[SOLVED] PWM to Molex - How did Supermicro do that?

[Jasis]

Hello. Recently I saw a Supermicro 60-bay JBOD (https://www.supermicro.com/en/products/chassis/4U/946/SC946SE1C-R1K66JBOD ). There are 5 powerful 14.4k rear fans. The fan mode is FAN-0184L4. Those hot-swap fans are connected with Molex, but I can check RPMs in IPMI interface. I searched some old posts on this forum and other forums. People say it is not possible to convert a 4-pin PWM to Molex because the circuit is differnet, but apparently someone did it. So how did they do that?

 

[jay32267]

"People say it is not possible to convert a 4-pin PWM to Molex because the circuit is differnet "

This is not true.

You can convert a 4 pin PWM fan to a 4 pin molex connector.

 

[rubix_1011]

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...words=molex+to+pwm+cpu&qid=1589476601&sr=8-19

Like this? These have been around for years.

 

[kanewolf]

They can use a molex plug FORM FACTOR for any 4 pins they desire. It is a proprietary use. They probably chose it because it was cheap and had modular mounting for the metal they used to mount the fan.

 

[Jasis]

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matter...words=molex+to+pwm+cpu&qid=1589476601&sr=8-19

Like this? These have been around for years.

No. If you check the second photo, there are 4 pins in the molex, so the molex here is not only to provide power, but transfer the info of PWM as well.

 

[USAFRet]

People say it is not possible to convert a 4-pin PWM to Molex because the circuit is differnet, but apparently someone did it. So how did they do that?

In this, the "MOLEX" is simply the size and shape of the plastic connectors. You can use the wires for whatever you wish.

What people are saying no to is using the MOLEX from a standard PSU, and trying to power something else.
They are correct in saying NO.