New T-balancer firmware and software is released

[0xdeadbeef]

It finally supports 2 miniNG and have other new features. It's only an alpha release but it's definitely good news for us bigNG junkies.

http://www.mcubed-tech.com/forum/sho...d.php?tid=1068

[Brodholm]

Glad to hear it!

But I just sold my mcubed bigNG :\

And I think I'm getting a aquaero now. With fanamps instead. But this is certainly good news!

Can you quote the changelog? you need to get a account to see the info...

[Demthios]

I've heard that the fan amps don't always play well with the aquaero...

[BDW88]

Sweet!!! thx for the info! I just got a Big-Ng recently and I love this thing!

[0xdeadbeef]

Can you quote the changelog? you need to get a account to see the info...

There's no changelog but here's some info from the official thread:

Software T-Balancer bigNG

Please find here a new version of the T-Balancer Software. It is an alpha
version. And we would be happy about some feedback.

http://www.t-balancer.com/download/tban-server.msi

Some major changes:
> We have splitted the T-Balancer Navigator from the firmware and have
  added a T-Balancer Server Software.
> The T-Balancer Server is connected with USB to the T-Balancer
> The T-Balancer Server is communicating over TCP-IP with the client
> The T-Balancer Client can run on the same PC or somewhere else in the
  network

Some small changes:
> The T-Balancer supports now 2 miniNGs
> no USB connection problems anymore (due to a better handling of USB in .Net)

The biggest change and advantage:
> with the T-Balancer Server we have provided a much easier communication
   with T-Balancer
> it is very easy now to develop own applications
> we have added the communication protocol and a sample program
> it should be easy to transform the T-Balancer server also to UNIX

This way we have made it much easier to create more specific and smaller
applications.

We would be happy to get some feedback, which we can incorporate into
the beta-version, so that we can publish the new software officially.

To make it a little more clear: the biggest improvement for this alpha
release is the creation of a very universal and network based communication
platform through our server software (.Net 2.0). Now it is possible with some
easy steps to create simple applications for data access and configuration
the T-Balancer without caring about protocol details, firmware and timing.

It is now also much easier possible to access more then one unit on a PC or
over the complete IP network. The old Navigator software was only modified
to work also with the server, but this wasn’t the focus for the moment –
very soon there will be an announcement which will make it very interesting
for you to use this new communication interface.

Some modifications by side to this release:
• Completely new alarm management (FW+SW) – necessary to transfer a
  Default profile after firmware upgrade. It allows to choose the behaviour
  and signalisation of the systems depending on each separate alarm state
• Analog/PWM bug during bootup procedure (FW)
• Support of the second miniNG (FW, only supported from new server, not
  yet from Navigator)
• Improved communication stability through .Net technologies

[beast200]

hi

i also have the bigNg and flash the bios and now using 2.12
seem a bit sleeker but still needs abit of setting up
OXdeadbeef are you using the T B to control your pumps or just fans

cheers

[Brodholm]

I've heard that the fan amps don't always play well with the aquaero...

What do you mean? Have there been complications?

Well I sold my mcubed for the same price I bought it. So now I can choice again. And now it is between the aquaero and mcubed. But my concern is the software. But maybe it is going to change now that the manufactures has taken up it again. I'm abit worried with windows 7 coming up and all.

I never even tried the mcubed. I sold it brand new, never even tested it...

Is there any changes to the "looks" in the new version?

Edit: Off topic, Is there someone that have a clue how to make a mCubed T Balancer Attentuator. It should be very easy, just a Capacitor and some wire? or am I mistaken? Maybe there already is someone who have a circuit diagram. But if I'm not totally wrong you dont need these with the aquaero?!

[andersson.j]

I've heard that the aquaero can't regulate fanamps more than a few volts up and down. Might still be enough for pumps though. Try to get a hold of virtualrain, I think he uses this setup in his awesome rainmaker.

[0xdeadbeef]

OXdeadbeef are you using the T B to control your pumps or just fans

I'm using the bigNG to power 10 radiator fans controlled by two water temp sensors. My miniNG powers 6 of my case fans, also controlled by a couple of temp sensors. I have Sanyo Denki San Aces and they are really power hungry beasts (more than 6W each). With a channel maximum of 20W I can only hook up 3 fans on each fan channel. A second miniNG would help me a lot...

[tgm_of_xxl]

miniNGs are used to drive pumps, as the pumps (ddcs) consume up to 20W each. This is a limitation of bigNG as if the load is over 20W the heatsink will heat up and trigger heat protection and the channel will be switched to pwm (pumps doesnt like pwm). this occurs at 85 centigrades. if you manage to watercool the bigNG you will not have a problem.

[andersson.j]

Just ordered a second miniNG.

Lets hope this software update gets the t-balancer scene going again!
There's so much potential in these little things. If they managed to fix the bugs and got the community to start developing features it could become a must have for every watercooler.

[0xdeadbeef]

miniNGs are used to drive pumps, as the pumps (ddcs) consume up to 20W each. This is a limitation of bigNG as if the load is over 20W the heatsink will heat up and trigger heat protection and the channel will be switched to pwm (pumps doesnt like pwm). this occurs at 85 centigrades. if you manage to watercool the bigNG you will not have a problem.

I agree, miniNG is great for pumps. I used one for powering two DDCs more than two years. It worked flawlessly, not one single issue during that time. But after some time I discovered running the pumps at 12v was best for performance and temps, so with my latest build I connected the pumps directly to my PSU.

But bigNG/miniNG is so much more. You can use it for pumps of course, but you also configure each channel for step mode, curve mode or target temperature mode. The curve mode is perfect for radiators and case fans. Just hook up the temp sensors, set the temperature curves in T-balancer and the fan will change speed automatically according to your info. After that you don't even have to start T-balancer anymore.

Lets hope this software update gets the t-balancer scene going again!
There's so much potential in these little things. If they managed to fix the bugs and got the community to start developing features it could become a must have for every watercooler.

Agreed again!