I want to put some devices like NVR, modem, router, et cetera in a closet.
I’m having an electrician install a 240v AC power socket in the closet.
I’d like to cut a hole in the top of the closet through to the ceiling cavity for an exhaust fan.
I’m hoping to decommission my home server so I’d like to avoid having to run exhaust fans from a computer / PC power supply.
With all that in mind, I’m looking for one or more devices that will allow me to run two PWM case fans with thermostat from 240v.
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If I remember correctly (you’d better googel it to be sure), PWM case fans use a steady 12V supply, plus a pwm signal.
I’d buy an ESP, connect a temperature sensor, put the Tasmota firmware on it and be fine. The programming is a one liner then (in that weird tasmota rules language).
If it turns out that the fan needs a pwm “chopped” 12V supply instead, then you need to add a MOSFET and 2 resistors to create that.
P.S. that module from the other comment is better.
If you don’t mind playing around with a Raspberry Pi and a few jumper cable, have a look at my repo. Half a year ago, I built a fan controller to regulate temperature and air flow in my server cabinet with 5V PWM fans. It is not finished and rough but it works. After moving in a few months, I will have the time to work more on it.
If you have questions, feel free to DM me :)
https://acinfinity.com/closet-room-fan-systems/
They have a lot of products, including other fans and thermostats. I’ve had their media cabinet fans running 24/7 for 4-5 years now with no problems. Highly recommend it.
Otherwise you could use something like this and a standard 12v power adapter https://www.tindie.com/products/mmm999/dc-12v-four-wire-thermostat-pwm-pc-cpu-fan/
perfect!
acinfinity is probably overkill for me but honestly very tempting.
I did see that thermostat pwm board on amazon. When you say a “standard 12v power adapter” do you mean as in… like a transformer plug with 12v output and the right amperage?
Yup that’s exactly correct. I will say one of the benefits of the AC finity is the alarm. If the temp gets too high it beeps to let you know
There are case fans with a temperature sensor. They already control the speed themselves depending on the measurement. The only thing they need is 12V.
For example the Arctic F12 TC.
oh man. This is perfect. Thankyou.
I was actually looking at these on amazon but I mistakenly thought that the term “temperature controlled” included in the product name was just SEO bullshit, referring to the mobo controlling the temperature.
I see now that these ones do it themselves.
This is the way.
If you mean running the fans in 240vAC, Comair Rotron make fantastic fans for this voltage. If you mean a regulator circuit and any old 12vDC fan, sorry for misunderstanding.
I’m open to whatever solutions might be available, and these guys look like they make awesome fans, but I think I need something much less awesome and more integrated.
Basically, I just need a 120mm PC fan, supply it with the right voltage, and thermostat.
In that case, I’d probably be thinking of a standard power supply with molex output (they make bricks like this) for a 5.25" fan controller that ties in thermistors on the control side of the equation. I know that’s not the typical, “I just use a raspberry pi and…” answer we’re used to here, so take mine with a grain of salt.
I bought this one, but I and then an extra standalone fan, to have neutral pressure in my network closet, and it has never gone above 30 Celsius.
AC Infinity AIRPLATE T7, Quiet Cooling Fan System 12" with Thermostat Control, for Home Theater AV Cabinets https://a.co/d/0jgj41Ie
Nice. These look great.
Do you know if it will turn off entirely if the temp is low enough? Or they just idle away at 300rpm or so.
I live in a Caribbean island, therefore, mine are always at full throttle 🤣.
It has 2 variable modes:
Smart: varies RPMs based of temperature.
Auto: Off, and turn on based on your settings on at what temp you want them to start spinning, then they go to top RPM.
