Details
The Alphacool ES Guardian 4Port Powerfan Hub is a fan hub for server and industrial fans. It connects 4 fans via 4-pin PWM, takes its power directly from the power supply unit over 4-pin Molex and passes the speed signal on to the mainboard.
Properties
- Fans
- 4x 4-pin PWM
- Power supply
- 2x 4-pin Molex, 12V DC
- Current
- 12A continuous, 16A maximum at 12V
- Mainboard
- 1x 4-pin PWM
- Other connections
- 2x 4-pin CAN-Bus, 1x speaker
- Size (L x W x H)
- 120 x 38 x 18 mm
Why a hub
Due to their special requirements, server and industrial fans have an enormously high power consumption. The existing connections on standard mainboards cannot provide the power needed. For this reason they can usually only be connected directly to the power supply unit. The problem with that: the function of the fans cannot be checked, monitored or controlled via the mainboard. Therefore Alphacool offers this hub, which it calls the ideal server solution for industrial fans.
How does it work?
The hub can be placed anywhere in the case using M3x4mm screws and M3x6mm spacers (see the mounting example in the manual). The manual gives the spacers an external hexagon with a width of 5.5. The included power cable connects the hub directly to the power supply. An additional power connector is provided in case the fans used require more than 1.5A (18W) per fan. The hub offers the option to connect 4 fans via 4-pin PWM. Finally, it has to be connected to the mainboard, again via 4-pin PWM. Once these steps are done, all 4 fans can be monitored and their speeds can be read out.
Stand-alone operation
A 4-way DIP switch on the Powerfan Hub allows you to activate or deactivate the monitoring of the fans individually. The first active fan supplies the speed signal (RPM), which is passed to the mainboard via the 4-pin PWM connector. No RPM signal is forwarded if a monitored fan is defective. An error message can then be issued, if the mainboard supports the corresponding function.
Full control
A speaker port on the hub can be used to connect a piezo buzzer or a standard PC speaker. In the event of a fan failure, an audible warning signal can also be issued this way. Control LEDs on the fan connectors allow visual monitoring as well.
CAN-Bus connection
Using the Can connections adds more functionality:
- each fan can be controlled separately
- Temperature and humidity can be read in real time
- Display temperature control and temperature zones
- operating hours counter
- the control curve for each fan can be saved as a preset, for later stand-alone operation
This additional functionality is however bound to the use of a corresponding CAN-Bus Controller from Alphacool and the associated software. Alphacool's page marks that controller as available soon.
Technical data
| L x W x H | 120 x 38 x 18 mm |
| Power supply (connection) | 2x 4-pin Molex connection via power supply unit |
| Supply voltage | 12V DC |
| Continuous current | 12A at 12V |
| Maximum current at 12V | 16A |
| Connection options | 4x 4-pin PWM fan | 1x 4-pin PWM mainboard | 2x 4-pin CAN-Bus | 1x speaker |
| Type power supply cable | 4-pin Molex/LUMBERG 1614_20 |
| Length power supply cable | 110 mm |
| Type mainboard cable | 4-Pin PWM |
| Length mainboard cable | 400 mm |
| Control Monitoring | DIP switch (4-way on/off) |
In the box
- 1x ES Guardian 4Port Powerfan Hub
- 1x Mainboard connection cable
- 1x Power - connection cable
- 10x M3x4mm screws
- 5x M3x6mm spacer
Alphacool's Manual and Datasheet (EN) are both PDFs. Its 3D model of the hub is an STP file, and the 3D viewer shows it from every side.
