Temperature steps
Fan power rises in line with the measured system temperature. At low load the setup stays quieter, while more cooling power is ready as the temperature climbs.
Fan control as an IRL4YOU project
For a BELABOX built on the Radxa ROCK 5B Plus, there is a temperature-based fan control from IRL4YOU. It adjusts the cooling automatically to the temperature of the system.
Source code, installation files, technical explanation, requirements, and current notes are provided centrally through GitHub. The homepage deliberately sticks to this short overview.
Open the fan control on GitHub
Released: Version 1.0.0 is available in the official IRL4YOU repository with a German guide, test status, installer, and checksum.
Why regulated cooling makes sense for IRL streaming
A BELABOX works continuously during a stream: the input signal is processed, encoded as an H.265 video stream, and sent over the available network connections. Under longer load, the RK3588 can get much hotter than at idle. A temperature-based fan control reacts to that real load, instead of running the fan at full power all the time or not at all.
Hysteresis against constant switching
A small temperature margin keeps the fan from jumping back and forth between two steps at a threshold. It runs more quietly, and you can follow why it switches when it does.
Reliable fan start
A short start-up kick helps the fan start reliably even from a standstill. After that, it is regulated back to the step that fits the temperature.
Failsafe
If no plausible temperature value can be read, cooling should not simply fail unnoticed. The project therefore uses a deliberately safe behavior for sensor errors.
Short function test after installation
- Check that the service started automatically and stays active.
- Watch the box's temperature during a private test stream and check that the fan step changes in a way you can follow.
- Keep airflow paths, heat sink, and fan clear; do not wedge the box tightly between power banks, modems, or other heat sources.
- Before a longer outdoor outing, do a trial run under comparable load. Direct sun and high ambient temperatures need extra headroom.
The fan control does not replace a suitable power supply, a correctly mounted heat sink, or enough air circulation. It adds automatic regulation on top of those points for the tested ROCK 5B Plus setup.
FAQ
What hardware is the fan control meant for?
For the tested setup with the Radxa ROCK 5B Plus. Before you use it, look at your device, the current project status, and the notes in the GitHub repository.
What happens if no temperature value can be read?
Then cooling should not fail silently. For sensor errors, the project therefore provides a deliberately safe behavior.
What is hysteresis for?
Without a margin, the fan would keep switching between two steps at a threshold. With it, the fan runs more quietly and the control logic is easier to follow.
Does the fan control replace a heat sink or a good power supply?
No. It comes on top of a properly mounted heat sink, clear airflow, and a suitable power supply, and it regulates the fan automatically. Before a long outing, do a trial run under similar load.
Where do I find the source code and installation guide?
Both are in the official IRL4YOU repository on GitHub. It is not embedded in this page, and a connection to GitHub is only made when you click the link. BELABOX for IRL Streaming and the ROCK 5B+ Wi-Fi fix are related reads.
Important note
The fan control is intended specifically for the tested ROCK 5B Plus setup. Before using it, check that you have the right device, the current project status, and the notes in the GitHub repository.
The repository is not embedded and is not loaded from GitHub when the page opens. Only your deliberate click on the GitHub link makes a connection to GitHub; after that, GitHub's privacy notices apply. Private configurations, credentials, and logs must be removed before anything is published.