Aqua Computer Water High Flow Sensor / Meter

Welcome to my review of the Aqua Computer’s Flow Meter. While I have typically relied on my King Instruments analog flow meters for most of my test purposes, trying to fit a 14″ tall flow meter into your case isn’t very practical. For computers we need something smaller in size that can send an electronic signal to be processed digitally. Aqua Computers has taken a popular and high quality Digmesa sensor and fabricated a new water cooling specific housing and flow chamber for it.  We all like our G1/4 fittings and like a clean look which is the transformation that was done.

I would like to thank Shoggy from Aqua Computer for this review sample that was included for Aquaero review, thanks!

Benefits

While flow meters are not a necessary part of a water cooling loop, and they do add restriction, they also provide some information that can be used in a few different ways:

Clean Health Indicator – The tubes and blocks in your system are like veins and arteries in your body and can plug due to a variety of reasons.  Plasticizers, flux, corrosion, and sedimentation of chemicals or some dyes can all be contributing chloresteral if you will.  If you plan to keep the same loop operational for longer than 3-6 months, a precision flow meter can be a great piece of before and after information on yoru system and give you that indication that all is well without tearing everything down.  Consider it a blood pressure cuff for your water cooling system.

Emergency Shut Down – In the event that a pump fails to start, quit, or begin failing..a flow meter is one way to monitor that and shut down a system due to flow rates being too low.  I have seen at least one DDC pump loose part of it’s circuitry yet it still operated.

Complex Pump Setups & Parallel Loops – I have seen people connect up bay reservoirs incorrectly with two pumps in series such that only one was actually doing work.  Both pumps were moving and water was moving in the reservoir, but they had no idea that allowing the reservoirs to be shared essentially eliminated all work by the first pump(no pressure differential).  People are also beginning to experiment with parallel loop systems which can be an advantage but much more tricky to design properly when most parts out there don’t include basic restriction pressure drop info.  While not likely, it is possible to build a parallel system that could be a pretty bad idea if the restriction levels are too unbalance.  In parallel it is also possible to completely block one path of flow and not know it. Flow meters would again provide confirmation that things are operating as intended and continue that way.

Testing/Tinkering – This is of coarse why I like them.  While flow rate effects are generally small, I consider it taboo to test or review something thermally without also comparing restriction in some form or another.  Even if it’s not for comparison and just for information, a meter completes the package of information that is easily collected for the end user to have and think about.

I have used flow meters in the past for most of my testing work and have also used them for a couple of long term loops that I ran for over two years without cleaning, so I also see the health indicator being a value for me as I typically do like to push maintenance intervals to their maximum and generally only tear things down when upgrading.

Specification:

• Digmesa Impeller & Sensor
• Flow rate range: 0.67-10 l/min (LPM) / 0.18 – 2.64 GPM
• Tolerance ± 2.0%
• Poll value: 169 impulses per liter (Small ID Fittings)
• Supply voltage: DC 5V 5-13 mA
• Input-output threads: G 1/4 BSP nozzles
• Materials used: plastic, stainless steel
• Internals Accessible For Cleaning
• Large 3 pin connector (larger than normal fan connector)

The specifications look promising in both flow rate sensitivity as well as voltage since an ordinary PC power supply also has 5VDC.

Plug and Play Compatibility:

If you just want to plug in the unit and have speed data converted to flow values, using an AC cable and one of the following will do that for you:

• aquaero 5 XT / PRO / LT
• aquaero 4.00 USB Fan-Controller
• aquaero LT 4.00 USB Fan-Controller
• aquaero 3.07 USB Fan-Controller
• aquaero LT 3.07 USB Fan-Controller
• poweradjust USB
• poweradjust USB Version LT
• aquastream XT USB Ultra-Version
• aquaduct 240 Pro mark III
• aquaduct 360 eco+

Both specifications and compatibility are good. We’ll take a closer look at the package you get next.

Aquacomputer Aquaero 5 XT Preview & Guide

Welcome to my review of the Aquaero 5 XT controller. While there are many manual fan controllers out there and some software controlled options, few take the features and control as far as the Aquaero 5.  This is not the first iteration of the aquaero, it’s been many years in development through previous generations, so quite a history(since 2004) behind it.  While I have done some testing on the aquastream XT here, this is my first look at a controller as advanced as the aquaero XT 5 and it is without a doubt the most feature rich and most highly configurable controller out there.  Calling it a fan controller really doesn’t do the product justice as it is so much more and really acts as a mini computer to monitor and control your entire computer cooling system.

Before getting started, I’d like to thank Shoggy from Aqua-comuter.de for supplying this review sample. Thanks!

The product I’m reviewing is the top model aquaero XT with IR remote as you see above but there are several model options and many accessories to chose from that I’ll go into later.

GENERAL CONCEPT

Aqua-computers called it the “Aquaero” because it serves to integrate controls for and between water and air and I think that pretty fitting.While it does control fans,  it also does much more to act as the brains and control behind both a normal PC and also HTPC with all the IR connection features and ability to control other IR devices through the Aquaero 5. I basically gives you the ability to monitor, adjust, and dynamically control pretty much anything air, water, and light related.  Since I’m a visual person, I created this simplified diagram to show the various communications that may occur depending on the setup.

A big part of my intent of this guide/review is to emphasize on the “Guide” portion by learning how to use the controller and sharing what I’ve learned.

FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

General

• Processor – 32bit, 48MHz with Watchdog functions
• Flash Memory (140,000)
• 148mm wide x 42mm tall x 62mm deep
• Built programmable buzzer for alarm and key notes
• Standby power via USB or 5V standby connector
• Automatically determines which sensors are present and lists in menus
• Automatically adjusts menus to custom renamed sensor values

LCD (XT and Pro models)

• Backlight LCD
• 256 x 64 resolution, 20 fps
• Black and white (reversible & adjustible)
• Configure menus and up to 32 customizable information pages (scrolling)

Communication/Navigation

• Native USB 2.0 Interface to PC (no need for special drivers)
• 1x aquabus low speed interface  (multiswitch or tubemeter)
• 1x aquabus high speed interface (aquastream xt or poweradjust 2)
• Universal infrared receiver (Pro or XT models)
• Device buttons – XT=3 capacitive navigation, 4 menu/programmable, Pro=3 mechanical navigation, LT-none
• Remote Control “Aquaremote” (XT included) optional for “Pro”
• External IR transmitter output expandable to control other devices
• Remote control may also be switch to control the computer (minimal mouse/keyboard control)

Fan Channel Output

• 4x dedicated fan channels (expandable to 10 via up to 6ea poweradjusts)
• PWM free analog DC voltage to prevent noise capable
• Channel #2 may be converted to flow sensor
• Channel #4 may be used to control 4 pin PWM fans/pumps
• Max Current @12V= 1.65A/channel, max total 5A (Heat Limited)
• Min & Max Power Setting
• Min & Max RPM Setting
• Startboost functions (Improves low speed startup)
• Programmable Fuse function (1000mA)
• Fan channels could also be used to feed pumps withing current limits.

Other Channel Outputs

• 1X 3 pin Relay – 12V, 1A may be used for emergency shut down or other uses
• 2x 2 pin PWM – 12V, 1A modulated at 15 kHz.  May be used for lighting.
• 1X RGB-LED 4 pin output – up to three single color LEDs or one RGB module. 20mA, 3-4V.  Resistor built in AQ5.
• 1X “Tacho” signal generator for Alarm functions to motherboard.

Temperature sensors external

• 8x analog sensors ports (expandable to 40) 10kOhm NTC
• 4x sofware sensors
• 4x virtual sensors (Min, Mas, Delta, Abs. Delta)
• Renaming of sensors
• Calibration of analog sensors by offset

Temperature sensors internal (built in)

• 1x aquaero cpu sensor
• 4x fan amp sensors

Flow sensors external

• 1x dedicated port
• 2x ports if using fan port #2 as flow sensor
• Default calibration values for AC sensor
• Custom calibration in pulses per liter in 1 pulse increments

Monitoring

• Fans – RPM, %, Voltage, Current
• Temperature Sensors –  Degrees C/F/K
• AquastreamXT Pump – Speed in Hz, Current, RPM, Voltage
• Fill Level
• Power Consumption using flow rate and temperature differential values
• Logging and programmable charting functions

Controls

• May program controls of Fans and RGB-LED
• 4x Curve controllers – 16 point programmable curves targeting temp sensors
• 8x Target value controllers – Programmable PID targeting control
• 16X Two point controllers – Simple on/off lower/upper control
• 32X Preset value – Constant
• 1X RGB LED controller

Alarm Functions

• Can be triggered by Temperature, Fans, Flow, Pump, Fill level
• A variety of programmable actions: speed signal generator, buzzer,relay trigger, profile loading, power down

Software

• Aquasuite 2012 – Allows configuration & monitoring of the unit. Settings can be saved to unit (autonomous)
• Aquaero 5 – Software sensor tool –  Allows reading of 4X software sensors from speedfan and other programs (must be running)

So, without a doubt the AQ5 is busting out the seams in features and really has no equivalent or competition boasting this sort of feature set.   While I’ve already hit on a few notes about the model versions in the features list, next I’ll give you a bit more detail about the model versions available and expansion options.

Aquacomputer aquastream XT ultra

Here we have another “Smart” pump for water cooling, and one that is built by Eheim and Aquacomputers, the aquastream XT. Not only does it pump, it’s the only pump capable of being manually or automatically controlled via software, monitor’s water temperature, and it can also control the speed of one 5W fan channel (or a poweradjust 2 for 25w).  While there are a few smart pumps that can control pump speed, this is the only one I’m aware of that incorporates a full software suite and control of so much.

A special thanks goes out to Shoggy of Aqua Computers for sponsoring this pump!

He included it as part of the Aquareo 5 package I’ll be reviewing soon following the pump in flow meter.

Packaging

Who doesn’t like un-boxing new products?  Perhaps it’s growing up celebrating Christmas, but to this day I still enjoy this and perhaps why I still like doing these reviews.  Besides the normal surprise element, I think it’s also important that products are packaged well and accessories can make a difference.    The Aquastream XT ultra comes in a nice 6″ x 6″ x 5″ color printed box with various bits printed on the exterior.

Below are the specs printed on the box:

The specs check out well, and I would take note of the “automatic frequency adjustment”, this is a rather unique feature of this pump that causes the pump to restart on occasion as it’s testing the restriction level and tuning the pump.  This is intended to ensure the pump operates at the best operating point which should ensure the pump can’t overheat and also turns up the speed when restriction is present.

And there are multiple versions of the pump, and those differences are fairly well outlined below.  The model I’m reviewing here is the higher end “Ultra” flavor.

The bottom five features are what really makes this pump interesting for me, since it does much more than pump.  These features basically makes it an advance fan controller.  You can hook up a flow meter, fans, external temperature sensor, and monitor/control it all including the internal water temp sensor using software.  That’s considerably more “Smart” that pretty much any other pump I’ve used.

Upon opening the box presents:

Pulling out the soft foam casing reveals the pump:

I’m impressed by the foam protection here, that’s probably the best protection I’ve seen on any pump reviewed before.

Pulling it all out gives the following contents:

The USB cable on the upper left, the RPM monitor cable upper right, PSU jumper lower right, and aeration jumper lower left.

There were several bits of paper, most of which are written in other languages, but there is an English manual that’s fairly detailed and nicely done.

So that’s the package, but before going too far you should know that you need this accessory.  It’s a shame it’s not part of the pump box package as you pretty much need this for standard water cooling use where G1/4 is the standard.  This adapter kit is necessary to convert the larger inlet and smaller outlet ports to standard g1/4 water cooling fitting size.  AC sent me one, but don’t forget it; it’s a must-have extra.

Impression of the packaging was very good although I think the adapter kit should be a standard part of the package.  The pump was extremely well protected and the overall presentation was done fairly well.  The user manual was also done well and a welcome and somewhat necessary addition since this pump does soo much more than just pump.