Details
The Aquacomputer Poweradjust 3 USB | Ultra Version (53167) is a single channel fan or pump controller for one 12 Volt DC device of up to 30 Watts, with USB, two aquabus connectors and aquasuite. It also works as an aquabus expansion device under an aquaero 5 or aquaero 6 unit.
Properties
- Channels
- 1 power output for a fan or pump, DC 0 to 12 V, no PWM
- Output power
- 30 W, 36 W with optional passive heat sink, peaks up to 54 W
- Connections
- temperature sensor input, flow sensor input, speed signal output
- Interface
- USB, two aquabus connectors
- Supply
- 12 V from a PC power supply plug
- Size
- 47 x 41 x 36 mm
Power for pumps and fans
Aquacomputer calls the poweradjust 3 versatile, mainly designed for Laing DDC and D5 pumps as well as powerful fans. It is capable of controlling a variety of devices with up to 30 Watts, or up to 36 Watts with the optional passive heat sink. One ultra version unit is enough, for example, for temperature dependent control of nine airstream fans on an airplex evo 1080 radiator.
To accommodate the high start-up currents caused by pumps and fans, short term peak loads may reach 54 Watts. A programmable start burst helps ensure pumps get enough power during start-up. Thanks to continuous speed signal checking, the start burst is triggered again (start burst repetition) upon a speed signal failure or when a missing flow signal is detected. The output is DC, no PWM, and runs at fixed power or fixed speed settings; the ultra version additionally offers temperature control.
What changed from the poweradjust 2
Compared to the poweradjust 2 predecessor, the connectivity options are the same: a power output with speed signal input, the USB interface for PC communication, temperature and flow sensor inputs and a speed signal output. The aquabus interface again connects it to an aquaero 5 or aquaero 6. The main new feature is a power output design in switching power supply technology, greatly improving efficiency and thereby reducing the waste heat of the unit.
Standard and ultra version
The standard version offers the manual control option. In addition, the ultra version devices can use the external temperature sensor input for output power regulation, which is the only difference between standard and ultra version. These temperature control options are mainly derived from the aquastream XT series and can be adjusted to personal needs. If no sensor is connected, or the target is exceeded by approximately 10 °C, the output goes to 100 %.
Protection and alarms
The controller features electronics temperature monitoring to avoid damage to itself. Above approximately 80 °C the output is set to 100 % to minimize power dissipation, and at approximately 100 °C it is switched off. Various configurable alarm settings regarding temperature, flow and speed signal help prevent damage to your PC due to component failures or inadequate cooling.
The speed signal output can forward the fan/pump speed signal or act as a generic speed signal for alarm forwarding. On the CPU fan header, through the supplied cable, it can trigger an emergency shutdown or an acoustic alarm, depending on the BIOS. Configured as "Power switch", it can also connect to the motherboard's power switch header with the alarm header to power switch header cable (53217), which is not included.
aquabus expansion device
Through either of its two aquabus connectors and the included aquabus/speed signal cable, the controller connects to an aquaero such as the aquaero 6 LT or aquaero 6 PRO. USB and aquabus can be used at the same time, and aquabus data is processed with higher priority.
What you need to connect it
A power plug from your PC's power supply unit feeds the board, and the included cable connects a Laing DDC pump; a spare is the connection cable for Laing D5 and DDC Pumps (53053). The USB cable goes to an internal USB header of the motherboard. Temperature sensor, flow sensor and the flow sensor cable are not included; the sensors that fit are listed below. Comfortable software for configuration and monitoring is fully integrated into aquasuite, though settings saved into the device's memory run without it.
Compatibility
Aquacomputer lists these devices for the aquabus, flow sensor and temperature sensor connectors:
- aquaero 6 XT (53146, 53206, 53250, 53251, 53262, 53263)
- aquaero 6 PRO (53145, 53253)
- aquaero 6 LT (53234)
- aquaero 5 XT (53089, 53125, 53249)
- aquaero 5 PRO (53090, 53252)
- aquaero 5 LT (53095)
- Flow sensor with 5.6 mm nozzle (53061, requires cable 53027)
- Flow sensor "high flow" (53068, requires cable 53027)
- Flow sensor high flow LT (53291)
- Flow sensor high flow 2 (53292)
- Temperature sensor inline G1/4 (53066)
- Temperature sensor inner/outer thread G1/4 (53067)
- Temperature sensor G1/4 (53147)
- Temperature sensor plug&cool (53025)
- Temperature sensor 70 cm (53026)
aquasuite software
Activating the controller gives you the current aquasuite version with an upgrade service for at least six (6) months. After it expires, you may keep using and reinstalling the latest version from that period with no time limit. The update service can be extended or renewed at any time for a fee, and installation and activation need an internet connection.
Technical details
| Dimensions W x H x D | 47 mm x 41 mm x 36 mm |
| Power supply voltage | 12 V DC (±5 %) |
| Power supply current | max. 5.0 A |
| Fan output voltage | 0 to 12 V |
| Fan output current | max. 3 A at 12 V, short-term load 4.5 A |
| Fan output continuous power | max. 36 W at 12 V |
| Speed signal connector | "open collector" max. 30 V / 100 mA |
| Ambient temperature range | 10 to 40 °C (noncondensing) |
Notes
- The power output is not short-circuit proof, despite the over temperature protection.
- Without the heat sink the output carries 2.5 A (30 Watts); 3.0 A (36 Watts) needs the optional heat sink, which is not included.
- Turn off the power supply before connecting or disconnecting any cable.
In the box
- 1x poweradjust 3 USB board
- 1x Connection cable for Laing DDC pumps
- 1x 70 cm Internal USB Cable (5pin)
- 1x Speed signal cable
- 4x screws M3 x 4 mm
- 1x Manual
The manual for the poweradjust 3 USB covers the connectors with their pin assignments and every aquasuite setting of the controller.
