Fan Controller advice

[rhegedus]

I've recently built a rig using an Antec 900 case that has 4 fans supplied as well as the standard CPU fan.

I'd like to add a fan controller to the system than can not only vary fan speed but can also switch off the case fans when not needed.

However, the four case fans are powered by a 4-pin molex plug whereas all tha fan controllers I've seen use the standard 3-pin connection.

Are there and fan controllers that use only 4-pin imput or are there and 4-to-3 pin connectors that I could use with a 3-pin fan controller?

Many thanks.

[redwudz]

This probably doesn't help you much, but the three pin connector includes a 'sense' lead for RPM reading where the Molex just uses the 12VDC straight from the power supply. If you don't need speed indicators, or your speed control doesn't need them, there should be adapters out there. But most go the other way, to adapt 3 pin fans to the four pin Molex connectors. Don't know where you might find one in the UK, but this one appears to be what you would be looking for: http://www.svc.com/4to3ad.html It needs to be female on both cable ends.

[Delerious]

I have a couple of Sunbeam Rheobus controllers. They handle 20 Watts per channel. I see SVC has a black one for around $12 http://www.svc.com/bus-54-bk-24.html . http://www.jab-tech.com/Sunbeam-5-1-4-Rheobus-Kit-Silver-pr-2529.html is cheaper if you want silver.

J

[DereX888]

rhegedus, there are few excellent programs that allow speed control of your system's fans, including shutting them down. If your motherboard permits (depending how and how many fans it can really control - another reason why I always go with Asus mobos for past 10 years) you may not need any hardware controller.
Try SpeedFan first (freebie)
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

[rhegedus]

Thanks for the suggestions

@ DereX, I don't have as many mobo controllers as I have case fans and, in any case, I kile the idea of physically being able switch fans on/off.

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much choice out there - most of the one's I've see look like an 80's disco night

[DereX888]

well, since controlling them thru mobo/software is out of question, maybe swap existing fans with the ones that have built-in thermistors? They won't shutdown though (usually have only 2 different speeds - low and full)
Or, if you want, you can even make your own "controllers" added to each fan (or a single one controlling all of them), its pretty simple job.
Diagrams here: http://www.bcae1.com/coolfans.htm

[rhegedus]

Well, I ended up going doen the 4 to 3 pin converter route.

Bought 4 from misco.co.uk for £1.29 ea. Even on such a cheap item, there are retailers trying to rip you off - overclockers wanted £2.34 for the exact same item. Where do they get off?

So, the hunt is now on for a black fan controller that doesn't look like a disco

[DereX888]

Well, I ended up going doen the 4 to 3 pin converter route.

Bought 4 from misco.co.uk for £1.29 ea. Even on such a cheap item, there are retailers trying to rip you off - overclockers wanted £2.34 for the exact same item. Where do they get off?

So, the hunt is now on for a black fan controller that doesn't look like a disco

hahaha yeah, youre right, freaking flashing LEDs in the fans drive me crazy too

[rhegedus]

Ended up going for this little baby:

Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus

[redwudz]

That Zalman unit looks nice. I agree about the 'disco' lights. I've used paint on one of my external hard drive blue LED. It was blindingly bright in a dark room.

I have found those adapters from $ .99 to $ 6.00US for the exact same unit. They are difficult to find, so I think some suppliers take advantage. I've resorted to cutting the wires and soldering them back together, insulated with a piece of shrink tubing to get away from the adapter problem. Sometimes that's the best way. Of course you still need at least one connector to unplug everything at times.

Since that Zalman unit doesn't have speed readouts, you may have to play with your fan settings a bit to get the right combination. Though I usually just turn them down till the noise level is reasonable, then monitor the case temps.

Just as a added little 'trick', I put a rubber or foam washer under the knobs so that they don't easily move. That helps to keep the settings from getting disturbed by accident.