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10-30-2001, 03:50 PM

This would most likely have a setup where the software would query the board every 2-20 seconds, and if the board sees no activity on SMBus for 30 seconds it forces all fans full on. Alternatively the temperature sensor may be able to trigger the force function on an overtemp. This MAY be doable with little extra cost, still investigating.

With any luck the included software will run as a service so on nt/2k machines the software will be automatically restarted should it crash. Not that that would ever happen

The control system I'm looking at right now would have pulse-modulation controllers with a 8 bit setting, so there would be 256 power states. This means that instead of doing 12v, 5v, 7v etc. it would only take 12v but pulse it on and off really fast to give the required fanspeed. The pulsing would go fast enough so as not to be audible to the user. These controllers could take up to 3000mA or 3A so you could plug several standard or 2-3 high power fans into each. Also since it uses pulse modulation instead of linear regulators, the controllers themselves would generate very little heat.

I am also looking into some 'stupid' ideas that might make it more fun. Would you guys be interested in any of the following for a few bucks more:?

LED connectors that would light up LEDs based on fan activity, thermistor temp, etc. (this would be controlled by software)

Reset passthrough that would automatically force the fans when you hit RESET on your box, as well as independent force button

Additional power controllers that would blink neon, leds, etc should temp exceed limits (probably software controlled)

Overtemp Redundancy in Hardware (not software). This would on a high temperature reading force all fans on full, hold down RESET (see above), or with a power button passthru would turn off the computer.

Settable Addressing: Would with a SMBus passthrough and some jumpers allow you to have more than one unit per SMBus port. This would only apply if the unit you buy has less than the full 18 fans. Advantage here is if you want to save some cash and buy a small one, you can buy another small one later instead of buying a large one and having a useless small one.

Also what would you like to see in the box?

Minimal: you get a traced PCB a bag of components and a CD. Wires sold separately, assemble yourself.

Small: Fully assembled PCB, install CD.

Medium: Fully assembled PCB, CD, and all wires required for setup

Mounted: Fully assembled PCB, CD, drive bay mounting kit

Mounted and Wired: Fully assembled PCB, CD, drive bay kit and all wires

The Full Shebang: Fully assembled PCB, CD, Drive Bay Kit with LCD in front and all wires

Obviously some of these would cost more to produce than others. One thing I'm considering is leaving the CD out all together and just having a download. (the software would be downloadable anyway). This saves either the cost of getting it stamped or the time of burning them.

I am looking for your input on this, because if I do anything larger than a few prototypes on breadboards it will be you that will (hopefully) be buying it. I personally like buying things that do everything I want them to do, not most of what I want them to do (*cough*DigiDoc5*cough*). If I take this into some kind of production, I want it to be everything you guys want it to be.

Also, really dumb question, what would you name this project? Digibus is non-descriptive and besides the domain digibus.com is taken. It should be at least a little descriptive, easy to remember and not something that would discourage a hardcore overclocker.

Thanks!

10-30-2001, 03:50 PM	#5
IronHelix Guest Posts: n/a	This would most likely have a setup where the software would query the board every 2-20 seconds, and if the board sees no activity on SMBus for 30 seconds it forces all fans full on. Alternatively the temperature sensor may be able to trigger the force function on an overtemp. This MAY be doable with little extra cost, still investigating. With any luck the included software will run as a service so on nt/2k machines the software will be automatically restarted should it crash. Not that that would ever happen The control system I'm looking at right now would have pulse-modulation controllers with a 8 bit setting, so there would be 256 power states. This means that instead of doing 12v, 5v, 7v etc. it would only take 12v but pulse it on and off really fast to give the required fanspeed. The pulsing would go fast enough so as not to be audible to the user. These controllers could take up to 3000mA or 3A so you could plug several standard or 2-3 high power fans into each. Also since it uses pulse modulation instead of linear regulators, the controllers themselves would generate very little heat. I am also looking into some 'stupid' ideas that might make it more fun. Would you guys be interested in any of the following for a few bucks more:? LED connectors that would light up LEDs based on fan activity, thermistor temp, etc. (this would be controlled by software) Reset passthrough that would automatically force the fans when you hit RESET on your box, as well as independent force button Additional power controllers that would blink neon, leds, etc should temp exceed limits (probably software controlled) Overtemp Redundancy in Hardware (not software). This would on a high temperature reading force all fans on full, hold down RESET (see above), or with a power button passthru would turn off the computer. Settable Addressing: Would with a SMBus passthrough and some jumpers allow you to have more than one unit per SMBus port. This would only apply if the unit you buy has less than the full 18 fans. Advantage here is if you want to save some cash and buy a small one, you can buy another small one later instead of buying a large one and having a useless small one. Also what would you like to see in the box? Minimal: you get a traced PCB a bag of components and a CD. Wires sold separately, assemble yourself. Small: Fully assembled PCB, install CD. Medium: Fully assembled PCB, CD, and all wires required for setup Mounted: Fully assembled PCB, CD, drive bay mounting kit Mounted and Wired: Fully assembled PCB, CD, drive bay kit and all wires The Full Shebang: Fully assembled PCB, CD, Drive Bay Kit with LCD in front and all wires Obviously some of these would cost more to produce than others. One thing I'm considering is leaving the CD out all together and just having a download. (the software would be downloadable anyway). This saves either the cost of getting it stamped or the time of burning them. I am looking for your input on this, because if I do anything larger than a few prototypes on breadboards it will be you that will (hopefully) be buying it. I personally like buying things that do everything I want them to do, not most of what I want them to do (coughDigiDoc5cough). If I take this into some kind of production, I want it to be everything you guys want it to be. Also, really dumb question, what would you name this project? Digibus is non-descriptive and besides the domain digibus.com is taken. It should be at least a little descriptive, easy to remember and not something that would discourage a hardcore overclocker. Thanks!