Fan header and supply current questions.

[hordesofkailas]

I am planning to use the fan below on my next build and have some questions about fan header current.

http://www.coolermaster.com/cooling/case-fan/masterfan-pro-120-ap-rgb/

Under specifications, I see that the rated current is 0.16A and that the safety current is 0.3A. I take this to mean that the maximum it will ever run at (including startup) 0.3A.

Given that a single fan header on my mobo is capable of supplying 1A, I should theoretically be able to run three fans (0.9A) off of a single fan header safely. Is this line of reasoning correct?

 

[clutchc]

In theory, yes. But with all three fan starting at the same time, the total locked rotor current may slightly exceed their estimate depending on the quality of manufacture. That would be cutting it close. I'm not saying it would kill the board or anything, but over time it may kill the header.

Is there no other way to connect the fans w/o ganging 3 to a header?

 

[hordesofkailas]

There are definitely alternatives. I could go with two 140mm fans that together have a safety current of 0.8A. Do you think that would substantially lower the risk? I'm not looking to blow a header or anything.

But maybe it would make sense to only double up? Would it be safe to have two 120mm fans (0.6A safety current) on a single header?

I have two chassis headers, an AIO pump header, an CPU OPT header, and a CPU header. I was planning to throw the three front case intake fans onto one chassis header. In total I would have three front fans, two top fans, one back fan, and one bottom fan. Would it be safe to use the CPU OPT or AIO pump headers to run other fans?

 

[clutchc]

2 fans on a header will be fine. I do that quite often.

 

[TJ Hooker]

You can also get fan a header splitter with with a SATA power connector. The tachometer and PWM wires are connected to the motherboard, but power is drawn directly from the PSU.

Edit: Looks like there are models out there that draw power from the PSU either through a SATA power connector or a molex connector, either would be fine.

 

[clutchc]

+1^
I forgot about those. Best idea.

 

[hordesofkailas]

TJ, so the fans would be driven by the PSU but controlled by the mobo? I like the sound of that. Would I need to mod the wires coming from the fans to the mobo?

 

[clutchc]

You can also get a gadget like this to mount behind the motherboard tray (or where ever) and run multiple fans from one PWM header. The +12V comes form any Molex connector.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Nope, no modding required, just get something like this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812423164&cm_re=splitter-_-12-423-164-_-Product