Control 4-pin 12V DC fan via DCC1001_0

[phischmi]

Hi all,
i've got some general questions regarding the DCC1001_0 and DC computer fans.

i'd like to control a 4-pin 12V DC fan using the DCC1001_0.
In fact it is a Noctua NF A14 industrialPPC-3000 PWM fan.
The fan has a 4-pin connector for VCC, GND, PWM (0-5V @ 25KHz) and RPM.
Is it possible to control such a fan using the DCC1001_0?
Would it even be possible to control it using the separate PWM-Pin?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Philipp

[Patrick]

You might be able to control it using a DCC1001 using the VCC and GND pins - this would be PWMing power to the fan. This is how a 3-wire PC fan would be controlled.

However, since it's a 4-wire fan with a PWM pin, I think it's meant to be powered full-time with 12V, and controlled with PWM from a regular 5V signal pin. You should be able to control it with just a HUB0000 with a port in digital output mode, since the VINT ports support PWM output.

[phischmi]

Hi Patrick,

thanks for your answer.

But doesn't the HUB0000 send PWM-Signals @ 16KHz?
Wouldn't that be a problem, since the Intel specs for pwm-controlled fans say:

2.1.4 PWM Control Input Signal
The following requirements are measured at the PWM (control) pin of the fan cable connector see
Figure 7 and Table 1:
PWM Frequency: Target frequency 25 kHz, acceptable operational range 21 kHz to 28 kHz
Maximum voltage for logic low: VIL = 0.8 V
Absolute maximum current sourced: Imax = 5 mA (short circuit current)
Absolute maximum voltage level: VMax = 5.25 V (open circuit voltage)
This signal must be pulled up to a maximum of 5.25V within the fan.

[fraser]

Two problems with the Hub0000 solution. Hub outputs at 3.3V. And the frequency is 50kHz.

Also, the motor is 3 phase. I don't know if that affects it's ability to be controlled via a single H-bridge or not. Not familiar with these fans.

[phischmi]

Could the OUT1100 be a solution to this problem? It's PWM signal is 5V @ 16KHz.

What does "PWM frequency max: 50KHz" mean in the HUB0000s specs?

[fraser]

That max term is likely an error. There is no way to change the frequency (right now? Enhancements!).

It's tough to say about the OUT1100, depends on how much leniency the specifications on the fan have. That is 5kHz under the minimum. Depends if the fan has some actual intelligence or is just filtering the PWM to an analog level.

[Patrick]

On the hub at least, the PWM period varies with duty cycle.

-Patrick

[phischmi]

I'll go for the OUT1100 and will report
The fan's specs say, it supports a frequency starting @ 18KHz...

One last question:
As the fan will be powered by an external 12V psu, i need to connect the GND of the OUT1100 to the GND of the fan to get this working, right?

Regards

Philipp

[ariesphidget]

hi, I'm new to phidget and have a similar question. I'm using a SBC4 and I want to control the speed of a fan (172mm). I don't have the fan yet and I don't know with phidget and fan I need to buy Can anybody help me? Thanks a lot Robert

[mparadis]

If the fan you get is a simple 2-wire fan, I would recommend the 2A DC Motor Phidget. If you have a fan like the original poster described, then you might have to try something similar to what was discussed above.