Need help with fan control.

Owlman · May 20, 2018

I'm planning on using an external radiator for my next build and I'm undecided on how to setup fan and pump control. My main goal is to have the radiators, pump and fans as one unit that will sit beside my desk, and that it doesn't have any wires running to my PC.

I'm planning on using 6 140mm PWM fans (specifically Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM) and a D5 pump.

I have one idea which is to use a splitter like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Way-PC-CPU-PWM-Cooling-Fan-Speed-Controller-Hub-4-3-pin-Power-Socket-Splitter/142662466756?hash=item2137587cc4:g:6gwAAOSwM~taYvu2&autorefresh=true and a fan controller like for instance the NZXT Sentry 3. Then have the splitter with the 6 fans on one channel and the pump on another channel. However I'm not sure this is the best way of doing it.

Would really appreciate any suggestions on how I should do this, also please recommend some good fan controllers.

Thanks in advance. (sorry if this is posted in the place)

LogicalDrm · May 20, 2018

Sequencing splitters/hubs isn't great idea to begin with. But lets assume it will work. It should as hub has external power. Main problem with using splitter and another splitter is, will original header be able to power all fans connected. I think Sentry's have limit of 4 per channel.

The bigger issue I see is, how will you power everything outside the case if you don't want any wires to go to case. Hoses will go in anyway, why not make third hose-like thing which has power cables and temp sensors going in case?

Owlman · May 20, 2018

4 hours ago, LoGiCalDrm said:

Sequencing splitters/hubs isn't great idea to begin with. But lets assume it will work. It should as hub has external power. Main problem with using splitter and another splitter is, will original header be able to power all fans connected. I think Sentry's have limit of 4 per channel.

The bigger issue I see is, how will you power everything outside the case if you don't want any wires to go to case. Hoses will go in anyway, why not make third hose-like thing which has power cables and temp sensors going in case?

Thanks for the reply.

It shouldn't matter that the sentry is limited to 4 fans per channel as the only wires that will go between the sentry and the splitter is the PWM and RPM cables.

When it comes to power, I think it should be fairly easy to find a power adapter that will work. I could also use an older PSU I have. The reason i don't want to use my PC to power this thing is that I'm going with a mITX case, and I want to use as few cables as I can to reduce clutter in the case.