[mythtv-users] Quiet fans

[Darrin]

On Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 4:01 AM, Peter Loron <peterl at standingwave.org>wrote:

>
> On Oct 17, 2008, at 1:41 PM, Yan Seiner wrote:
>
>
> > That way you could stick the temp sensors inside the raid array and
> > run
> > the fans based on the max temp in the array.
> >
> > (and a LCD showing the temp, usb interface, drivers... :-)  Just
> > kidding
> > on those.)
>
> I've been tinkering with parts and spreadsheets. Looks like my cost
> (in prototype quantities) for a unit that will programmatically
> control 3 fans (via PWM), have 3 thermistors controlling them, and
> have a 2x20 LCD screen, and USB connectivity would be around $26.
>
> A "dumb" controller with direct temp controlled PWM driven fan headers
> and 3 thermistors would be around $13. No microcontroller, no USB, no
> display.
>
> The fancy controller would have some kind of software that would allow
> you to monitor the status of the fans, adjust the speed<-->temp ratio,
> etc. The display would also have some programmability.
>
> Thoughts? How much would *YOU* pay?  :-)
>
> Basically if I can determine there is a market worth my time, I'll see
> what I can do.
>
> -Pete
>

This has been an interesting thread.  I never thought I would be taking on
an electronics project when I started playing with mythtv.

I'm building something similar, but less ambitious.  One temperature sensor
with a simple microcontroller and I'm not really planning to run more than 3
fans (though the circuit could probably support more as long as the power
supply is up to the task).  I want the flexibility to change the programming
of the fan controller,  but that's where my ambitions end.  LCD's and direct
monitoring of status does have a certain geeky attraction, but I don't
really think I would use those features.  If it keeps the computer cool
without being loud, it will be good enough.

For my project, the parts aren't very expensive.  The only thing that's
moderately expensive is getting the circuit board made.  Even then, I would
have to have multiple boards manufactured just to use up the real estate of
a standard board used in pcb manufacturing.  I think the end cost would be
less than $10 each if I went with surface mount parts.

I'll post my results.  I might have the programming/schematic finished in a
week or two depending on my work schedule...
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