Wind PWM-Function
🌬️ Connecting a 4-Pin PWM Fan to the Motion4Sim Controller (Wind Function)
Overview
Starting with Firmware v4.30 (available on Pro License controllers), the Motion4Sim Controller supports the connection of a PWM-controlled 12 V fan to simulate wind effects. The PWM signal is output through Pin Extra02.
⚙️ Requirements
Motion4Sim Controller with Firmware ≥ v4.30
Pro License (required to unlock the Wind feature)
4-Pin PWM Fan (standard PC fan following the Intel PWM spec)
12 V power supply for the fan
Common Ground (GND) connection between fan supply and controller
🔌 Fan Pin Layout
A 4-pin PWM fan typically uses the following pinout:
1
Black
GND
Connect to both the 12 V PSU ground and controller GND
2
Yellow
+12 V
Connect to the +12 V output of your power supply
3
Green
Tach (optional)
Not required
4
Blue
PWM Signal
Connect to Extra02 (PWM output from controller)
⚠️ Important: The 12 V power supply ground must be connected to the controller ground. Without a shared ground, the PWM signal will have no voltage reference and the fan won’t respond correctly.
🔋 Power and Safety
The 12 V PSU powers only the fan – not the controller.
The controller receives its 5 V supply from USB (PC).
The USB ground (PC) and 12 V PSU ground are connected through the PWM ground reference.
:::tip Professional recommendation This setup is normally safe. However, for larger or permanent systems, consider:
Star ground topology (single common GND point)
Decoupling capacitors at the fan (e.g., 100 µF electrolytic + 100 nF ceramic)
Optional optocoupler isolation if you mix multiple power supplies or earth-referenced systems :::
⚡ PWM Signal Details
PWM frequency: ≈ 25 kHz (standard for 4-pin fans)
Logic level: 3.3 V (controller output, compatible with 5 V fan logic)
High logic ≥ 2 V, Low logic < 0.8 V
100 % duty cycle = maximum fan speed
💻 Configuration in Dashboard App
Open the Dashboard App or Controller Setup Menu
Select Pin Extra02
Set the function to Wind – Channel 8 (Setup Tab)
Save the configuration
The controller now outputs PWM data to the fan whenever data is received on Channel 8 (Wind)
🧩 Data Format (Firmware v4.30)
Direct Mode: 0x00 → 0 % PWM (fan off) 0xFFFFFF → 100 % PWM (full speed) (24-bit values)
Position Mode:
0x00 → 0 % PWM 0xFFFFFFFF → 100 % PWM (32-bit values)
🧰 Wiring Example (schematic)
(USB 5 V from PC) (12 V Power Supply)
+-------------------+ +------------------+
| Motion4Sim Board | | 12 V PSU |
| | | |
| Extra02 (PWM) --+------> PWM (Pin 4, Blue) |
| GND ------------+-------+ GND (Pin 1) |
| | | +12 V (Pin 2) ---+--> Fan
+-------------------+ +------------------+Last updated