Powering 4 fans from a single mobo header

Disco_P

Disco_P

Disco_P

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Using a bunch of splitters would this be advisable? Is it going to catch fire and kill me/my dog?

Mobo is a Z77 MPower and fans would be Artic Cooling F12s running at about 900rpm.

I am already using 6 molex devices so I really don't want to use more.
 
Doogles said:
I don't think you would get enough power off one motherboard header to power it, couldn't you just get a fan controller?
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Well I am currently using all my fan splitters to do it and they are working. I just would like to know of any long term side effects.

Fan controller is a no go as I am using an H440 with has no ODDs.
 
Can't see a current limit for the headers on that board, those fans at 900rpm would be drawing a bit over half an amp which isn't loads in the grand scheme of things.

Seperate fan controller inside the case not an option?

Rich
 
F12 fans are 0.24amp @ 12volt, 4 fans is 0.96 amp. Typically fan headers are good for up to 1amp load.
F12 draw 0.17A @ 7V which is 900rpm so even less.

This means you should be able to run 4 fans but that is close to the header limit.
 
Dog said:
Can't see a current limit for the headers on that board, those fans at 900rpm would be drawing a bit over half an amp which isn't loads in the grand scheme of things.

Seperate fan controller inside the case not an option?

Rich
Click to expand...

Probably not, running low on space in the H440 and they do cost a lot.

shadowhawk1967 said:
Do you have a spare expansion slot? If so, what about considering this.

YOUR BASKET
1 x NZXT Sentry LXE Touch Screen External Fan Controller £49.99
Total : £55.97 (includes shipping : £4.98).

Click to expand...

Man alive that is a pretty penny.

doyll said:
F12 fans are 0.24amp @ 12volt, 4 fans is 0.96 amp. Typically fan headers are good for up to 1amp load.
F12 draw 0.17A @ 7V which is 900rpm so even less.

This means you should be able to run 4 fans but that is close to the header limit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for doing the maths man.

The ultimatum is that I want to power 6 fans on a 2 fan headers. I can use a double (which I have) plus a quad for £4.50. Or buy two triples for £12 in total.

Since I made this post I have had 4 fans running at 100% using 3 2 way splitters without anything exploding. Am I safe or do you think it is a matter of time.
 
Problem is fan header is not limited to 7V and often run at full speed at startup. Using a speed reducer on the fan is still 12v coming from mobo header.
 
doyll said:
Problem is fan header is not limited to 7V and often run at full speed at startup. Using a speed reducer on the fan is still 12v coming from mobo header.
Click to expand...

It's bios set to run at 50% and on startup it doesn't ramp up and then settle down. I am fairly sure that it uses voltage to set these speeds as they are not PWM fans.

m9tjA4x.png
 
I know, I have no idea what 50% is actually in relation to but the fan runs about about 900rpm and is quiet whilst moving a nice chunk of air so I am happy.
 
Are they F12 PWM fans mate, if so get a PWM splitter cable. Ive used an akasa version to power 5x akasa piranhas and 5x alpenfohn red clovers. All powered via molex but proper PWM speed control from the cpu fan header on my motherboard.
 
Sorry Set, they are the non PWM versions as they are £1 less which is a fair amount when you buy 8 of them.

Anyway I remembered that I am currently using a fan header as an RPM readout for my pump which I can use instead to power 2 fans. So I will have 2 fans per header which should be gravy.

Many thanks all.
 
I looked into grid and grid plus but want to avoid having to use another molex as space is super limited and I would need to use another cable from my PSU as the current molex one is currently powering 6 devices.
 
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