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ET-MD18

MAX6650 I²C Fan Speed Controller

Set a 12 V fan's RPM over I²C and the chip holds it, with fan-fail alarm

AED 59.00

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Download datasheet (PDF)

Overview

Set a 12 V fan's RPM over I²C and the chip holds it, with fan-fail alarm

The ET-MD18 is built around the Maxim MAX6650 — closed-loop fan speed regulation from the tach signal, I²C-set target RPM, fan-fail alarm. It connects over I²C (Qwiic) (4 selectable addresses) and is powered from Logic 3–5.5V from Qwiic; fan 12V on a screw terminal (up to ~1A fan).

Two Qwiic / STEMMA QT connectors let you chain it with other boards without soldering, and the 2.54 mm header fits a breadboard.

Designed in Dubai by ElectroTrical — the full schematic, BOM and design notes are published below.

Good for

  • Enclosure and rack cooling
  • 3D-printer chamber fans
  • Fan-fail monitoring

Key features

What makes it different

Controller

Maxim MAX6650: closed-loop fan speed regulation from the tach signal, I²C-set target RPM, fan-fail alarm

Interface

I2C (Qwiic), 4 selectable addresses

Supply

Logic 3–5.5V from Qwiic; fan 12V on a screw terminal (up to ~1A fan)

Fans

Standard 3-wire and 4-wire 12V PC fans (supply switched, tach read)

Qwiic / STEMMA QT

Two JST-SH connectors plus a 2.54 mm header — 3.3 V and 5 V hosts.

Open documentation

Schematic, BOM and layout notes published for every board.

Specifications

Technical specifications

Device
ControllerMaxim MAX6650: closed-loop fan speed regulation from the tach signal, I²C-set target RPM, fan-fail alarm
InterfaceI2C (Qwiic), 4 selectable addresses
SupplyLogic 3–5.5V from Qwiic; fan 12V on a screw terminal (up to ~1A fan)
FansStandard 3-wire and 4-wire 12V PC fans (supply switched, tach read)
Board
Size35.0 × 25.0 mm
Mounting4 × M2.5 holes, 2.54 mm from each corner
Connectors2 × Qwiic / STEMMA QT (JST SH 4-pin) · 7-pin 2.54 mm header · Screw terminal 2P 5.0mm 17A (THT) — 12V in
Main ICMAX6650EUB+ (LCSC C143561)
RevisionRev A
Software
LibrariesRegister-level I²C (Linux max6650 hwmon driver; Arduino/Python examples)
Solder jumpers
JP1 (default Closed)Cut to turn off the LED
JP2 (default Closed)Cut to remove the host-side I2C pull-ups

Performance

Capability

I²C addresses and supplyFrom the MAX6650 datasheet.

Pinout

Pin map and connections

MAX6650 I²C Fan Speed Controller pinout: VIN, GND, SCL, SDA, ALERT, GPIO0, GPIO1
PinNameTypeFunction
1VINPowerSensor supply = host logic level
2GNDGroundGround
3SCLI²CI²C clock
4SDAI²CI²C data
5ALERTOutputFan fail / over/under-speed alarm, open-drain
6GPIO0GPIOSpare GPIO / full-on input
7GPIO1GPIOSpare GPIO / clock

Qwiic / STEMMA QT pins: GND, VIN, SDA, SCL (same on both connectors). I²C pull-ups (10 kΩ) are on the board; cut JP2 to remove them.

Mechanical

Dimensions and what's in the box

Board 35.0 × 25.0 mm with M2.5 holes
Top view · 35.0 × 25.0 mm

In the box

  • 1 × ET-MD18 MAX6650 I²C Fan Speed Controller (assembled)
  • 1 × 7-pin 2.54 mm male header, unsoldered

Getting started

  • Plug in a Qwiic / STEMMA QT cable, or solder the header and wire VIN, GND, SDA and SCL
  • Libraries: Register-level I²C (Linux max6650 hwmon driver

Compare

Which motor accessory?

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InterfaceI²C (Qwiic), 4 selectable addressesSPI mode 0, up to ~5MHzI²C (address 0x52) for configuration + EEPROM;…3 × PWM + 3 × enable, 3.3V and 5V logic; works…
Best forEnclosure and rack coolingFast motor encoders on a Raspberry PiBrushless fans and pumpsGimbal and camera stabilisers
Price59 AED59 AED69 AED39 AED

Downloads

Documents and design files

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