Xhuttle ARGB Controller: Safe ARGB Power & Daisy-Chain Guidelines

Modified on Fri, Jun 6 at 9:04 PM

Thank you for choosing the SSUPD Xhuttle ATX Chassis. To keep your system running reliably and to prevent potential damage to the onboard ARGB controller’s PCB, please follow these guidelines carefully. Overloading the controller by daisy-chaining too many external ARGB devices (e.g., fans, LED strips) is the most common cause of controller failure.

1.Controller & Cable Specifications

Specification Item	Details
Case-Included 5V 3-Pin Cable
• Rated Voltage	250 VAC/DC (max)
• Rated Current	3 A (AC/DC) (max)
PCB 5V 3-Pin Connector
• Working Voltage	60 VAC/DC (max)
• Rated Current	3 A (AC/DC)(max)

Tips:

The values above represent the maximum safe load under normal conditions. Do not add any additional devices beyond these limits or attempt to “hard-mod” the connectors.
Before connecting any external ARGB component, always verify that the device’s voltage, current, and connector type match these specifications.

2. Pre-Installed Load on Xhuttle

When your Xhuttle chassis ships from the factory, the following ARGB components are already connected to the onboard controller:

LED Strip: 18 individual LEDs
Pre-Installed ARGB Fans (×3): Each fan contains 6 LEDs (total = 3 × 6 = 18 LEDs)
Single LED Rated Current: 9 mA (0.009 A) @ 5 V

Load Calculation

LED Strip: 18 × 0.009 A = 0.162 A
3 × ARGB Fans: (3 fans × 6 LEDs × 0.009 A) = 0.162 A
Total Default Current Draw = 0.162 A (strip) + 0.162 A (fans) = 0.324 A

3. Limit on Additional Devices

⚠️ Core Principle: Never Exceed the 3 A @ 5 V Limit
Through extensive testing, we have determined that the maximum safe current for the onboard ARGB controller (and its cable) is 3 A at 5 V. Exceeding this will likely destroy the controller or cause connector failure.

If you wish to add more ARGB devices, ensure:

Total Combined Current ≤ 3 A

Example Scenario: Replacing Only the Pre-Installed ARGB Fans

Assume you swap out the factory Pre-Installed fans for Lian Li Uni Fans (keeping the original LED strip in place):

Lian Li Uni Fan
- LEDs per fan: 40
- Current per fan: 40 × 0.009 A = 0.36 A
Remaining Headroom
- Controller limit: 3A (stable usage may be around 90% of 3A)
- Subtract LED strip load: 3.00 A *0.9 – 0.162 A = 2.5 A
- Maximum Uni Fans you can add: ⌊2.5 A / 0.36 A⌋ = 6 fans

4. Self-Check Before Connecting

Before you plug in any extra ARGB device:

Verify Device spec
- Read each component’s rated voltage (V) and current (A).
- If you can’t find these values on the product label, contact the device manufacturer or retailer before buying. Never guess at a device’s power requirements.
Inspect Your Wiring
- Always use the genuine 5 V 3-pin signal cables. Do not substitute “generic” 3-pin cables or use 4-pin→5-pin adapters.
- When daisy-chaining, make sure every connector is fully seated and pin-aligned. Never force or bend a connector to make it fit—this can damage the spring-loaded contacts and result in poor signal/power delivery.

5. Alternative: Independent Power Supply

If you plan to connect multiple high-power ARGB components, we strongly recommend using an external ARGB hub or splitter with its own power source:

Use a Hub/Splitter with SATA / Molex Power Input
- The hub draws 5 V power directly from your PSU via a SATA or Molex connector.
- Only route the 5 V 3-pin “signal” cable from the hub to your motherboard or SSUPD controller.
Why This Helps
- Separating “power delivery” (via SATA/Molex) from “signal control” (5 V header) drastically reduces the risk of overloading the SSUPD controller.
Keep in Mind
- You still need a minimum of two 5 V 3-pin headers: one for PC-to-hub signal and another for fan/LED signals.
- If your motherboard doesn’t have enough 5 V 3-pin headers, you’ll need either:
  - A higher-end motherboard with additional ARGB headers.
  - A 5 V 3-pin header splitter or adapter that’s rated for the total current draw.

6. Prohibited Actions

❌ Do Not connect devices with different voltage/protocols (e.g., mixing 5 V ARGB with 12 V RGB). ❌ Do Not use non-standard adapters or attempt to modify any cable/connector (e.g., cutting wires, re-soldering). ❌ If you experience any of the following after adding devices:

Flickering lights
Partial LEDs going out
Controller or cables feeling hot to the touch → Immediately power off your PC, unplug the ARGB devices, and re-evaluate your load.

❌ Avoid daisy-chaining any ARGB parts that lack clear power specifications or come from unverified sources. Unknown power draw is an accident waiting to happen.

7. Liability & Warranty Disclaimer

If you violate any of the above guidelines and cause damage to the onboard ARGB controller or its connectors:

The RGB lighting functions will be permanently disabled.
You may damage your motherboard’s ARGB header, and those repair/replacement costs are not covered under warranty.
Any expenses for repairing or replacing the controller, wiring, or associated motherboard headers will be your responsibility.

Likewise, if you use a third-party hub or splitter and modify cables yourself, any ensuing damage is fully at your own risk. SSUPD will only honor warranty claims that arise from factory-default configurations.

Thank you again for choosing SSUPD. Enjoy building your dream system and lighting it exactly the way you want—just be sure to respect these limits so your Xhuttle chassis can soar reliably for years to come.