Electronics > Beginners
Quick question about making a custom PWM fan cable for Dell PC
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Mp3:
It seems that most or all dell computers use a 5 pin custom connector for fans, but it's easy to wire a 4 pin PWM fan to the Dell connector.

I'm looking to replace all the fans in a Dell with PWM fans and a PWM controller. This controller sends back one 4 pin PWM to the motherboard for control.

The Dell motherboard has two fan connectors i would need to populate to not get a fan error. Is there any reason it wouldn't work if I cut off the  4 pin fan connector and solder the two wires for PWM control to both the motherboard fan connectors?

I wanted to check and see if there was any reason this wouldn't work before i buy anything and cut off any fan connector.

Thank you all!
macboy:

--- Quote from: Mp3 on September 11, 2018, 10:54:34 am ---It seems that most or all dell computers use a 5 pin custom connector for fans, but it's easy to wire a 4 pin PWM fan to the Dell connector.

I'm looking to replace all the fans in a Dell with PWM fans and a PWM controller. This controller sends back one 4 pin PWM to the motherboard for control.

The Dell motherboard has two fan connectors i would need to populate to not get a fan error. Is there any reason it wouldn't work if I cut off the  4 pin fan connector and solder the two wires for PWM control to both the motherboard fan connectors?

I wanted to check and see if there was any reason this wouldn't work before i buy anything and cut off any fan connector.

Thank you all!

--- End quote ---

The only thing you should need to connect back to the second fan connector is the RPM signal. This can be the same signal as sent to the first one, or the signal from another fan. Just as long as the computer thinks the fan is spinning fast enough, you'll be OK.

On a typical 4-pin PWM fan, this is the Pin 3 and should be a green wire. You'll need to map that to the appropriate spot on the Dell connector which I am not familiar with.
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