Skip to content
English
Go to Aputure.com
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

[EDUCATION] What do all the Fan Modes do?

Fan Mode controls how the fan inside your Aputure fixture behaves: how fast it spins, how loud it is, and how much output the fixture can sustain. Newer fixtures support seven Fan Modes that let you fine-tune the trade-off between noise and cooling capacity.

Fan Mode is set manually from the fixture's System Settings menu, or over DMX when you select a DMX Profile that includes a Control Channel. Basic DMX Profiles (no Control Channel) require setting Fan Mode manually on the fixture.

The 7 Fan Modes

Smart

Fan speed adjusts automatically based on the fixture's internal temperature. The fixture always runs at the lowest noise level possible for the current conditions, and ramps up only when cooling demand requires it. Operating range: -20°C to 45°C (or higher per the product spec).

Use Smart for set-and-forget operation across a wide range of conditions.

Max

Fan runs at the fixture's maximum capable speed at all times. Provides the strongest cooling at the cost of the highest fan noise.

Use Max in extreme temperatures, for example when ambient may exceed 45°C / 113°F.

High

Fixture runs at a constant fan speed tuned for hot environments between 35°C / 95°F and 45°C / 113°F. Higher cooling capacity than Medium without going all the way to Max.

Medium

Fixture runs at a constant fan speed tuned for controlled environments at or below 35°C / 95°F. Balances cooling and noise.

Low

Fixture runs at a constant, reduced fan speed for quieter operation. Maximum output is limited to 75% of the fixture's rated output. Operating range: -20°C to 35°C.

Use Low when noise matters more than peak brightness and you can give up some output.

Delayed

Fan activation is delayed at least 30 seconds after the fixture's internal temperature reaches a defined threshold. This allows a short burst of full-power output with zero fan noise.

Use Delayed for short takes where the fixture needs to be silent while running but can cool off afterward. At ambient ≤35°C, you can typically get about 90 seconds of full-power output before the fan kicks in; at 25°C, closer to 150 seconds.

STORM XT52 special case: The XT52 does not support a dedicated Delayed fan mode. If a DMX value in the Delayed range (154 to 191) is sent, the fixture will run in Low Fan Mode instead.

Silent

The lamp head fan does not spin at all. Maximum output is limited based on the fixture's passive thermal capabilities. Operating range: -20°C to 45°C.

Use Silent when zero fan noise is mandatory (interview audio, ADR, ASMR, dialogue scenes). Note: the control box fan may still operate even with the lamp head fan off.

Setting Fan Mode

From the fixture menu (manual): Open System Settings on the fixture's control panel, scroll to Fan Mode, and select the mode you want.

Over DMX: Select a DMX Profile that includes a Control Channel (for example, Profile 51 - HSIC+ & Control on the STORM 80c). The Fan Mode channel maps DMX values to each mode as follows:

  • 0-38: Smart
  • 39-50: Max
  • 51-77: High
  • 78-115: Medium
  • 116-153: Low
  • 154-191: Delayed (Low on STORM XT52)
  • 192-255: Silent

If you select a Basic DMX Profile (no Control Channel), you cannot change Fan Mode over DMX. Set it manually on the fixture instead.

Related