aquastream ULTIMATE
The evolution of the aquastream XT.

The aquastream ULTIMATE pump has been developed with the objective of maximum reliability and quality.

At the same time many new features have been integrated, making the operation of the water cooling system safer and making the aquastream ULTIMATE the perfect monitoring and controlling device for your cooling loop.

Key features:

• Intelligent pump controller for reduced vibrations and operating noise
  
• High resolution OLED display and built-in buttons for direct operation without a PC
  
• Continuously adjustable 12 W fan output for analog 3-pin fans or 4-pin PWM fans
  
• Automatic control of fan output and pump speed with individually adjustable behaviour
  
• aquasuite software for a comfortable setup, evaluation and visualization of all sensor data
  
• Two software sensors to integrate temperature values of the system (optional feature)
  
• aquabus interface for communication with Aqua Computer devices. When connected to an aquaero, the fan output of the pump can be controlled from the aquaero
  
• Connector for external temperature sensor
  
• Virtual flow sensor (optional feature)
  
• Alarm output to protect the PC in case of a failure
  
• Integrated buzzer for acoustic alarm
  
• USB 2.0 interface
  
• 12 V power supply via SATA connector
  
• Firmware update via USB

Video presentation at YouTube:



(PDF) with all information about the pump

A few photos of the pump:



Impressions of the menu and overview pages as animated GIF:



Screenshots of the aquasuite software:







aquastream
Since its market introduction in 2003, the name "aquastream" stands for reliable and
durable water cooling pump technology - made in Germany.

We have bundled all our experience and in addition we have added many wishes of our
customers to form a masterpiece of German engineering.

Our focus during development of this new pump was to achieve maximum quality.
Driven by this desire, nearly every part of this pump is produced in Germany and has been precisely selected for maximum durability.

With the introduction of the new aquastream ULTIMATE, we have raised the technological level in the water cooling pump market to a new level. There is no other pump in this market like the aquastream ULTIMATE.

For the next years, we will still keep on developing the software to make it even better.

Pump drive
The pump is the heart of any water cooling system. If the pump fails, the complete system fails.

For the aquastream ULTIMATE we are using a bearing system made from highest quality ceramics with an life expectancy of more than 10 years of permanent use.

To reduce vibrations, the bearing system is decoupled in rubber bearings. The ample length of the bearing system results in smooth operation of the pump drive.

Every material that is used has been selected for high strength and lifetime.

The motor parameters are monitored 20,000 times a second. Based on this data, the motor control of the pump is optimized to reduce vibrations and to achieve a nearly noiseless operation.

Our new digital motor control system provides some great functions. For example, the motor controller can now find the maximum motor speed in real time without pump restarts.

Electronics
The control system of the aquastream ULTIMATE is based on a 32-bit microcontroller with integrated DSP that provides an even higher performance than the aquaero 6 MCU! A multi-layer PCB with very small structures enables us to integrate all components in the small pump housing.

A native USB 2.0 interface connects the aquastream ULTIMATE to your PC. With our aquasuite software all functions of the pump can be controlled and monitored. In addition, software updates can be performed using the aquasuite software.

Nearly every function of the pump can also be controlled directly at the unit by using the well structured menu on the 128x64 pixels OLED display. The menu is very smart and shows you a preview of the selected value at the bottom line in many cases.

The aquabus interface connects the pump to the powerful aquaero control system (aquaero 5 and higher).

An integrated buzzer can be enabled for customized alarm levels (water temperature etc.).

Sensor technology
The aquastream ULTIMATE features an integrated water temperature sensor. In addition, an external temperature sensor can be connected to the pump. If an Aqua Computer flow sensor is connected to the unit, it is possible to monitor the flow rate of the system.

An extended alarm management with acoustic and optical alarms is integrated in the aquastream ULTIMATE. It also provides two options to shut down a PC in case of an emergency: The first is the generation of a virtual fan tacho signal. The signal can be disabled in case of an alarm and the connected mother board can shut down the PC.
The second solution is to connect the aquastream ULTIMATE to your power switch with an optional cable. In this case, the power switch can be controlled by the pump.

But there are many more sensors in the aquastream ULTIMATE: The current load and voltage of the pump motor is measured and the power consumption is calculated. The same is applicable for connected fans. The torque of the fan is calculated as well.

Controller
Providing more features than any other pump in the market, the aquastream ULTIMATE can additionally control a group of fans with a total current load of max. 1 A (a peak current of up to 1.5 A at start-up is allowed).

The device is able to control PWM and voltage controlled fans. The fan amplifier circuit is an advancement of the aquaero 6 amplifier design and provides an even higher efficiency.

We have added many functions to improve the reliability of the fan controller: It provides short circuit, over current, over temperature and over voltage protection.

In interaction with the integrated water temperature sensor, the fan controller is able to adjust the fans without any additional components. After setting a target value for the water temperature, the aquastream ULTIMATE will do everything that is necessary to maintain this value.

The RPM signal of the fans can be monitored by the aquastream ULTIMATE.

The ensemble
In the end the ensemble counts: The aquastream ULTIMATE combines a pump, advanced sensor technology and a great controller to a wonderful product. If you use this product, you will notice how seamlessly all functions will interact with each other.

After adding an aquainlet reservoir, you will only need to buy a radiator and water blocks to complete your system.

As if by magic, the pump motor and the fans will be controlled by the current load of your system. Flow, temperatures and fan rpm - everything can be monitored and can raise optical or acoustic alarms. Your PC is protected against damages and in an ermergency, the aquastream ULTIMATE can shut down your PC for protection.

Just enjoy this ultimate solution!

Virtual flow
During the development of the aquastream ULTIMATE, we put a lot of effort in a wonderful new function: The virtual flow sensor.

We provide this function as a software extension that can bought separately. After purchase of this option, the aquastream ULTIMATE is able to calculate the flow rate from complex calculations based on the real-time monitoring of pump parameters.

The virtual flow sensor can be used to ensure that a sufficient flow rate is maintained in the water cooling system. In case of a failure, an alarm can be triggered.

Limitations of the virtual flow sensor: The accuracy of this function is not equivalent to a real flow sensor and it can only be used if the aquastream ULTIMATE is the only pump in the circuit. If more than one pump is installed, a real flow sensor has to be used.

Controllers
Another great upgrade we can offer is the advanced controller package. If you purchase this option, additional controllers will be unlocked. In addition to the target value controller, the fans can be controlled by a curve controller or a two-point controller. The curve controller allows the user to set up a relation between temperature value and target fan power in a simple graphical curve.

The two-point controller allows to switch the fan output at user definable temperature values.

Another controller included in this package enables the aquastream ULTIMATE to control the pump speed in relation to a temperature value. It enables the pump to automatically speed up the pump motor at rising water temperature and thereby increasing the flow in the system.

The last component of the package is an option to directly control the flow of your system.
Simply set a target value for the flow and the aquastream ULTIMATE will control the pump speed to match the value. This function can also be used with the virtual flow sensor option!

Upgrade
Longevity and reliability - that is our goal. In times of many environmental problems, we would like to go ahead with good practice. This is why our very first CPU water block cuplex (released in 2001) can still be converted to the latest CPU sockets and we are providing all necessary spare parts to do it: A long-lasting product is the best way to protect the environment.

In order to do so, we remain true to this idea:
Any aquastream pump shipped since 2003 can easily be upgraded. In case of the aquastream XT series, only the controller of the aquastream XT has to be exchanged with the aquastream ULTIMATE controller to perform this upgrade. We have added userfriendly clamp contacts to the new controller, so the exchange can be performed without soldering and is generally done in less than 2 minutes.

In many cases the upgrade can be performed without draining the cooling loop.

Prices and availability
The pump will be available by the beginning of January 2016. The prices are as follows:

aquastream ULTIMATE: 99,90 Euros
Upgrade kit ULTIMATE for aquastream XT pumps: 59,90 Euros
Software extension “virtual flow sensor”: 14,90 Euros
Software extension “advanced controller package": 9,90 Euros

Every new pump has the optional software extensions activated for 48 runtime hours of the pump to be able to test these features.

Zitat von »OddsCrazyStuff«

Is the only difference from aquastream XT, that it got more features or is it more powerful, in terms of head pressure and/or flow?

Also, is this pump meant for an restrictive loop or a free flowing one?

The maximum pressure of the XT is 420 mbar while the ULTIMATE can do 445 mbar but we got even some slightly higher ratings in later test but the packaging with the official rating was already printed

I am not sure what you mean by free flowing. Like the XT this pump has no specific working point because of it capability to change the frequency on its own. You can use it for loops with a low and high restriction.

No for both questions.