Zalman MFC1 plus issue

kanman · Feb 16, 2008

So i've got this fan controller right, and it connects to fans through a 3 pin jack, all my normal fans work great on it, but i hooked up a couple of fans that i converted from 4 pin molex to 3 pin (actually only 2 wires used, think this might be the issue), all the 4 fans show leds red or blue on the controller according to speed but the two i hooked up are not, i mean they are controlled fine just not showing anything led wise....
this is the connection btw

and the controller

Mhill2029 · Feb 16, 2008

Make sure you haven't got dead LED's. I have exactly the same controller (Silver) and mine work fine.

kanman · Feb 16, 2008

when i connect the other fans to those ports the leds work fine, it's something to do with the wiring i did to get those normal molex fans controlled... i think they'r missing their speed indicator thingy or whatever, as only 2 wires are connected... maybe the third is what indicates the led....

Mhill2029 · Feb 16, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanman

when i connect the other fans to those ports the leds work fine, it's something to do with the wiring i did to get those normal molex fans controlled... i think they'r missing their speed indicator thingy or whatever, as only 2 wires are connected... maybe the third is what indicates the led....

Most likely...

kanman · Feb 16, 2008

now just need to find a way to go around it or just have the lights on all the time somehow

iandroo888 · Feb 16, 2008

hmm. i have too many fans in my comp. was thinkin of buying these. most if not all my fans have a 3-pin and a molex connector. where did you guys buy it and how much?

Arcygenical · Feb 17, 2008

Just wanted to chime in here,

I got the same controller in black, and none of my fans have a third pin. All my wiring is totally custom, and therefore I removed the pins for ease of use.

None of the LED's work...

So, I think it's safe to say that the LED's are controlled by the fan's third pin... Which I think is ridiculous. Not a big deal to me, since all I wanted was the controller, and not the LED's, but still...

Mhill2029 · Feb 17, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcygenical

Just wanted to chime in here,

I got the same controller in black, and none of my fans have a third pin. All my wiring is totally custom, and therefore I removed the pins for ease of use.

None of the LED's work...

So, I think it's safe to say that the LED's are controlled by the fan's third pin... Which I think is ridiculous. Not a big deal to me, since all I wanted was the controller, and not the LED's, but still...

The LED's are indeed controlled by the 3rd pin. Although, most fans are 3pin these days.

Arcygenical · Feb 17, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mhill2029

The LED's are indeed controlled by the 3rd pin. Although, most fans are 3pin these days.

But I don't see how that makes any sense... If the controller limits voltage, I think it would make better sense to check the output of the rheostat circuit, than to check the output of the fan tachometer... Like the Sunbeam controller, which I feel is a better unit all around (just not as good looking/compact).

Sylence · Feb 17, 2008

I also have this controller. I was wondering if there would be any 'easy' mod i could do to hook up my FM-123 control cables (its 2 pin) to it.

kanman · Feb 17, 2008

2 pin? you mean it's a 3 pin jack with just 2 pins used?
can u get a pic of the connector? cause I have a diagram I used to mod my molex connectors.... might help you out...

Arcygenical · Feb 17, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanman

2 pin? you mean it's a 3 pin jack with just 2 pins used?
can u get a pic of the connector? cause I have a diagram I used to mod my molex connectors.... might help you out...

The Silverstone fans have 4 wires, it appears to have a red + black for power, and a yellow + black for the tachometer...

The red + black is a 2 pin connector that, I assume, connects to the built in PCI rheostat...

You should be able to snip it off, and replace it with the red/black on any 3 pin connector, and plug it right in. Although, having the tachometer interface with the controller might require some extra work.

far-cough · Jan 31, 2010

hi guys dont know how old this thread is but i got one of these and the power supply lead is missing can u pls tell me what colours go to whick pins as im going to make a lead just need to know what colour from molex plug goes were on the fan controller's 4 pins power in

cheers in advance

Thedark1337 · Feb 1, 2010

Nice necro, its been 2 years make your own thread

Zalman MFC1 plus issue

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