Need help developing a high tech fan controlling system.

[icewolf69]

hey all, many of you may notice me as of late, because I've had so many problems with my new PC, bleeding on the cutting edge of technology so to speak.

Anyway, i have a water cooled system, and a 3 120mm fan radiator.

My main question is this:

I have 6 fans for the radiator, and at least 2 in the case, and I may add 2 more in the case to reduce ambient temps. i would like a system that could control all these fans. i don't have to have them all controlled separately, but i would like at least 3 separate system controllers (3 knobs, preferably 4).

Now, I am totally aware of bay fan controllers. The main problem is, my reservoir takes up my floppy and 1 5.25" front Bay. The other problem is, the clutter that would be involved with routing all the wires from the radiator that's mounted externally; and all the internal fan cords, to the front. it would look messy and would reduce airflow in the case.

So does anyone know of a way, that i could maybe have an external fan controller box? Do any companies make such a thing? I guess i could buy one of those small box cases and buy a cheap power supply and just set it on top of or next to the PC.
(like this: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/4079/cst-419/Lian-Li_Mini_Series_PC-V300_Silver_Mini_Tower_Case.html#blank )

How many fans can a single 3 pin PSU cord power?

Most fan controllers i know of can only control one fan per nob, is there a way to control say 3-6 fans with one nob?

I don't have much experience in this area, so if someone could throw some ideas out there, it would be greatly appreciated.

Hope you guys understand what I'm asking, I'm pretty tired. If not, just post, I'll get back as soon as i can.

 

[AdamBomb42]

You could make your own using rheostats, but I think it would be easier to just buy a fan controller and mod you case to place it somewhere else. I purchased a sunbeam fan controller from xoxide.com for under $7 and it works great. To answer your question about controlling more than one fan per rheostat; I have 4 fans on two different rheostats, two fans on one and two fans on another. I have also used a fan controller that goes into a pci slot and I have put up to three on one of those. Here's some links.

http://xoxide.com/subl4poblred.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835118217

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811998129

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813999506

 

[-silencer-]

You need to check the rated max Amps per channel. MOST electronic fan controllers are very low in this regard.. like .5A max. Some individual fans use .5A or more each - check the specs on your fans. There's a Sunbeam rheobus that's rated around 20W per channel (1.67A):
http://www.xoxide.com/rheobus4port.html
That'll support the most that I've seen.. as for bay cases, nearly any external CD drive enclosure like this will work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817186102

 

[waylander]

I use the Nexus 305 which controls 2 120mm led fans each rheostat (max 18 watts each) and works fine. They have many different models so you may want to check their website at www.vantecusa.com.