Question Lian LI TL 120 Controller box cable length ?

[Colif]

I am thinking of buying a 3 pack of these fans and using them on my Arctic Cooler 2 360mm AIO

UNI FAN TL - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases

SLIDE IN DAISY-CHAIN STYLE LCP FAN BLADES ENGINEERED MOTOR ENLARGED INFINITY MIRROR DUAL ZONE LIGHTING EFFECTS L-CONNECT 3 SOFTWARE https://youtu.be/ufWeJ4U67Q0 Download L-Connect 3 AVAILABLE IN TWO COLORS/ TWO SIZES/ TWO ORIENTATIONS Elevate the PC setup with UNI FAN TL black and white fans...

lian-li.com

Probably get reverse blade version as I am sick of seeing back of my fans.

Seem to be having problems with the P12 RGB that come attached to my AIO, so I am upgrading the fans.
Had to replace one already and now other two making noises like they are next.
Figure better to replace with better fans than keep replacing them.

Alternate fans I looked at:

• Can’t use Corsair ML120, they don’t have daisy chaining and can only be controlled by Icue for RGB. Also overpriced and have fairly average cooling. They just look pretty. (I have 2 spares, just thought about buying 3rd)
• Bequiet Silent Wings Pro 4 doesn’t allow daisy chain. No RGB either but pretty good cooling. Too much extra cable to deal with. Would have to run off fan hub as I don't have enough headers.
• I didn't look at Noctua as I want RGB. If they made RGB fans I wouldn't look anywhere else. can only be daisy chained at the header end, not as elegant as the Lian li solution. Could also buy a hub for them if I really wanted them. Is still more cables than what Arctic offer now, or the lian li one power cable for everything.

Cable length
I can't find any info on how long the attached cables are on controller

UNI HUB – TL Series Controller - LIAN LI is a Leading Provider of PC Cases | Computer Cases

UNI HUB - TL Series Controller The controller that can control UNI FAN TL & TL LCD in size of 120 / 140 at regular or reverse with L-Connect 3 in one go. TWO FANS, ONE CONTROLLER UNI FAN TL and TL LCD share the same controller, enabling the connection of up to 16 TL

lian-li.com

I can see the power cable from Fans to Control box is meant to be 55cm now, but the cables on the actual controller are a mystery.
Need to work out where I am putting the controller so it can reach

1. CPU_FAN header
2. ARGB Header
3. USB2 header

Last 2 connections on my board can be found at base of board, but as usual the CPU_FAN header is at top of board.

AIO front mounted so the Fan power cable will come out at bottom of the AIO (only way to not obstruct tubing on rad) and needs to connect to Controller box as cannot run these direct off MB. Probably put controller box just near my hdd cages next to AIO

The Controller uses a 6 pin PCIe cables for power - I am not concerned about the PCIe 6 pin as I should have a spare on my RMx1000 since I only used at most half of my 8 pin connections on PSU. One advantage to having too much power I guess. I see videos warning people about that fact as I know most people wouldn't have spares.

This video shows them but its not exact in the measurements - not buying the LCD versions of fans as I have seen they have issues with Lian LI software, and obviously running 3 or more 400x400mm IPS panels in PC at all time will use CPU - I saw complaints but its obvious they don't come free. Also, I wouldn't see screens in case where they are going anyway... and way too expensive for what you get. Non LCD versions have better Static Pressure as well.

Unknown cable length is the only thing slowing me down. I think it should work, just don't want to buy blindly.

 

[Aeacus]

Need to work out where I am putting the controller so it can reach

1. CPU_FAN header
2. ARGB Header
3. USB2 header

When cable reach is a problem, there is simple solution: cable extensions.

E.g CableMod's 4-pin fan cable extensions,
link: https://cablemod.com/product-category/cable-extensions/4-pin-fan/

I have them in use with my Skylake and Haswell builds as well, for eyecandy mostly.

This takes care the CPU_FAN header reach.

CableMod also has internal USB 2.0 extension cables,
link: https://cablemod.com/product-category/cable-extensions/internal-usb/

Have that in use as well.

This takes care the USB2 header reach.

With these two taken care of, i don't think you need to look towards ARGB header extension. But if you do,
amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jstincal-3-Pack-Extension-Addressable-Computer/dp/B0CF2MG9X9

Unknown cable length is the only thing slowing me down.

Only way of knowing that would be contacting Lian-Li directly and asking them.

 

[Colif]

Most of the cables are hard wired to controller. That or they use proprietary connectors. Entire system is Proprietary until it hits PWM
ARGB should probably be easiest as if I put controller next to board on right, the ARGB header is right next to it.

I watched more videos, it would appear all three cables are long enough to reach as far as they need to in my case.
But thanks for the ideas

 

[Aeacus]

Most of the cables are hard wired to controller. That or they use proprietary connectors. Entire system is Proprietary until it hits PWM

Yes, but the issue is, that the controller cables may not reach where they are supposed to. So, better to put the cable extender at the end of the cable coming from controller box, thus increasing overall cable length.

E.g; controller box --- proprietary connector --- original cable --- PWM/ARGB connector on original cable --- cable extension --- MoBo header.

Whereby, it's the extension that connects directly to MoBo. Like i have it set up:

Spoiler: Pic of cable extension in my Skylake build

Right image - original cables
Left image - CableMod extensions plugged to MoBo

Best example would be front I/O and USB cable, which in original form didn't reach behind MoBo tray. But with cable extensions, i could make it reach behind MoBo tray, giving much cleaner and nicer look.

 

[Colif]

I will get the unit and see if I can reach the ports, it should be able to since I don't see anyone else complaining about cable length apart from Jayz2cents on his videos.

If they don't reach I can buy an extender if need be before installing fans.

 

[Colif]

I figured I play it safe, bought the 30cm pwm extender at same time as the fans.

Waiting for weather to be right before I install them

 

[Colif]

I didn't end up needing the cable but your answer is close enough. It was a suggestion I did follow, I just didn't need it

Its an interesting idea having sensors report in the fan hub but it has its weak points.
Such as:

1. Every sensor you show on a fan adds a process to CPU that has to update constantly to show right amounts.
2. This adds heat to the CPU as it can be up to 20% background processes at all times.
3. So your cooling fans are actually creating heat... seems counterproductive to me.
4. Especially when you mount them on an AIO as find you are gaining heat, not expelling it.

I don't know how you get around that really... apart from not showing sensors on the fans. Which is choice I took, currently just showing the Lian LI logo until I find a better image, gif or animation to put on... I suspect first two use the least resources.

its a shame as the sensors look good. Even just running one sensor adds about 4 processes. Shame really.

Collecting sensor reports is the biggest user. Without using probes its difficult to get those without talking to CPU.

Main reason I got them was to remove a whirring noise. Its gone so I am happy