Lamptron FC-2 Fan Controller Aesthetic Mod (so it looks nicer on cases)

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06-06-2009, 08:20 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Lamptron FC-2 Fan Controller Aesthetic Mod (so it looks nicer on cases)

IKIKUINTHENUTZ here with a new completed mod

I posted under here because I assume this matters the most when the unit is installed into a case

Lamptron FC-2 fan controller mod
MFG Product Link

I introduce my latest modification, my LED switch out and how to fix the not fully lid LED lights on the sides of the unit.

For those of you who don't know, this fan controller has an aesthetic problem of having the LEDs not show up in the corners. Below here is a Image I borrowed from overclock3d.com
http://www.overclock3d.net/gfx/artic...211814199l.jpg
As you can see, the unit uses bright blue LEDs and doesn't fully illuminate the unit at the edges.

When I bought my black colored FC-2 from performance-pcs
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=24896
I was thinking that my LEDs were too bright and I wasn't too fond of blue and so I decided to switch it out.

My original idea when I started with this project was to switch out the blue LEDs in favor for white LEDs, however during the process I learned some important facts and then I decided to fix the non side illumination issue along with switching out the LEDs.

First I unscrewed the whole unit apart
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...cc2c3f81b1.jpg

After doing that I decided to inspect the unit and I noticed this
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...65b71b2f3b.jpg

If Lamptron indeed put a led on the sides, then why doesn't it show? I quickly plugged it in and I decided to look at the back of the unit while I was turning the knobs, indeed it lit up perfectly fine but why doesn't it show? The image below practically shows why, a piece of metal blocks the way.
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...d14c2bcdd2.jpg

Another shot of the unit with the metal off
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...583ae6c99b.jpg

While searching the internet for the LEDs, it was pita finding them in size of 2X5X6mm flat rectangular white leds so I decided to get these white 2X5X7mm from ebay
link

After I received them, it took 6 hours total to solder the old ones out and put in the new ones with just a soldering iron. My end result was worth it because it came out to be not too bright or blue.

Perfect
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...95e144aff3.jpg

Now for the piece of metal, I went to my local hardware store and bought a brand new Dremel and a miniature hobby table so I can cut the little darn thing. Luckily with purchase of a new Dremel, they give you a sample cutting disk and grinding disk inside the box. I didn't have to spend extra money for more tools.

After cutting the edges off and grinding 1mm all around the openings to accommodate the new bigger LEDs, this was my end result. It's not perfect but it's well hidden anyways when it's put back together. This took me around 15 minutes to do.
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...64cd99a387.jpg

Now the finished product images.
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...6bb774837a.jpg
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...6e5a39c485.jpg

Enjoy!
06-07-2009, 12:12 AM
Volkum

Awesome, thanks for posting this. Unfortunately, I'm on my 2nd FC-2 which I'm also in the process of RMAing. Both of them were from the first batch and have an issue that causes a terribly high pitched electrical whine, but appear functional none the less. I'm not willing to try my luck with #3 since P-PC isn't willing to go through their inventory and check for the bad controllers and would rather just ship me ones from the same bad batch, but your post answers my lingering question of why do the side LEDs not light up.
06-07-2009, 12:33 AM
shazza

+1 ... nice job on fixing the LEDs, but my FC-2 has the whine too. Wish Lamptron would fix this, as I like the looks of the controller.
06-07-2009, 12:48 AM
Volkum

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazza

+1 ... nice job on fixing the LEDs, but my FC-2 has the whine too. Wish Lamptron would fix this, as I like the looks of the controller.

Li @ Lamptron says it was fixed and had just affected the first batch. You could contact him to see if maybe they'll exchange yours: li@lamptron.com
06-07-2009, 10:08 AM
Jsunn

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazza

+1 ... nice job on fixing the LEDs, but my FC-2 has the whine too. Wish Lamptron would fix this, as I like the looks of the controller.

Shazza,

What do you mean by "whine"? I purchased this controller, but I found that it made my fan make a buzzing type noise. Is this what you are refering to? Or is the "whine" coming from the controller itself?

Thanks,
Jason
06-07-2009, 10:29 AM
Volkum

Jsunn, both of mine made the fans whine and the controller itself whined.
06-07-2009, 10:51 AM
Jsunn

Thanks, I'll stick with my Sunbeam!

-Jason
06-07-2009, 12:23 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volkum

Jsunn, both of mine made the fans whine and the controller itself whined.

It sounds like I got a newer batch. The controller doesn't whine but low speed fans do. I was under the assumption that the low speed fans didn't get enough juice which was why it made the sound but then again my controller didn't make a pitch so I guess it's fine. All the higher speed fans are fine though and this controller is not going to be used for low speed fans anyways lol

Hell, the internals shown on sidewinders and review sites. My fan controller internals does not look like that
06-07-2009, 12:53 PM
shazza

The noise my made was, I think from the fans - it was a "whiny buzz." It only occurred when I turned the fans (S-Flex E and Yate Loon Med Speed) to anything lower than full power. Since my other fan controllers don't do this, my issue is with the controller. Only reason I use a controller is to turn the fans as low as I can get away with ;)

Sounds like the version you have may still have this issue. I tried emailing Lamptron, but never got a response. I'll try the contact posted above.
06-07-2009, 01:03 PM
soundood

nice job :up:

i managed a few years back to find a no name fan controler that has even lighting all rond the knob, it has 3 small leds in there around each knob, but for the damned of me i cant find a black one.

looks like a spray paint is coming back out !!!!

heres a pic,

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...d/PICT0004.jpg
06-08-2009, 05:33 AM
Volkum

Quote:

Originally Posted by IKIKUINTHENUTZ

It sounds like I got a newer batch. The controller doesn't whine but low speed fans do. I was under the assumption that the low speed fans didn't get enough juice which was why it made the sound but then again my controller didn't make a pitch so I guess it's fine. All the higher speed fans are fine though and this controller is not going to be used for low speed fans anyways lol

Hell, the internals shown on sidewinders and review sites. My fan controller internals does not look like that

What's printed (or possibly stickered) on your PCB? Both of mine were marked with "FC08-6624".
06-08-2009, 07:44 AM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volkum

What's printed (or possibly stickered) on your PCB? Both of mine were marked with "FC08-6624".

LFC2090102E01
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...a86693e3e0.jpg

VS.

http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/sidewinderco...s_2053_8244779
06-08-2009, 11:07 AM
Volkum

Wow, totally different. Where did you buy yours at?
06-08-2009, 02:01 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

I mentioned it in my first post P-PCs

Maybe luck of the draw?

For some reason I think I got the newer batch some how, maybe That Li contact of yours know more about it?
06-09-2009, 02:19 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

PART 2 of FC-2 mods

Ok guys time for part 2 and I'm going to need your help. I have been experimenting with diffusion and so far I'm having difficulty of which one to pick.
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...c2b314e4a1.jpg
06-11-2009, 03:08 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Alright everyone, after collecting opinions on many other forums that responded, the last one definitely was the winner.

But lets go into detail of what I did shall we?

I was talking to nd4spdbh2 of OCF and he had given me an idea of how much light was bleeding out on to the back of the unit which was shown in my image. We talked about how to address it and then came up the idea of aluminum foil behind each led.

Now ill be honest, working with small bits of aluminum and then gluing it on a slippery surface in the smallest work space available with 2 needles as tool is worth a lot of headaches but in the end, it worked out fine in the end.

http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...90bd2b9644.jpg

This resulted what I wanted, stronger front led lighting but what I didn't expect was the fact that it was too much, it was too damn bright just like Sunbeam Controllers! Ouch!

After consulting with nd4spdbh2 again and seeing forums posts, I noticed people complained about how the lighting wasn't all around in a circle. The idea of diffusing the light came apparent.

The installation is probably the most easiest mod I have done to this unit. All you need is some type of paper that still let light through, some glue, and a razor. In this case I used parchment silicone paper that is used in baking.

Unscrew the face plate and slap the paper on with some glue
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...1f11c8612c.jpg

Then use a razor and cut holes where appropriate for the knobs and screws.
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...b7b7c899ab.jpg

Then put everything back together and huzzah! Finished!
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...e8f424352b.jpg
06-11-2009, 03:42 PM
Volkum

Awesome, I love the end result!
06-12-2009, 01:03 AM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Night time shot
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...62299296de.jpg
06-12-2009, 01:16 AM
GregSG

Wonder if you could feedback this to Lamptron?

Looking good!
06-14-2009, 09:28 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregSG

Wonder if you could feedback this to Lamptron?

Looking good!

it would be hilarious if a manufacture started to use paper on their products :rofl:
06-15-2009, 03:07 AM
Ch3ck5um

Very nice, looks acceptable now :)
06-15-2009, 05:18 AM
LeandroJVarini

was much better with this look!
very nice!
has much work? therefore want to buy one to use in my new case and I also change the LEDs in the same !!!!!
07-22-2009, 04:17 PM
IKIKUINTHENUTZ

I recently did one final (hopefully) mod

Acetone + Q-tip
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...fa0afafe03.jpg

Finished!
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...53e245b68f.jpg
http://www.hostthenpost.org/uploads/...f83f0aaffc.jpg
07-22-2009, 04:29 PM
OldChap

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazza

The noise my made was, I think from the fans - it was a "whiny buzz." It only occurred when I turned the fans (S-Flex E and Yate Loon Med Speed) to anything lower than full power. Since my other fan controllers don't do this, my issue is with the controller. Only reason I use a controller is to turn the fans as low as I can get away with ;)

Sounds like the version you have may still have this issue. I tried emailing Lamptron, but never got a response. I'll try the contact posted above.

The sound I get from Deltas is akin to that of a dry bearing....I've run 2 in series and they are almost quiet....no screech at all

Edit I hope you do get them to build a copy of yours IKIK, That is one sweet looking mod