which is better: Rheobus EXTREME or Lamptron FC-2

[quattro_]

to MOD's: if this is not the right section please move it where it fits sorry

what is better for total of 12 S-Flex F's :
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/lamp-fc2-sl_03.jpg

or

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/images/products/sb-rheobus-extreme-sl_01.jpg

[orangekiwii]

definitely the extreme

I got the fc-2 as it looks nicer but the s-flexs (have them myself) put out an awful noise on the controller as with any other non-pwm fans

only use the fc-2 if you have a total load of 25 watts or more PER channel or if your fans are pwm... and since you're not going to be doing that save yourself the pain of the obnoxious humming noise... and get the rheobus extreme

[psyshack]

I have the rheobus extreme in black. I had problems with the power connector heating up with 7.2 to 7.8 watts per fan on each control. I adjusted the connectors on the plug and all is good now. I have not loaded it down to the claimed 30 watt per channel. I'm sure it's time will come. Mine is black, and it looks OK. The led's are to bright as many have mentioned. Comes with enough leads to tie the computer to a willing girl friend.

Just a rheobus
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/547/medium/S7300445.JPG
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/547/medium/S7300436.JPG
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/547/medium/S7300434.JPG

[quattro_]

thanks for your input guys, after a fast research i fund out the both are not so good :(
-Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme: will not give a full 12v on any channel : http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/4.html

-Lamptron FC-2 will not slow down fans and only good at 100% : http://www.overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/cases_cooling/lamptron_fc-2_rheobus_fan_controller/3

so is there any other 6 channel fan controllers out there that are good ?

[faster3200]

The Rheobus extreme is fine, the voltage drop is normal.
From the techpowerup article:

The high-speed voltage output does lose some voltage from the rheostats, but the loss is within 10% and considered normal.

One other 6 fan controller is the Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus. I haven't used it but I know someone who is happy with it.

[shazza]

Over the two, I'd definitely go Sunbeam. I also tried the FC-2 - totally useless at anything less than 100% with S-Flex E and F fans. I sent an email weeks ago to Lamptron, but yet to hear back. Too bad - it's a nice looking controller, and they give you lots of accessories with it.

[faster3200]

Over the two, I'd definitely go Sunbeam. I also tried the FC-2 - totally useless at anything less than 100% with S-Flex E and F fans. I sent an email weeks ago to Lamptron, but yet to hear back. Too bad - it's a nice looking controller, and they give you lots of accessories with it.

Oh really? I guess it isn't just high amperage fans. I will fix my first post.

That is really too bad.

[quattro_]

thanks to all
Sunbeam it is :)
shazza are you using two S-Flex F per channel on the Sunbeam ? did it work ok?

[shazza]

I've just used the Sunbeam Rheobus (4 knob version), not the extreme - but others have reported good success with the extreme. On the regular sunbeam, I had 2 sets of 3 fans and 2 sets of 2 fans running fine (fans in each set soldered together).

To clarify, my problem with the Lamptron FC-2 was an annoying whining at anything less than 100%.

[quattro_]

yes but where they s-flex fans ? i heard somewhere that people had bad experience with s-flex's coupled in one fan controller channel !!

[shazza]

oops, sorry quattro. Yes ... using both S-Flex Es and Fs. Sorry for missing that part of the question. Basically same performance from the fan controller that I got with the Yate Loons.

[quattro_]

thanks shazza appreciate your help :)

[orangekiwii]

i have 3 on one channel on my rheobus extreme and it runs fine

i want a response from lamptron to as its not advertised as being pwm but a rheobus so one could not expect the issues without further knowledge from others before you purchased

[justin.kerr]

I have ordered so many fan controllers, and the only one I use now, until something better comes along . lol is this one.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7250/bus-134/Lamptron_Fan-Atic_5_Port_Military_Switch_Baybus_-_Silver.html?tl=g34c17s286

This one works well for me, I usually have my fans maxed for stress testing, or silent for every day stuff.


The lamptron fc-2 would be great if it did not make the buzzing noise, defeats the purpose of a fan controller. Also it does not have an off posistion, which is a bummer, depending on what you are controlling.

The Sunbeams, 3 of them, have all failed in less than 2 months, I gave up on them.

[faster3200]

The Sunbeams, 3 of them, have all failed in less than 2 months, I gave up on them.

The only time I have had a fan controller die is when I had more than one fan on a channel. I had one channel with 3 fans die on my Kaze Master. Since then I am running 2 Sunbeam Rheobus and a Kaze Master with no problems.

[ewitte]

I have 2 slow 1000-1200 rpm fans on the same channel with my Rheobus.

[justin.kerr]

I was running a minimum of 3 fans on each channel.

[Gunlance]

I have 3 san aces on channel 1 and 2 more on channel 2 with 2 delta VHE speed fans on channel 3 of the sunbeam extreme. It will handle whatever you throw at it :).

[NaeKuh]

i had a total of 16 fans hooked up to the extreme.

One hell of a great controller:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/aigomorla/IMG_0119.jpg

the sinks on the controller speak for themselves..

[quattro_]

is it possible to change the LED's on the Sunbeam ? i hate blue !!!

[faster3200]

is it possible to change the LED's on the Sunbeam ? i hate blue !!!

Yes, you have to unsolder them and solder in new ones. I think I saw a thread on it a while ago.

[Capt Proton]

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/aigomorla/IMG_0119.jpg

Just what is the point of this setup? It just can't really increase cooling that much to have all of those fans running, can it? It just kinda looks like a penis envy thing to me. Is it really worth it?

[quattro_]

Yes, you have to unsolder them and solder in new ones. I think I saw a thread on it a while ago.

thanks, i just got a reply from Ppcs that they can change it for my to red :up: no soldering required just pull out the LED's and push in new ones.