Fanpico: Programmable PWM (PC) Fan Controller

Fanpico is a smart PWM (PC) fan controller based around Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040 MCU). Fanpico operates as standalone controller that can be configured and left running. It does not require any drivers and doesn't care what OS is being used. FanPico is an Open-source hardware (OSHW) project.

What is it for?

Fanpico is for customizing fan "curves" to fine tune how your motherboard controlled fans run.

Fine tuning fan speeds to easily balance airflow.

Controlling fan based on temperature sensor input.

Monitoring fan speeds and behavior as well as monitoring what exactly motherboard is doing.

Fanpico works also as standalone controller for other things than a PC, it's been used controlling fans on 3D printers and on enclosed network equipment racks, etc..

Features

• Controls up to 8 fans.
• Connect up to 4 motherboard fan outputs.
• Connect up to 2 remote temperature probes (plus onboard "ambient" temperature sensor).
• Support for 1-Wire Temperature sensors (up to 8 sensors)
• Support for I2C Temperature sensors (up to 8 sensors)
• OLED and LCD display support (boards where model name ends with "D").
• Can be powered from motherboard fan outputs or using auxiliary power connector (4-Pin Floppy or DC Barrel jack connector).
• Ability to define custom fan "curves" for each fan.
• Ability to provide custom tachometer (fan RPM) output signal back to motherboard.
• Support for Locked Rotor (Alarm) signal fans (allows using regular tachometer fans with system expecting Locked Rotor Alarm fans and vice versa).
• Control fans from any motherboard PWM signal or from temperature sensors.
• OS Independent, no drivers or software needed.
• Configuration stored on the device itself (in the flash memory).
• SCPI "like" programming interface (see Command Reference)
• Monitor each fan and motherboard output signals as well as temperatures.
• WiFi support if opting to mount Pico W on the board.
• HTTP server with TLS (HTTPS) support.
• MQTT client with TLS support for logging data and to receive commands.
• Home Assistant support using MQTT Discovery feature.
• Telnet server for configuration and monitoring.
• SSH server for configuration and monitoring (experimental).
• SNMP Agent for monitoring.

Interfaces

• Serial "Console". Primary method for configuring/monitoring FanPico units is via (USB) Serial console (some units also have 3.3V TTL Serial connection).
• Desktop application (that polls FanPico using SCPI commands over the console connection): FanPico Monitor
• Web Interface (available when using Pico W) over WiFi

For more documentation check FanPico Wiki

Pre-compiled firmware images: Firmware