Fan Header - Suggested models?

[BlakeD]

Just purchased a Robo-tank controller (Rev-B).  Looking the board and case over, there's an obvious fan mount in the case, and there's a fan header beside the DC Ports RJ-45.  Is there a recommended fan for this?  Because it seems like it'll require a VERY, VERY thin fan... Maybe 55mm with 4.5mm maybe 5mm depth?

[Rob F]

Hi Blake, the lid is setup for a 50mm x 50mm x 10mm fan, it mounts on the outside of the case. Here's a link to a fan with screws, there are many others but most don't come with screws.

https://amzn.to/42kKyC1

Whatever fan you get verify the red wire goes to the + side of the fan plug, some of these fans are wired backwards. If that is the case you can still force it in backwards.

The fan port you see on the main controller is controllable so you need to set it up in reef-pi, this is the steps.

• Go to the "configuration" tab and then the "connectors" sub-tab.
  
• Scroll down till you get to the "Jacks" section.
  
• Add a new "Jack" using driver "Extra ports" and pin "5" and save it.
  
• Then go to the "admin" sub-tab and press the "reload" button.
  
• Now go to the lights tab and add a new light mode using the connector you just created and save it.
  
• Then click the "Auto" or "Manual" button to put it in manual mode, at this point you'll have a single slider that you can use to adjust the speed.
  

[Kent]

Hi Rob. Is there anyway to use the fan header with the robo-tank app or is it only possible with reef pi? Thanks

[Rob F]

Hi Kent, yeah you can use the fan header with the Robo-Tank app. If you go to "settings" and "configure ports" screen, then click the "advanced" option at the top. Now scroll down to the bottom PCA9685 section. Edit GPIO 5, it should be hard named as "Internal Fan". Enable it and then you can select the function you want to use it with. If you just want on/off you can select DC port or you can select light and setup similar to reef-pi. If you setup as DC port you can use a temp sensor and custom rules to turn on/off (some day speed control).

[Kent]

Hi Rob. I must have been sleep deprived as i found it the next day pretty easily. Thanks for the reply

[Rob F]

Right on, glad you got it sorted, another one day that'll be clearer. :)