand.

I am using stock fans for the other fans. The fractal design silent series fans. I have 2 fans which are 120mm and 1 which is 140mm. Just had a look on their website the 140mm use 2.4w and the 120mm use 0.72w each. So should be fine to use the splitter on the controller.

Thanks front your help @EmeraldFlame. Appreciate it.

[EmeraldFlame]

Glad I could help, it definitely seems like a single 15W channel should be plenty for those fans. 

 

Also, just as a heads up, if you don't want to use a whole bunch of Y cable splitters (which can be a lot of cable clutter and hard to manage), ModMyToys makes great PCB fan header splitters. You can find them here: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14662/ele-988/3-Pin_Power_Distribution_PCB_5xWay_Block_MMT-PCB-3-53.html

[yas1320]

Glad I could help, it definitely seems like a single 15W channel should be plenty for those fans. 

 

Also, just as a heads up, if you don't want to use a whole bunch of Y cable splitters (which can be a lot of cable clutter and hard to manage), ModMyToys makes great PCB fan header splitters. You can find them here: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/14662/ele-988/3-Pin_Power_Distribution_PCB_5xWay_Block_MMT-PCB-3-53.html

 

That's a good idea, I have also purchased the y splitter.  I'll see how I get on with that then If cable management becomes a problem I will look into one of these.