Addressable rgb to rgb header?

[matthewgarcia92869]

So I just recently bought the Enermax liqfusion cooler and was trying to connect it to the controller that came with my Enermax tb rgb fans, since I didn't wanna use the stupid controller that came with it just to change my lights. I tried to plugging it directly into one of the proprietary headers on the controller, assuming at least the layout of the pins was the same but with 2 extra ones. Not only did this not work but now my fans that were already on the controller only turn on the green led lol. I'm not too upset since I have to buy more Enermax fans to fill the rest of my case which come with a controller but what I wanted to know what I can do to connect the addressable rgb connector from the cooler to my controller since it has non addressable rgb headers on it for strips etc. Also if this controller is salvageable or just a lost cause.

 

[Aeacus]

Why would to connect your AIO 4-pin RGB header to proprietary port on your Enermax RGB control box when Enermax RGB control box also has 2x 4-pin RGB headers, specifically made for 4-pin RGB products, like your AIO?

image source: http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=4&lv1=121&no=384

 

[matthewgarcia92869]

Why would to connect your AIO 4-pin RGB header to proprietary port on your Enermax RGB control box when Enermax RGB control box also has 2x 4-pin RGB headers, specifically made for 4-pin RGB products, like your AIO?

image source: http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=4&lv1=121&no=384

1. Because I'm stupid. But 2. it's not just a normal 4-pin rgb from the aio, it's the addressable variant. The header on the controller is non-addressable rgb

header on left is on controller and connector type from the aio is on the right. They're not interchangeable are they?

 

[Aeacus]

I overlooked that your AIO has +5V RGB header and not +12V RGB header. And sadly, the technologies are different between the two.

On the regular +12V RGB header, all LEDs of a primary color (R, G, B) are chained together and act simultaneously depending on the input signal. This makes individual LED addressing impossible.

On the +5V RGB header, there appears to be a LED driver IC for each RGB LED package that translates the serial information coming in through the data pin into a specific output for that LED package it is attached to. That method makes single LED addressing possible.

Plugging +5V RGB header to +12V RGB header most likely fries the LEDs. And as far as your RGB controller box goes, it seems that you've damaged it beyond salvage.

 

[matthewgarcia92869]

I overlooked that your AIO has +5V RGB header and not +12V RGB header. And sadly, the technologies are different between the two.

On the regular +12V RGB header, all LEDs of a primary color (R, G, B) are chained together and act simultaneously depending on the input signal. This makes individual LED addressing impossible.

On the +5V RGB header, there appears to be a LED driver IC for each RGB LED package that translates the serial information coming in through the data pin into a specific output for that LED package it is attached to. That method makes single LED addressing possible.

Plugging +5V RGB header to +12V RGB header most likely fries the LEDs. And as far as your RGB controller box goes, it seems that you've damaged it beyond salvage.

That's the strange thing, when I connect the aio and it's fans into the crappy controller it came with it seems fine. I would assume the 12v coming from my main controller would fry them but that's not the case, my original fans Led's connected to the proprietary headers are not working properly and most likely fried. Luckily the fans themselves work fine and I'm indifferent about the controller since I'm getting a new one anyway. I guess you answered my question though so thanks. But if you could give me your opinion to the above.

 

[Aeacus]

Your RGB controller box has 8x ports for fans, do fan LEDs also give you issues if you plug the fan(s) into different ports?

Also, without knowing the pinout of the controller's proprietary port, i can't tell why your AIO works in there.

 

[matthewgarcia92869]

Your RGB controller box has 8x ports for fans, do fan LEDs also give you issues if you plug the fan(s) into different ports?

Also, without knowing the pinout of the controller's proprietary port, i can't tell why your AIO works in there.

ya that's a good point. I didn't check all of the fan ports but I tested most of them and it seems like the green led's are seemingly unaffected but I can check them all later. They still look very synced color-wise but when turning off the led's they still give off a dim purple light at all times the computer is on. But I was also wondering if it is possible or not to be able to somehow connect my aio/addressable fans to my main 5v controller using cables/converters somehow, like would connecting my controller to a common controller with the aio work (since there is an rgb input header on my 12v) or is there a simpler, cheaper option because I hate frankensteining things like this together.

 

[mcoleksajr]

Good quality fans with 5v addressable LEDs are unfortunately few and far between that are compatible directly with any motherboard 5v addressable header. Cougar recently came out with a variant of their Vortex fans that are actually really nice and are supposed to be able to be connected directly to the motherboard through an adapter they provide with the purchase of a 3 pack. There is supposed to be a hub involved somehow also, but that apparently can plug into the 5v motherboard header also. There is a review on YouTube by We Do Tech at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wMcXFwh_3c

Another option that I've actually pursued is RGB rings like the Phanteks Halos, but in a 5v addressable version. I found a couple. One made by Silverstone, the FG122 here on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-Technology-SST-FG122-Individual-Addressable/dp/B07C7YL11S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539332033&sr=8-1&keywords=silverstone+fg122

and another made by EZDIY-FAB, again on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/EZDIY-FAB-Wireless-Airflow-Adjustable-Radiators/dp/B07H2Z2FVQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539332144&sr=8-3&keywords=ezdiy-fab&th=1

the nice thing about the last 2 is that you can pair them with any fans that you like. Another option are the Thermaltake Riing Plus and new Riing Trio fans. They are pricy, but you can plug them into Thermaltake's RGB Sync controller and sync them with motherboard software. That TT RGB Sync hub is here on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Addressable-Controller-Compatible-CL-O015-PL00BL/dp/B079FYL6LM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1539332314&sr=8-4&keywords=thermaltake+rgb+sync

I've looked high and low for decent addressable RGB fans that are controlled by Asus Aura Sync and unfortunately all the manufacturers are too concerned with keeping you in their eco system with their hubs and controllers to make more money. I'm not sure what brand motherboard you have, but they probably have a page similar to the one Asus has here to see who makes what that is compatible with your motherboard.

https://www.asus.com/campaign/aura/us/Partners-and-promotions.html#

Chances are if it's compatible with Asus Aura it will be compatible with everyone else's also. Gigabyte is the exception, but all you need is a converter that changes the 5v/D/-/G to just 5v/D/G (Gigabyte's headers eliminated the "blank" pin on their 5v headers to avoid people doing exactly what you did and fry their 5v LEDs by plugging them into a 12v header). Anyway, happy hunting. The Liqtech cooler is supposed to be really nice. Deepcool has a RGB version of a 240 and 360. Cooler Master has a couple of AIOs and so does Thermaltake.