Custom phase change controller "Golden Froster"

Contact me in the meanwhile for any Controller

UPDATING THE LINE AS FEBRUARY 2007

G-FROSTER CASCADE MENU TEASER

G-Froster X
Specifications:
Hardware:
• (4) Inputs for temperature sensors.(1 included)
• 1 Alphanumeric LCD port.(20x2 blue lcd)
• 1 PSU power control.
• 1 Motherboard power-on/off control.
• 1Compressor power control.
• 1 Fan port.
• 1 RS-232 comunication port.
• 1 Face plate included

Software:
• Temperature monitoring
• Fan speed, power-on temp, power-off temp configurable .
• Pc power-on delay.
• Automatic pc-shutdown in case of reaching critical temperature.
• Compressor Power on delay to to prevent damage
• Firmware update by serial port

DISCONTINUED, REPLACED BY THE NEW X3 CONTROLLER
----------------------------------------------------------------
X3 CONTROLLER:

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7...11smallvd0.jpg

4 K type thermal probes inputs (probes not included) SENSES UP TO -150C
5 TEMPERATURES SENSING (4 K TYPE PLUS AMBIENT BY EMBEDDED PCB PROBE)
Can set start up on any thermal probes
Start up/shut down by temps; temp in tray; control fan speed
Keyboard included to control start up/shut down temps, setting thermal probes
win soft for control start up/shut down temps, setting thermal probe and fan speed (HIGH, LOW OR AUTO FEATURE, CONTROL BY TEMPS) 1.5AMPS OF FAN POWER (3 PANAFLO H PLUS ANOTHER 120X25 FAN). PLUS CUSTOM COMPRESSOR RESTART SAFETY MEASURE.
20x2 lcd display
Comes in a 5 1/4 bay case, face plate included
Serial connection, firmware upgradeable (future proof, adding features)
Failure control (continuous reading of 5v line)
Accept future daughter board (extra fan control, etc)
Failure control by "temp nurse" *

ALL OPTIONS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, NO FEATURES ON THE SOFT JUST FOR LOOKS , ALL OF THEM WORKING...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW XE 2.0

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/8...20batchfi6.jpg

2 K type thermal probes input (probes not included)
3 TEMPERATURES SENSING (2 K TYPE PLUS AMBIENT BY EMBEDDED PCB PROBE)
Can set start up on any/both thermal probes
Start up/shut down by temps; temp in tray; control fan speed
win soft for control start up/shut down temps, setting thermal probe and fan speed (HIGH, LOW OR AUTO FEATURE, CONTROL BY TEMPS) 1.5AMPS OF FAN POWER (3 PANAFLO H PLUS ANOTHER 120X25 FAN). PLUS CUSTOM COMPRESSOR RESTART SAFETY MEASURE.
16x2 lcd display
Serial connection, firmware upgradeable (future proof, adding features)
Failure control (continuous reading of 5v line)
Accept future daughter board (extra fan control, etc)
Failure control by "temp nurse" *

New control pannel and firm update available for the X3 and XE 2.0 controllers

*Updated look of the control panel.

*Added custom text in screen routines:
1_You now have 5 different custom text screens to show whatever you want on them.
2_Every screen has its own delay setting, letting you show each of them for different periods on screen.
3_You can mix with your custom text any of the 3/5 (XE 2.0/X3) temps the controller shows.
4_You can choose to individually enable/disable any of the 5 custom text screens at anytime.

CHECK THE VIDEO OF CUSTOM SCREENS EXAMPLE
http://www.gigasize.com/get.php/-110..._Guide_1.2.pdf
Download quick calibration guide for XE2.0
DOWNLOAD THE LATEST CONTROL PANNEL AND FIRM FROM HERE

ALL OPTIONS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, NO FEATURES ON THE SOFT JUST FOR LOOKS , ALL OF THEM WORKING...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UPDATED G-Froster Xe 1.6

Specifications:
Hardware:
• 1 Input for temperature sensor (included).
• 1 Alphanumeric LCD port.(16x2 blue lcd or green)
• 1 PSU power control.
• 1 Motherboard power-on/off control.
• 1Compressor power control.
• 1 Fan port.
• 1 RS-232 comunication port.
• 1 Face plate included

Software:
• Temperature monitoring
• Fan speed, power-on temp, power-off temp configurable .
• Pc power-on delay.
• Automatic pc-shutdown in case of reaching critical temperature.
• Compressor Power on delay to to prevent damage
• Firmware update by serial port

ALL OPTIONS ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, NO FEATURES ON THE SOFT JUST FOR LOOKS , ALL OF THEM WORKING...


G-Froster Xe installaion guide
G-Froster Installation manuals and software downloads thanks to DaBbLe
G-Froster Value and XE 1.6 latest firm and soft
------------------------------------------------------------------------

G-Froster value 2.0
• 1 imput for thermal probe
• 1 16x2 LCD display
• 1 PSU power control
• 1 compresor power control


Features:
• Temperature monitoring
• Pc power-on delay.
• Automatic pc-shutdown in case of reaching critical temperature.
• Compressor Power on delay to to prevent damage

Software control, fan control and serial comunication on the value.


Units works independently of the power the Pc (have his own psu)

G-Froster Face plates

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1...05small2sg.jpg

G-Froster value unit

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3...25small5vu.jpg


G-Froster Xe

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/5...06small0pi.jpg
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/1...20large8ls.jpg

G-Froster X

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/8666/key703303nb.jpg
http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/5248/key703315uh.jpg
http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/7...18large3qq.jpg

G-Froster X control pannel

http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/4/1/413aa076.jpg

G-Froster Xe and Value 2.0 Control pannel

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5...1medium8do.jpg

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/5...feature3ad.jpg

Very nice :)

PIC for control, PWM fan control and A/D for temp sensors, using a Max232 line driver?

edit - also, what are you using to power (on/off) the compressor?

Tom

Nice Work,

That stuffs way over my head :D

have io got "paints" for realize this project????

i think this controller is the best :D 'cause features on this are not in any other commercial controller

Very nice job! Have you got a schematic or would you prefer to keep the details private?

Nice! Its great to have a lot of electronics knowledge with overclocking and building of super cooling systems - the combination of both can end up with some awesome kit. Great that was made with no money!....

It's a similar spec to my first controller that i knocked up some years ago.
For my new cascade system that im building i decided to throw a whack of money at it and completely redesign it, ya can take a gander here (i was gonna post the whole lot in this thread but tbh i dont wanna seem like im here to steal ya thunder)

Anyway ya can take a look ere : http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=49838

I rather keep specific information of the sistem in private since I´m going to sell it. I´m working on the user manual so I can give a better description of the controller and it´s way of working.

PD: I apologise for mi english , I´m doing my best...

Good work golden, thats awesome! :D

price???


i promise that i will never buy one, told this, can you plz post only a paint with:

temp probe
LCD via serial port like usual, mhz oc ecc ecc


my problem is how to see temps in LCD like mach&vapo and what probe use....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

When I started to make my custom phase changer, a friend was interested in the electrical part of the system and took the challenge to do a custom controller, something like the chill control unit, but IMHO better :D

This is the list of features:

Basic sistem description:

Especifications:
Hardware:
• (6) Inputs for temperature sensors.
• 1 Alphanumeric LCD port.
• 1 keyboard (6 keys) for config. and browsing .
• 1 PSU power control.
• 1 Motherboard power-on/off control.
• 1Compressor power control.
• 1 Fan port.
• 1 RS-232 comunication port.

Software:
• Temperature monitoring
• Fan speed, power-on temp, power-off temp configurable .
• Pc power-on delay.
• Automatic pc-shutdown in case of reaching critical temperature.
• Compressor Power on delay to to prevent damage
• Firmware update by serial port

It will work with different or no display at all, independently of the power the Pc (have his own 12v psu) and with different probes.

HERE you have a video from a very early version and a pair of pics of the last prototipe.
It was made with no money at all and no chillcontrol or other controller to copy at all.
What do you think?

BTW, my friend Golden Eagle it´s the creator and he would like to answer any question.

---

I want one! nice job!

Awesome work! Im definitely interested in this controller. What would be the price?

Te prices is gonna be about u$s100.

malachia: you need any interfase (eg: Golden Froster) so u can measure temperature and send it to the diplay

I don´t understand exactly what paint u are asking me to post...
U can download the temp probe datasheet from this linkhttp://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM135.pdf

The LCD used here is not a serial one, it has a standard interface chip (HD44780 or HD44100)

PD: I almoust forgot about it... SILENCER! thanks for starting this thread.

is it pic controlled - i havent figured out pic controls yet :(

Update
The prototype was tested in my system and it wokrs like a charm, automatic start and shutdown, firmware update, tested probes, fan starts at full speed and go to 50% after -30c and you can override to 100% when u want to (benchs etc) in ten days the final product will be finished.
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/6/2/62044e97.jpg

is it possible to adapt it to a cascade cooler, with a delay between the starts of each compressor ? :)

Some really nice work going on in the field of electronic monitoring here lately :toast:

Regards

John.

Your damn good at electronics my friend ;)

The LCD stuff i need to find out before i can even think of the kind of controller.

I will make a full hardware controller for my cascade in the future maybe. I like hardware more than software. That's why i study Electronics with specialisation: automation (like PLC etc).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tyrou

is it possible to adapt it to a cascade cooler, with a delay between the starts of each compressor ? :)

---

yes, it is possible, just needs better sensors for the greater temps, and a firmware upgrade. It is able to handle 16 AMPs, so you can throw it a pair of compresors without any problem. :)

Wow you are really talented Golden Eagle. Just amazing....

nice, I would be pleased to put one on my cascade :D

I suppose it requires a PSU, or something giving +5 / +12 ?

very very nice work!

Hi Tyrou:

Ssilencer wrote:

Quote:

---

It will work with different or no display at all, independently of the power the Pc (have his own 12v psu) and with different probes.

---

Regards

John.

Thanks :)

It would really fit my needs, no PSU needed, handle two stages... :D

last question, as it has is own psu, is it possible to have a 230V version ?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tyrou

Thanks :)

It would really fit my needs, no PSU needed, handle two stages... :D

last question, as it has is own psu, is it possible to have a 230V version ?

---

I dont understand why u need a 230v version? Is it to handle 230v fans?
In order to maintain total independence from the PC psu , froster it uses its own 12v/5v psu connected to 220v.

BTW, thanks Pythagoras

Maybe tyrou thought, as I did, that Argentine uses 110v ac supply. ;)

If you use 220v then he has no problem :D

Regards

John.

Yeap, I tought so, anyway, no problem to do a 110v version one. :D

Funny thing we being talking for other people :D we are the advanced diplomatics :D

Great, I didn't know that argentina uses 230V ;)

very nice controller there.
if you know what you doing with PIC chips and LCD's you can make a hole lot of things. my last job they designed HF radios they were using some really cool chips, ones where you program the chip to tell it what pin does what, makes routing pcb tracks alot easier, i was only a service tech though, no designing for me, I would like to though.
in a few years i hope to go to university to upgrade me electronics diploma to an engineering degree in instrumentation and control or electrical engineering.

I want 20 please!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chilly1

I want 20 please!

---

:eek:
You´ll have to wait a little !! I´m working as hard as I can :up:

It would be awesome if you made a simple temperature monitor like the Crystal Fontz 633.

That would be sick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chilly1

I want 20 please!

---

one is my birthday present??? :D

kayl: keep studuing! it´s the best you can do, if you want to be somebody, just remember! "... knowldege is power"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 9mmCensor

It would be awesome if you made a simple temperature monitor like the Crystal Fontz 633.

That would be sick.

---

well, it can be done, but I think it wil be better to get wichever you find in the market, just to save some money.

Any other case, just send me a PM ;)

Here we go...
This is the Control Card
http://img174.exs.cx/img174/8018/controllq4mv.jpg

This is the Power Card
http://img174.exs.cx/img174/3593/potencialq3td.jpg

And what about something for a 220V fan? :P

Hey wambas, throw that 220v fan to the toilet (not a good idea) :D
You get what you pay for (anything is posibble)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

kayl: keep studuing! it´s the best you can do, if you want to be somebody, just remember! "... knowldege is power"

---

thanxs, the pcb layout looks neat and well planned.

Very well planned and designed guys. cant wait to use this in my system to replace my
prommy controller. Looking foward to add more temp probes.

I will try to make one of my own :)
i study electronics (will be going for industrial automation instead of electronics part) so i could make my own :).

very nice, im just wondering what the electronic component is called attached to the heatsink I've seen it before in pc power supplies cant make out what it is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by total_assault

very nice, im just wondering what the electronic component is called attached to the heatsink I've seen it before in pc power supplies cant make out what it is.

---

MOSFET's?

actually they are voltage regulators, transistors and other staff

are those triac's on the power board?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

actually they are voltage regulators, transistors and other staff

---

arent the things which are bolted to the sinks MOSFET's? that was his Q (as i saw it)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aphex_Tom_9

arent the things which are bolted to the sinks MOSFET's? that was his Q (as i saw it)

---

voltage regulators look a lot like mosfets and mosfets are transistors

Unknown_road you are right,, and yes there are some triac´s for the compresor and the pc-psu, Maybe ill start using relays to remove those big hs´s

Very nice work Golden_Eagle, thorough design and tidy work :toast:

I'm in the process of trying to design one for myself too... a few tips (nothing that would give away any specifics) would be greatly appreciated.

1) Do you also supply the power supply for the compressor, or do you just plumb into the existing circuitry to turn it off/on?

2) To maintain a set temperature do you:
* Turn compressor on/off?
* Throttle compressor speed?
* Turn the condensor fan on/off?
* Something else?

3) Did you use Thermistors for temp monitoring or something else?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me :)
Rabb

1) The compressor is feed by the 220v line; the controller switches the energy when it´s needed.
2) The temp goes free, it reaches a balance between the phase changer´s
and the precessor´s one.
3)I use ic´s for the probes

NICE, work Golden_Eagle I am also designing something like this for my chiller I want it for this list of things.

1) Control the compressor to turn on and off with the temps once I find the chillers happy place.
2) Monitor res temps
3) Control condenser fan speed
4) monitor compressor temps and have a fan come on once a set temp is reached then shut off once it is bellow the temp by a certain margin.
5) And a few other various things that I have forgotten at the moment...(did you know that weed gives you short term memory loss...)o nit pick at.

So that is my plain here…once I design it I will put up a schematic for all of you to nit pick at…

wow, where do i sign?

:toast: great work m8

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chilly1

I want 20 please!

---

lol @ Chilly1! You know if you get 20 you will get 40 PM's going "I want one in my unit" hahahaha :p:

Any updates on this project?

Done. :D
I will update later...

How can I order one?

G-Froster Value ready too :D
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/9/2/924559ad.jpg
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/6/b/6b4769a1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

G-Froster Value ready too :D
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/9/2/924559ad.jpg
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/6/b/6b4769a1.jpg

---

What does this do compared to the Golden Froster?

G-Froster Value specs:

• 1 Input for temperature sensor (-67 Fahrenheit or -55Celsius )
• Led display , to show basic information.
• 1 Motherboard power-on/off control.
• 1 Compressor power control.
• Fixed settings (-25c(-13f) power on, 0c(32f) power off) (this parameters can be
customised by user request)
• 5 min Restart delay (this parameters can be
customised by user request)

Very nice. What controller and lcd did you use?

Are those G-Froster Value's the ones you sent to Chilly1? I asked him to integrate a froster unit into my phase change cooler. To bad there's no blue LED Display for the value unit, that would've been sweet.

We sent both models to chilly1 to test them.
An lcd disply for the value is overkill, cause it costs near 50% more, and then you have the full G-Froster X

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

We sent both models to chilly1 to test them.
An lcd disply for the value is overkill, cause it costs near 50% more, and then you have the full G-Froster X

---

A blue LED readout, not an LCD. I don't like the standard red LED display.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by B5I8

A blue LED readout, not an LCD. I don't like the standard red LED display.

---

OK, if you send me blue led readouts, I use them for your exclusive G-Froster value ;)
For more info, send me a pm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

OK, if you send me blue led readouts, I use them for your exclusive G-Froster value ;)
For more info, send me a pm

---

I'll show you where they sell them. I'm hoping Chilly1 will install the G-Froster X. I personally don't like to buy "value" anything, I like the full deluxe versions :banana:. You pay more but you get more.

Here's the link to the Blue readouts:
http://store.datel.com/cgi-bin/datel...b/Catalog/1043

Hi B5I8, I´m afraid that this thing they sell is not apropiate for the G-Froster value...
We need 7 segment displays, not voltimeters.
Btw we are in Argentina. It wouldn´t be cheap to import a few parts just for one card to sell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

Hi B5I8, I´m afraid that this thing they sell is not apropiate for the G-Froster value...
We need 7 segment displays, not voltimeters.
Btw we are in Argentina. It wouldn´t be cheap to import a few parts just for one card to sell.

---

Oh sorry :eek:. I just thought it'd be nice to have a different color display that's all. Nice work BTW.

Nice work Golden Eagle....This what i've waiting for so a Chilly1 unit I've been thinking of ordering :woot:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

Hi B5I8, I´m afraid that this thing they sell is not apropiate for the G-Froster value...
We need 7 segment displays, not voltimeters.
Btw we are in Argentina. It wouldn´t be cheap to import a few parts just for one card to sell.

---

Just to let you know, I did find some 7 segment displays in blue that I'm pretty sure will work. Here are the links:

http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...=24001&Site=US
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...=24223&Site=US

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by B5I8

Oh sorry :eek:. I just thought it'd be nice to have a different color display that's all. Nice work BTW.

---

U don´t have to be sorry, I bet lots of people like that blue leds, the problem is that we thought of Value version as a real cheap controller.
I apreciate your links :)

I will see what I can find for 7 segment displays in different colors here in the states...

After remove the small LCD from my case, i found that would fit like a glove :
http://www.forumpcs.com.br/galeria/a...7/P1010009.JPG
http://www.forumpcs.com.br/galeria/a...010006%7E0.JPG
http://www.forumpcs.com.br/galeria/a...7/P1010008.JPG
Very nice work...

Maybe, but not all the 7 segment led displays are the same.

Apologies for my ignorance, why is a restart delay important?

it's used as a protection when you shut off the compressor so the pressure on both side (high and low) equilize and make sure the compressor is safe to restart

Do you have these ones for sale, let me know.





DanyBlasco2

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

Te prices is gonna be about u$s100.

malachia: you need any interfase (eg: Golden Froster) so u can measure temperature and send it to the diplay

I don´t understand exactly what paint u are asking me to post...
U can download the temp probe datasheet from this linkhttp://www.national.com/ds/LM/LM135.pdf

The LCD used here is not a serial one, it has a standard interface chip (HD44780 or HD44100)

PD: I almoust forgot about it... SILENCER! thanks for starting this thread.

---

I got one of each in I will be installing both i units this coming week. I will post a follow up. PM me for Pricing I willbe handling them here in the states.


Very good work GE, SSil.

Thanks, maybe you can put a review in the front page... :D

Is there any type of interface for this to windows software?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by halcy

Is there any type of interface for this to windows software?

---

Yes, it's almost ready.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

Yes, it's almost ready.

---

Excellent, USB or serial? And can you post any preview screenshots or capabilities? :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ssilencer

Yes, it's almost ready.

---

Wow, looks almost exactly like the vapochill WinCC.

G

I would have to say serial. It says com status in the bottom left hand corner of that pic. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Master_G

Wow, looks almost exactly like the vapochill WinCC.

G

---

Yes, we need to make some cosmetic changes and add some features.
:D

Yeap, it is serial for now, but Golden Eagle is working in a usb version for the future.

It´s a serial interface by now, as aviator747 noticed ;)
However we are planing to intruduce the usb interface in the next generation of controllers.

edit: oops, someone answered that already :slapass:

This software will work with the current version of the G-Froster X? I have one on the way from Chilly1 along with some other goodies to make my DD setup.

I´m developing the software with the current version of G-Froster X, so you´ll be able to use it.

Excellent! Could you post a brief summary of what the software will be capable of, please?

Wait a minute, so that means I can't use it with my DFI NF4 SLI-DR. It has no serial ports.

Pretty much so. The only way would be to buy a PCI serial port card. They are pretty cheap.

Ya lets get that usb support up and running asap.. thats a major selling point for me =)

The DFI NF4 SLI-DR has an internal port for serial, you just need to get a brakett.
The lian li you saw with the G-Froster now is running a dfi nf4 mobo with the brakett.

we can offer u a wire with the proper header to connet directly on the motherborad so you don´t have to buy that extra bracket.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Golden_Eagle

we can offer u a wire with the proper header to connet directly on the motherborad so you don´t have to buy that extra bracket.

---

Well Chilly1 is supposed to be using a G Froster full version for my single phase change that he's building. He said he's just waiting for the controller unit from you. If you could send that wire to him along with the controller that'd be great.

I have the G froster full now for yours. And I am also finishing up the case and wiring the unit..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chilly1

I have the G froster full now for yours. And I am also finishing up the case and wiring the unit..

---

Would you know how I can some how wire that thing to my mobo for the serial connection to work?

G-froster Value FR4 production line :D

http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/c/7/c7f82983.jpg
Controller:
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/0/8/0824e3a3.jpg

Display:
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/6/0/60c1e36b.jpg

And the little movies of G-Froster X in action
video 1
Video 2

That is dang sweet =) Lets see some video of the windows software!!

Some more pics


Circuit boards
http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/0/f/0f2fe1ba.jpg




7 Segment displays in the values

http://fotos.miarroba.com/fotos/9/a/9afc55f9.jpg

Awesome! You guys are doing excellent job there :thumbsup: