High End Fan Control (spec me)

NoNameNoNumber · 25 May 2015 at 12:09

Good afternoon...

I've just got all of my fans installed in my new project, 8 rad fans and 3 case fans. Now, I'm happy for the case fans to run at their slowest all of the time but I want the 8 rad fans controllable in 2 banks... Top rad and bottom rad so my first question is this.

What hardware will I need to be able to control 4 fans per channel? I guess the aquero can do this although it doesn't actually say on the product page. I guess the d5 would be run through it as well with a flow sensor? Far more complex than any of my previous loops!

If someone would be so kind... Could you please shed some light? Pictures of the installations much appreciated!

Thanks guys!

gatecrasherlok · 25 May 2015 at 12:29

Aquaero lineup. And fan controlling is not where it stops.

NoNameNoNumber · 25 May 2015 at 12:33

gatecrasherlok · 25 May 2015 at 12:58

The newer aquearo lineup will be able to handle four fans per channel but obviously depends on the fans you are using and how many you are hooking up to one channel.

I currently have one channel each split off to one 3 fans which cools 360 rad. Then i have another two channels which are set up eacatly int he same manner but for the radiator at the 5.25 inch bays. one channel for push from the case door fans and the other pulling from the radiator.

I also have one of my D5 pumps connected to the aquaero but in all honesty I have never needed to use it apart from when I am trying to get those pesky bubbles out form the loop.

I alss have a flow meter module from aquacomputer connected straight to the outlet of the pump. This just gives me visual representation through data values on my flow and if one pump does decide to go then I would be able to spot it.

Then there is 2 inline temp sensors within the loop along with temp probe for the ambient case temp.

Its a very versatile piece of kit and I highly recommend it.

gatecrasherlok · 25 May 2015 at 12:59

I'll post up some pics a little later as I have just upgraded and the cables are not really managed to my point of liking at the mo.

Bluntwrapped · 25 May 2015 at 13:46

I would just use a regular fan controller with a single to double header cable and say split the fans over 4 channels rather than 2.

Not really worth spending so much on the Aquero if all you need is a fan controller.

NoNameNoNumber · 25 May 2015 at 18:32

Thanks guys, Gatecrasher thanks for the info, flow sensor probably isn't necessary... If a pump fails alarms will be raised as the temp goes up and I'm not really interested in the temps at various points in the loop. I keep an eye on water temp but tbh in this new rig I doubt I'll really be pushed for cooling capacity at all so perhaps I could just do as BW suggested and stick with my Akasa 6 channel split down to run 8 fans on 4 channels the pump on another and then the 2 intake 120's on another...

Hmmm that could save me a load of money! Although I have always fancied an automatic controller..

What would be the most suitable Aquero? Would a 5 suffice?

ErikN · 26 May 2015 at 08:37

NoNameNoNumber said:
What would be the most suitable Aquero? Would a 5 suffice?

If you are fine with only voltage control for 3 of 4 channels, then the 5 is enough.

The 6 have PWM (or voltage) control for all channels.

Have to say, the aquaero 6 I have is my most favourite part in my setup, but it come with a higher than average price.

Deathjester · 26 May 2015 at 10:38

I have 2 Aquaeros a 5 and a 6 and they are great.

The other option is to use a splitter, I'm going to assume they are PWM.

The cable needs the RPM & PWM signals to go back to a PWM header (this can be on your motherboard) and a Molex connector to power the setup.
You can either make one, or I believe there is a "Gelid Solutions 1-to-4 PWM Fan Splitter"
Which will serve your purpose.

ubersonic · 26 May 2015 at 12:52

What fans are you using? an ASUS Rampage board itself is one of the very best fan controllers on the market, you can connect 12w of fans to each header and the voltage control on the chassis headers is great.

NoNameNoNumber · 26 May 2015 at 16:22

I'm using 3 pin fans, I've never tried on board fan control like you say though the RIVE might actually he fairly capable itself! I will have to have a look through the manual.

gatecrasherlok · 27 May 2015 at 21:45

Well if you don't need all the monitoring of flow sensors, thermal probes etc and even res fill level then I would highly recommend you just go with a regular fan controller. Personally i don't need the aquaero either but I do like the feature set that they offer. I personally run the 5 xt and from what I have heard even the LT version is great.

At the end of the day it entirely depends on what you NEED versus how much you actually want a certain thing. Baring in mind factor in if you would actually make full use of the aquaero if you did decide to opt for them.