FS: PWM->analog Voltage Controller Circuit for pumps/fans

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dinofx
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FS: PWM->analog Voltage Controller Circuit for pumps/fans

Post by dinofx » Thu May 25, 2006 12:45 pm

Let your BIOS or software (SpeedFan) dynamically change your pump's voltage based on your systems activity.

I have a water cooled SFF, and I was not satisfied with the noise from the water pump at idle time. My motherboard supports PWM control of all of the fans in my system, but the water pump did not support PWM, so it ran at full speed all the time.

So, I have custom designed and built a circuit that converts a PWM signal into a steady variable output voltage, specifically for water pumps, but it works with non-PWM fans too. Now I use SpeedFan to control my water pump too.

I had the circuit professionally manufactured, which meant that I had to order a few more than just one. I have a few extras that are for sale, either assembled, or as a kit.

Image

The circuit is powered from your PSU +12V, but connects to your motherboard to report tach., and for the input PWM. The circuit will power two devices, such as a water pump and fan, but only reports the tach for one device.

The price is $35 assembled, or $20 for just the parts. S&H extra.

The voltage varries from 7.4 to ~12 volts. Most water pumps will not start reliably at a lower voltage than this.
Last edited by dinofx on Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:26 am, edited 1 time in total.

dinofx
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Post by dinofx » Thu Sep 07, 2006 6:26 am

Bumping due to interest in the fan control forum.

gb115b
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Post by gb115b » Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:07 am

ebay shop?

how much would it be for you to ship 1 to the uk.

also. strictly speaking this is a pwm-> analog dc convertor (not controller)

it relies on the m/b for control right?

G

dinofx
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Post by dinofx » Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:49 am

gb115b wrote:how much would it be for you to ship 1 to the uk.

also. strictly speaking this is a pwm-> analog dc convertor (not controller)
it relies on the m/b for control right?
Indeed, you are correct. Although, most people are shopping for a "fan controller", not thinking about the fact that the MB has sensors and control output, which can be driven often by either BIOS or SpeedFan, etc.

If I had said "converter", would you have been as likely to click on the post?? :-)

Shipping to UK is not too expensive, but the real issue is that I must physically go to the post and grab a customs form. US$43 shipped (by air).

gb115b
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Post by gb115b » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:21 pm

out of interest, have you tested this on any pwm supporting intel motherboards (to see if the fan can still be controlled)

gb115b
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Post by gb115b » Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:23 pm

also i have another electronicsey project that you might be interested in

pm me

dinofx
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Post by dinofx » Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:08 am

gb115b wrote:out of interest, have you tested this on any pwm supporting intel motherboards (to see if the fan can still be controlled)
I'm not sure I understand what you mean. My original usage was inside my Shuttle SD31P, which is an Intel chipset. A recent buyer has had success with one of the AMD chipsets.

cmthomson
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Post by cmthomson » Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:55 am

Bumping due to recent interest in using 3-pin fans on motherboards that only have 4-pin PWM headers.

dinofx
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Post by dinofx » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:46 am

Thanks for the bump! I haven't had much time to visit the forum recently, but I still have 24 unassembled PCBs, and the parts for at least 12.

This circuit has been running almost non-stop in my Shuttle XPC for a long time.

pcy
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Post by pcy » Wed Jan 03, 2007 1:19 pm

Hi,

I have a similar product. So far we have only built protptypes, but they work fine controlling varuous 3 pin fans using the PWM output fro an Intel DP965LT mobo.


I was thinbking of making them available for about £5 - $9.50 plus postage...



Peter

gpilot
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Dinofx, please pm me

Post by gpilot » Sat Feb 17, 2007 11:00 am

Dinofx I am interersted in one, maybe two of these. Please PM me.

Thanks!

MalcolmC
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Post by MalcolmC » Sat Feb 17, 2007 12:45 pm

PCY
Any more details? - sound interesting for those of us in the UK.

trident
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Location: Indiana, U.S.A.

please pm about PWM converter

Post by trident » Sun Jun 10, 2007 10:10 am

Dinofx I would like to purchase one of these, SM components pre-soldered and one kit of parts. Please PM.

Thanks!

gb115b
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Post by gb115b » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:29 am

long time no post

but i recently purchased a G33 chipset board (MSI) which doesn't allow you to control the fan speed on 3 pin fans (no DC option), and not sure how far speedfan support will go with this board...

so i thought there may be renewed interest in this little device... did Mike ever review it?

dinofx
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Joined: Thu May 25, 2006 12:36 pm

Sorry, haven't visited in quite some time...

Post by dinofx » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:07 am

I haven't been to this site for almost a year, but I'm back. Sounds like there is a constant trickle of interested buyers. I've sold 6 of these to date (never heard a complaint), and still have 24 PCBs available. I'm short on heatsinks, but I could get the parts from futurlec in about 2 weeks, in which time I might be able to solder some of these together again.

... waiting for the drip, drip, drip of potential buyers again.

BTW, if anyone can help me out, I have a WD Raptor 150GB drive revision 00NLR0. The drive has crapped out on me, but it seems to be only a problem with the circuit board. The data isn't critical, but I'd like to get it off if someone can lend/sell/trade me a compatible Raptor.

trident
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Location: Indiana, U.S.A.

Post by trident » Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:14 am

would like to control an S-Flex from a PWM header for new build.

interested in several kits or just PCBs and a circuit print,
if that is all you have available.

xan_user
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Post by xan_user » Sun Feb 24, 2008 1:12 pm

Thats a "cool" tool!
I'd be interested in a model that went down to 4 or 5v .
I have a mobo with only one on board fan control jumper, but would like to run 3 fans from it without putting to much strain on the mobo.

signal64
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Post by signal64 » Thu Mar 06, 2008 4:08 am

dinofx - sent you a PM.

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