SOLVED 6W Fan Controller and AP-15s?

skorpien · May 31, 2012

Hi all,

I'm using an Aerocool Power Watch 6 watt per channel fan controller in conjunction with 6 Scythe Gentle Typhoon AP-15s and 3 BitFenix Spectre LED 120mm fans.

I was thinking of running 3 each of the AP-15s on the first two channels and 2 and 1 of the Spectres on the last two channels. I just need to know would this actually work or do I need a higher watt fan controller?

The AP-15s are rated at 0.996W on Scythe's site (0.083A) and the Spectres are rated at 1.92W (0.16A). If I go by those numbers, I should be safe in running those fans on this controller but I'd like the opinion of the more knowlegeable members of this forum.

Thanks in advance!

johan851 · Jun 5, 2012

The math you did is exactly what I would do. 1w per AP-15 means 3w per channel for those, and ~4w and ~2w for channels 3 and 4, respectively. Those are all well under the 6w limit.

bluezero5 · Jun 5, 2012

Math checks out. VI=P.

TheHutchTTU · Jun 6, 2012

I would run each fan individually on the controller to see what its actual RPMs are compared to what it's rated for.

For example, the other day I bought a fan rated for 1500 RPM @12V. Plugged it into my controller and it runs at 2000 RPM (+33.33% repeating of course) @12V!

I have a feeling it is drawing more power than what the label specifies; to be sure I might just take my ammeter and confirm this. Give me a couple days and I'll post some results.

-H

MattNo5ss · Jun 6, 2012

The start-up current is 0.36A on the AP-15, so that's 4.32W per fan on start-up. The operating current is 0.083A, so 0.996W.

skorpien · Jun 6, 2012

Thanks all for the replies.

I figured I'd be safe with the operating current with those fans but I didn't have the start-up current... It seems the start-up current is too great for this controller, right? I mean there's no point connecting them the way I had planned if the controller won't provide enough juice for the fans to start. Or am I incorrect in my thoughts?

Guess I might have to look into a Lamptron or Sunbeam controller and delegate this to a less taxing build...

Thanks again.

johan851 · Jun 6, 2012

The start-up current is 0.36A on the AP-15, so that's 4.32W per fan on start-up. The operating current is 0.083A, so 0.996W.

That's transient draw, right? If this is a rheostat-type controller that doesn't present a problem, but if it's a PWM controller it might be an issue.

skorpien · Jun 6, 2012

johan851 said:
That's transient draw, right? If this is a rheostat-type controller that doesn't present a problem, but if it's a PWM controller it might be an issue.

It's definitely not a PWM controller, and none of my fans are PWM fans. I guess I could just test it. I wouldn't be burning anything out if I do, would I?

johan851 · Jun 6, 2012

Well, that's the concern - that you'd burn something out. But if it's not PWM then the circuitry for controlling fan speed shouldn't have trouble with a startup spike. Most people don't check the startup current draw anyway - the 6W rating is a continuous rating.

MattNo5ss · Jun 6, 2012

Yeah, the start-up current is just to get the fans going and doesn't last long, just an initial spike. I've incrementally added fans to channels for testing controllers and haven't had a blow out, but that was just for testing the max wattage of the channel in continuous use.

skorpien · Jun 6, 2012

Thanks all

I'll be keeping this controller in that case. And if I do blow anything, I'll just consider it a lesson in not researching thoroughly before purchasing a component

Thanks again!

SOLVED 6W Fan Controller and AP-15s?

skorpien

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johan851

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bluezero5

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TheHutchTTU

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MattNo5ss

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skorpien

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johan851

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skorpien

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johan851

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MattNo5ss

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skorpien

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