Components and Design (Cont’d)

Real Time Power Monitoring

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 30

 

The ZM-MFC2 uses an outboard Current/Voltage Sensor (CVS) module to measure the AC power used by the PC.  The CVS module connects in between the PC’s main power cord and the PC’s power supply.

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 31

 

(Courtesy Zalman USA – modified)

 

The signal cable from the CVS module plugs into a PCI slot bracket connector that has an extension cable that plugs into the back of the ZM-MFC2.  Zalman chose to use a standard USB connector, which is a very poor choice in my opinion.  This creates the possibility for plugging the CVS signal connector into a standard USB port, which will most likely result in damaging both the motherboard’s USB port and CVS module.

 

Note: DO NOT plug the CVS signal cable connector into a standard USB port!

 

Temperature Probes

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 32

 

The ZM-MFC2 comes with four temperature probes.  The cables are color coded and terminated onto a single row connector for easy installation.  The temperature range for the ZM-MFC2 is advertised as measuring from -9°C to 99°C, which is very good and should meet the needs of most avid PC enthusiasts, even if you are using some form of active cooling to get temperatures down below ambient (or below freezing 🙂  Surprisingly, the temperature display only reads out in °C and can not be switched to read in °F.

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 33

 

The temperature probes are thin so attaching them to flat surfaces should be relatively easy with the included thermal tape.  The actual placement is left up to each end user but one basic scenario might be:

  • CPU temperature
  • GPU temperature
  • HDD temperature
  • Internal case air temperature

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 34

 

(Courtesy Zalman USA – modified)

 

Fan Speed Control and Extension Cables

 

The Zalman ZM-MFC2 incorporates four separate channels for controlling and monitoring fan speed.  The first three channels control fan speed by adjusting the DC voltage supplied to the connected fans.  Channel #4 uses PWM (pulse width modulation) for speed control and comes fitted with the necessary 4-pin fan connector and extension cable.

 

I was rather surprised (and a little disappointed) to discover that the fan speed control can not be linked to and automatically controlled by the four temperature probes (like the DigiDoc5 has done for years).  The fan speed for each channel is manually set and stays there until changed by the user.  An audible alarm will sound if any connected fan stops turning.  This feature can be easily disabled for any unused fan channel.

 

Zalman ZM-MFC2 Multi Fan Controller and Power Meter Review - Cases and Cooling 35

 

One of the 3-pin fan extension cables has two connectors on one end so that two fans can be connected to one channel.  The white connector incorporates a speed sense signal wire while the blue connector does not.  (When two fans are connected in parallel, only one of them can send the speed signal.) 

 

Note: Make sure the combined maximum current for both fans does not exceed the 0.7A (8.4W) per channel limit or you may permanently damage the fan speed control circuit.

 

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