Possible? Running a Corsair h100i watercooler without a computer ?

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stoppi

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Mar 28, 2014
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Hello!

This is my first thread here on tom's Hardware. I'm an austrian (europe) teacher for physics and constantly looking for new projects. One year ago I built a cloud chamber to make radiation visible. To cool down the camber to -30°C I used two peltier elements and a cpu-cooler with heatpipes (Link: http://forum.mosfetkiller.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20597)

To reach a lower temperature I bought a corsair h100i water cooler. I want to run the cooler without any Computer, just with a power supply.

Here you can see the two important plugs: http://www.custompcreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/corsair-h100i-cpu-cooler-custom-pc-review-7.jpg

Therefore I connected the SATA-plug (with 2 cables) to +12V and Ground of my PSU. The two 120mm fans are connected directly to one of the two 8-pin-sockets on the side of the h100i.
When I Switch on the PSU the fans and the pump are going to run, unfortunately just for 10 seconds. Then the fans slow extremely down and just the pump is continue working.
The 3pin-plug of the h100i (with just one cable) isn't used at the time. This is just a Feedback for the Motherboard, so an Output and not an Input isn't it?

I've read that the h100i can be used just with the SATA plugged in. But in my case the fans slow down.
This would not be a great Problem because I could connect the fans to an external PSU too.

Therefore I have some questions to the professionals:

* Why are the fans slowing down? I think because of the lack of a feedback ;-) But how can I give the h100i a Feedback with the usb-cable not plugged in and with the 3-pin-plug as an Output-cable?

* Do I have to connect the 3-pin-plug (with just one cable) to anywhere?

* How can be the power of the h100i-cooling be changed? Just by changing the speed of the fans and/or the Speed of the pump-motor? I hope just by changing the fans because than I'd connect the fans to an external PSU and my System is working at full Speed as desired.

* If the Speed of the pump-Motor could be changed how does it work (maybe PWM)?

I hope somebody could help me. Thank's a lot for your efforts, cheers Christoph ;-)

 
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stoppi

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Mar 28, 2014
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Hello swegname!

Thank's for your answer. I would be very happy if the pump Speed couldn't be changed. Because then as you say I just have to connect the fans to an external power supply with the Pins 3 and 4 not connected and they'll run at Maximum.

But do you have any idea, why the fans slow down after 10 seconds?
 
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swegname

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I don't know how to answer your question. But my computer does the same thing. H100i fans go maximum for a few seconds to ten seconds. Maybe because simply its a pwm fan. 4 pin. I think if you use 3 pin, it'll stay at Max speed unless you change speed with a fan controller or software. But eh, are you connecting the fans to PSU or the cooling block?
 
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stoppi

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Mar 28, 2014
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Hi swegname once again!

I've connected the two fans to the cooling block. So I'll connect them to an external PSU with Maximum Speed (just Power and ground Pins used) to avoid any control from the h100i. Thank's for your help, cheers stoppi
 
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Vic 40

Vic 40

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It is probably because there's no temp registered and Connecting them to the psu directly for 100% movement will solve that indeed.You could use a 3pin-> molex connector for that.

Be quiet has psu's that can controll the speed of fans as well like the "power zone's" and these will controll the fanspeed on it's own internal temp.
 
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Deuce65

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The way you have it connected, everything is getting it's direction from the pump (which, since it isn't hooked up to anything hot, is quite cool). The fans are getting regulated down. The pump itself has no signal on the PWM line so it runs at full speed.
If you want everything to run at full speed, connect the pump like you did (with no PWM signal it will run at full speed). Connect the fans directly to the PSU, not to the pump. Ignore the USB entirely.
If you need to adjust the speed of the fans best way to do it is via voltage regulation. Either pick up a really cheap fan controller, or make your own voltage regulator (easiest way is with a potentiometer). You can actually make your own PWM controller for the pump too, if you really want to, or just use the same voltage control method on that too. Please note that doing it that way may generate quite a bit of heat and probably isn't that good for the pump.

Edited to add: If you don't mind spending some money, get a decent fan controller with at least 30 watts per channel and you can control everything with that.
 
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Robert76

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Hi Stoppi,

I found your question through Google and created an account just to ask you how you solved the work around controlling the cooler without a computer? I am going to test fuses by cycling them up and down in temp where this H100i comes in.

best regards
Robert
 
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