Aqua Computer Aquaero Owners thread

Dirk Diggler · 16 Nov 2018 at 11:26

Cenedd said:
String: if you're talking dual-loop they are independent so as long as your temps are fine, the flow rates can be different. Also fine if the loops share a res. My pumps are serial (dual top) and I don't have a problem running them at slightly different speeds (3222 and 3567 rpm currently). Given that the idea is to tolerate the failure of one, it should be fine but efficiency may be lost if too different I suspect.

It's a single loop. The reservoir, a pump and a 560mm radiator are in the garage where it's nice and cool. Inside the case (which is in my office) there's a pump, reservoir, CPU block, GPU block, 120mm Rad & 240mm Rad.

The PC connects to the "external" loop via quick disconnects. This means the PC can run independently of the external loop if required (moving case to another room or for maintenance etc..). However, when the entire loop is connected then the PC runs with no requirement for radiator fans to spin because the 560mm radiator in the garage does all the work - fluid is a steady 21C when system is gaming and running 100% load.

This is why it would be best to have the case pump @ 50% speed and the external pump at 100% speed. I'm just not sure if this would cause any issue with wear etc..

Cenedd · 16 Nov 2018 at 11:32

I wouldn't have thought so. Logically most of the load would be on the external pump but no more so than if you had only the external pump running. If the internal pump were stopped it would present a certain amount of restriction but shouldn't cause a problem - have a look at the Martin's Liquid Lab on serial Vs parallel pumps. If the internal one is at 50% then it may not contribute much to the flow rate (try it 100%/50%/0% and see) but should also not present much restriction and would also at least maintain some flow if the external pump failed.

Bugbait · 16 Nov 2018 at 15:05

String said:
There must be something amiss there, mate. I've got a dual D5 set up here and with both pumps @ 100% the flow rate is 185 l/h

In serial I assume? Have you set the poll rate correctly on the AQ flow rate sensor?

Dirk Diggler · 16 Nov 2018 at 15:34

Bugbait said:
In serial I assume? Have you set the poll rate correctly on the AQ flow rate sensor?

Yes, in-out in-out.

How would I calibrate the unit, the article you linked is a bit complicated?

Cenedd · 16 Nov 2018 at 15:56

You can change how many impulses per litre on the Sensors > Flow sensor page. Given that it defaults to 169 (assuming you have a high-flow sensor and have selected what you do have) the max error in the range you're looking at was 5% so it's not going to make drastic differences to the reading. Some, yes but not double it or anything. Worth checking on that page that you have got the correct sensor type selected though.

Dirk Diggler · 16 Nov 2018 at 16:04

Cenedd said:
Worth checking on that page that you have got the correct sensor type selected though.

Yea, it's set correctly.

Cheers

Dirk Diggler · 22 Nov 2018 at 14:45

I've noticed today that my PC didn't go to sleep as planned, and viewing task manager it seems "Aqua Computer Service" has been consuming a constant 15% CPU resource.

Is that normal?

Cenedd · 22 Nov 2018 at 14:52

I'm not in front of a PC to check now but I'm pretty certain that's not right. It's bound to use some cpu power but that sounds more like it's fallen over and is using an entire core/thread. You can try uninstalling the service and reinstalling it. If you're not pulling any data like CPU/GPU temp/load you can do without the service.

Dirk Diggler · 22 Nov 2018 at 15:02

@Cenedd how do I uninstall the service without uninstalling the program? Or, are they one and the same?

I stopped the service and it solved the issue BTW.

Cenedd · 22 Nov 2018 at 20:17

Well I thought there was an option in Aquasuite to do so but it turns out there isn't. The Aquasuite service does a few things for you - it's sort of an interface between Windows and the Aquaero. Specifically it reads the hardware monitor data (GPU temp, CPU temp, CPU/GPU load, motherboard temp sensors etc) and allows that to be passed to Aquasuite for graphs and the Aquaero for "Software sensors" - so you can display your CPU and GPU temps on the Aquaero screen...if you have one. The other thing it does is let you stream data. That's something that will either be really useful or of no use at all. For example, I share my home-office with my wife. I watercooled her PC because she was wrecking the silence of mine. By sharing some of her data items, I can keep an eye on things like her res fill level from my Aquasuite. Ditto with my server cupboard fans. For a single install where you're sitting directly in front of it, no use at all....unless you want to show stats in a forum badge/signature.

There's a few things you could do. You could set the service to disabled (Windows+R > services.msc > double-click "Aqua Computer Service" > change 'startup type' to disabled) and stop the service.
You could completely remove the service: Windows+R > cmd > right-click the new black cmd task on the task bar > Right-click 'Command prompt' > Run as administrator > from this new prompt:

Code:

sc delete "Aqua Computer Service"

If I were you, I'd probably try to sort it out though. You can backup the Aquaero config (not that it should get lost, but it's worth doing): Aquaero > System > Profiles and factory defaults > Create backup
Then if you have made any 'Overview pages' (graphs etc) that you want to keep, click the cog next to the page, then 'Export page' and then save it somewhere outside the Aquasuite program directory in case you delete that.
Then uninstall Aquasuite, reboot and install the latest. You can import the Overview pages but you shouldn't need to restore the backup of the Aquaero unless a newer version of Aquasuite flashes its firmware.

For reference, I'm running Aquasuite 2017-3.2 (not licensed for the 2018 and haven't bothered to check if there's cause to pay for an upgrade yet) and with a full screen of graphs, it's using between 0 and 1% of an i7-6700k.

Hope one of those options sorts it for you.

Dirk Diggler · 22 Nov 2018 at 22:50

Cenedd said:
You could set the service to disabled (Windows+R > services.msc > double-click "Aqua Computer Service" > change 'startup type' to disabled) and stop the service.

Resolved it with this, thanks again much appreciated.

doggles · 29 Mar 2019 at 15:08

Hi there, I have a Aquaero 5 pro -

it's developed a fault today and I wondered if any of you have had this/know how to fix it.

It's not the software, but the actual unit itself. The LCD display screen cycles itself through all of the displays automatically and makes a clicking noise.

Bugbait · 29 Mar 2019 at 15:24

Not experienced any faults with my AQ5 or 6 before. Have you tried to "Reset device to factory defaults"? Failing that, you can always try a hard reset: (pulled from web, not tried before)

Shut down the PC and disconnect all cables from the Aquaero except the power supply.
Place jumpers on temperature sensor input 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Supply power to the Aquaero and wait for approximately 60 seconds. The device display will show information on the deletion process.
Shut down the power supply and remove the jumpers from the temperature sensor inputs.
Connect the USB port of the Aquaero to the PC's motherboard and turn the power supply on.
Start the Aquasuite software and perform a firmware update.
Shut down the PC, reconnect all cables, then reboot the PC.

Cenedd · 29 Mar 2019 at 15:26

doggles said:
Hi there, I have a Aquaero 5 pro -

it's developed a fault today and I wondered if any of you have had this/know how to fix it.

It's not the software, but the actual unit itself. The LCD display screen cycles itself through all of the displays automatically and makes a clicking noise.

Sounds like the touch-button thinks it's being held down. Couple of things you can try. A cold boot - Shut down, unplug the power cable, press the power button to drain the last of the power, then plug it back in. An Aquaero runs off USB standby voltage so it's not actually off when you shut down. A full reset like this sometimes makes it play nice.

If that doesn't, you could start pulling it apart to see if it's just a bad contact. There's some dismantling shown on my project (albeit for an Aquaero 6 but it's fairly similar) here: https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/29260099

If neither works, and it's still in warranty, Aqua Computer are very good at sorting things out.

doggles · 29 Mar 2019 at 15:42

Thanks for.the replies.

I thought it was the buttons too. But I never use them..unless it was my cats..

I'll try as suggested

Thanks

_tucker_ · 31 Mar 2019 at 23:23

quick question is it possible to control more than 4 fan terminals with the aqua suite software?
im assuming i can buy a slitter board and connect it to the aqua bus on my aquaero 6?
my 4 fan headers are taken by my 4 rad/fan combos. its a large desk build hense the need for more control, i like to be able to control every rad separately to keep the build nice and quiet, also im going to try run 2 pcs of the 1 aquero if possible to save cost so ill need probably 6 or 8 separate headers so i can run all rads from both pcs

cheers in advance

Bugbait · 1 Apr 2019 at 01:55

_tucker_ said:
quick question is it possible to control more than 4 fan terminals with the aqua suite software?

The software can handle it by slaving additional AQ6 (LT) units. You're still limited to independent PWM control per channel though, so 4 channels per AQ6 unit. You can attach multiple fans to a channel though but I don't think that's what you're after?

I want independent control of my 2 D5 pumps which leaves 1 channel for intake (12 radiator fans) and another for exhaust (4 fans).

Cenedd · 1 Apr 2019 at 10:04

_tucker_ said:
quick question is it possible to control more than 4 fan terminals with the aqua suite software?
im assuming i can buy a slitter board and connect it to the aqua bus on my aquaero 6?
my 4 fan headers are taken by my 4 rad/fan combos. its a large desk build hense the need for more control, i like to be able to control every rad separately to keep the build nice and quiet, also im going to try run 2 pcs of the 1 aquero if possible to save cost so ill need probably 6 or 8 separate headers so i can run all rads from both pcs

Bugbait said:
The software can handle it by slaving additional AQ6 (LT) units

Worth noting that you can also use an Aquaero 5 or 5LT as a slave if you don't need PWM (5 only has PWM on 1 channel and voltage control on the other 3).
You can definitely run groups of fans (all fans on a rad, for example) using something like a Splitty9 or a RGBpxSplitty4.
Another option is that you can add a PowerAdjust3 Standard (you don't need the ultra as the Aquaero would do the work) for a single extra channel of voltage control (not PWM) up to 30W. You also get another flow header for a high-flow sensor (needs it's own specific cable that isn't included) and a temperature header. Can be used stand-alone - the Ultra version has the ability to run fan curves based off its own temp header but you don't need this extra with the Aquaero controlling it.

Another product that's worth being aware of is the Quadro PWM Controller which will connect by Aquabus to the Aquaero and provides 4 PWM channels, 4 temp headers and RGBpx header. Can be used stand-alone too.

If you're going to run multiple Aquabus connections from an Aquaero, some devices have pass-through and some don't. You can make up your own (or buy) Y-cables and split as many times as necessary. Or you can buy an AquabusX4 to split the power for you.

_tucker_ · 1 Apr 2019 at 14:11

Cenedd said:
Worth noting that you can also use an Aquaero 5 or 5LT as a slave if you don't need PWM (5 only has PWM on 1 channel and voltage control on the other 3).
You can definitely run groups of fans (all fans on a rad, for example) using something like a Splitty9 or a RGBpxSplitty4.
Another option is that you can add a PowerAdjust3 Standard (you don't need the ultra as the Aquaero would do the work) for a single extra channel of voltage control (not PWM) up to 30W. You also get another flow header for a high-flow sensor (needs it's own specific cable that isn't included) and a temperature header. Can be used stand-alone - the Ultra version has the ability to run fan curves based off its own temp header but you don't need this extra with the Aquaero controlling it.

Another product that's worth being aware of is the Quadro PWM Controller which will connect by Aquabus to the Aquaero and provides 4 PWM channels, 4 temp headers and RGBpx header. Can be used stand-alone too.

If you're going to run multiple Aquabus connections from an Aquaero, some devices have pass-through and some don't. You can make up your own (or buy) Y-cables and split as many times as necessary. Or you can buy an AquabusX4 to split the power for you.

Cheers for the help,

So basically what I want is 6 to 8 radiator fan curve controllers. I have the 4 fan headers on the aquero 6 set up with my existing 4 rads and each has around 6-8 fans on them.
I can’t piggy back of one of the fan headers as obviously I won’t be able to run a seperate curve controller for the new rad fans.

I’ve got one of the poweradjust metal mounting plates that has a faberwork led controller attached to it so ideally I want one that will screw into that as there is 2 seperate spaces still available in it ideally.
If I buy one of them splitters and connect it into the aquabus will the software detect it as a device? As obviously you have to assign them a number as not to clash with other items plugged in, ie I have 2 aqua xt pumps and 2 high flow meters plugged in and also the faberwork controller.

Lastly I don’t need pwm fan headers as all my fans are standard to save noise and I have a fair few fans in push/pull set up so pwm isn’t needed.

Cheers

Cenedd · 1 Apr 2019 at 14:49

If you use either of the Splittys, they are dumb devices, they just let you connect lots of fans to a single Aquaero channel and control all of them as one group. The reference to Aquabus on the Splitty9 is just that you can also use it to split an Aquabus connection instead (not as well) as a fan connection.
The only way you'd get an additional four channels would be either a slave Aquaero (5LT, 5, 6LT or 6) or a Quadro. I'm not sure whether the Quadro is the same dimensions as a PowerAdjust so I'm not sure if it would fit on a PowerAdjust mounting or not.
If you don't need PWM and need exactly 6 channels, a pair of PowerAdjusts would fit on the bezel you have. Would cost a fiver more and not give you any spare channels...but would fit.