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4 pin connector for fan

Category: Hardware
Product Number: MAX6615

I am design a circuit to control fan speed using a 3.3V MCU and seems the MAX6615 can do everything.

The MAX6615 Vcc is connected to the 3.3V

The fan I plan to use is AFC0612DB-F00, https://www.delta-fan.com/Download/Spec/AFC0612DB-F00.pdf .

I can connect it to typical 4 pin connector: 1:GND, 2:12V, 3:Sense, 4:Control

Following the Typical application circuits in datasheet and , I am making the schematic as below:

My main question is

1. Which one of the 3 PWM output way should I use? I want to use the 3rd way, which is the figure 6, but not sure.

2. What is the voltage should I use for the VFG on the fan? which is used for the tach and PWM? on the drawing above, I am using 12V the FVCC. But I want to know if I can directly use 3.3V? That will eliminate several parts. 

  • I kind feel I should be able to direct connect the PWM to the fan with a pull up 4.7k resistor to 12V.

    Also similar pull up resistor on the TACH still there because that from the max6616 evm.

    Some where I saw people suggesting a pull down resistor on the TACH, do I also need that?

    Here is the schematic after remove the MOS

    Any problem here?