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Modding PWM Fan Controller

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by macroman, 3 Dec 2001.

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  1. macroman

    macroman The One

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    Last edited by a moderator: 1 Nov 2003
    macroman, 3 Dec 2001
    #1
  2. Tim S

    Tim S OG

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    Cool, this site seems to be getting back to its almightyness :D

    It won't be long now before it becomes the Meccah for all modders around the world ;)

    Cheers,

    Biggie
     
    Tim S, 3 Dec 2001
    #2
  3. jamiesurfs

    jamiesurfs Boom Boom, Cha Cha Cha!

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    It's a great idea to save a bit of fan noise, especially if you are using those annoying deltas!:cool:
     
    jamiesurfs, 3 Dec 2001
    #3
  4. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    Macro that's SWEEEEEEET.

    We've (prolly u mostly :D:D) gotta make a list of useful stock codes for mappers and RS n make it a sticky on the moddin forum.

    That way we can just refer to it when need be and add cool stuff when we find cool stuff :D:D
     
    Guest-16, 3 Dec 2001
    #4
  5. jamiesurfs

    jamiesurfs Boom Boom, Cha Cha Cha!

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    Yeah, can we have the Mapper's codes please!:D
     
    jamiesurfs, 3 Dec 2001
    #5
  6. macroman

    macroman The One

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    The reason there are no Maplin/RS codes........they don't sell the chip yet. :( Besides Rapid are cheaper :)
     
    macroman, 3 Dec 2001
    #6
  7. ido

    ido What's a Dremel?

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    Nice article, but I was wondering what kind of circuit I should do if I wanted to hook up a lot of fans, like 8 Delta 120mm. That's easily over 60W...should I do an electrobus like in the article on Razor-tech (where can I find the old articles?) or this type of setup?
     
    ido, 4 Dec 2001
    #7
  8. macroman

    macroman The One

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    This is the type of circuit to use if you are going to use such a heavy load. Just use a beefier transistor and slap on a decent heatsink. Although Using that many fans I would recommend a fanbus to give better control of air flow.

    My Razor-Tech articles will be re posted here soon.
     
    Last edited: 4 Dec 2001
    macroman, 4 Dec 2001
    #8
  9. RolloThomasi

    RolloThomasi What's a Dremel?

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    Macroman: Have you got a data-sheet for that mic502-thingie? Can't seem to find it here in Norway, so I'm generally looking for something similar that I can use. Thankie
     
    RolloThomasi, 4 Dec 2001
    #9
  10. macroman

    macroman The One

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    Don't search engines work in Norway? ;)

    http://www.micrel.com/product-info/products/mic502.html
     
    macroman, 4 Dec 2001
    #10
  11. RolloThomasi

    RolloThomasi What's a Dremel?

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    most of the time they do, but apparently they are all on strike, or was it lunch, or whatever... Ok so I'm a limp-dick looroll who can't be bothered with searching, when he can get others to do it for him :)

    thanks man
     
    RolloThomasi, 4 Dec 2001
    #11
  12. l3thal

    l3thal What's a Dremel?

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    Love the new article macroman, especially the temp control with sleep setting, that is well cool. Will definately build one of those in the future :)
     
    Last edited: 6 Dec 2001
    l3thal, 4 Dec 2001
    #12
  13. ido

    ido What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks, so to vary the voltage to the fans in groups, of 2 for example, I should just make separate controllers?
     
    ido, 4 Dec 2001
    #13
  14. macroman

    macroman The One

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    That will enable you to balance the air flow better and produce the best cooling performance with minimum noise. :)
     
    macroman, 4 Dec 2001
    #14
  15. cpemma

    cpemma Ecky thump

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    Excellent article, and a fantastic IC. I've been assembling bits for a typical PWM circuit (ex Practical Electronics May 2k1, actually) with a UJT saw-tooth oscillator & 071 comparator, but this is far more versatile and simpler to set up.

    Wish I'd found it first for http://www.cpemma.fsnet.co.uk/thermal.html

    Couple of comments -

    (1) Maxim (http://dbserv.maxim-ic.com/tarticle/view_article.cfm?article_id=114) & others reckon 100-120Hz is a decent pwm frequency for brushless fans; 30Hz may be a tad low, giving you the growl you mention,
    (2) What's the max measured voltage? I'd expect the transistor to drop at least 0.6v, a mosfet may be better.

    But I'll order the bits & play, so thanks.
     
    cpemma, 5 Dec 2001
    #15
    macroman likes this.
  16. macroman

    macroman The One

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    The chip is optimised for driving an NPN transistor and since I had no suitable mosfets to hand....well. I will probably order some mosfets next time I restock. ;) Let me know how it goes.

    The drop across T1 is about 0.6, a mosfet may well perform better, but at high fan loading, volt drop across the psu connectors is more of an issue i have found. The chip may require some additional output load correcting components if used with a mosfet?

    I tried different frequencies and had no growl problems so I stuck with the manufactures recommendation of 30 Hz. Obviously I can't test every possible fan but I have tested most of the popular ones with no problem. The design is really more a "building block" rather than a de facto fan controller. Mod away. :D
     
    macroman, 5 Dec 2001
    #16
  17. cpemma

    cpemma Ecky thump

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    Thanks for feedback, btw, what camera took the stripboard shots? Look good. :D
     
    cpemma, 5 Dec 2001
    #17
  18. ido

    ido What's a Dremel?

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    Thanks man, the Delta on top of my Swifty is already driving me insane...:eek:
     
    ido, 5 Dec 2001
    #18
  19. Woody

    Woody What's a Dremel?

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    Nice mod...Bit tech returns to form:D
    Have just ordered the parts......
     
    Woody, 6 Dec 2001
    #19
  20. l3thal

    l3thal What's a Dremel?

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    Could you tell me what software you use to "draw" your circuits and where can i get it from? :)

    And does the 220 microFarad C2 capacitor need to be adjusted if more channels are added? i.e. increase / decrease the capacitance?

    thanks
     
    l3thal, 6 Dec 2001
    #20
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