Fan Controller: How many watts per channel?

Cutshaw

Cutshaw

Cutshaw

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14 Nov 2007
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EDIT: Watts = Volts x Amps. A Bitfenix Spectre Pro 200m is 0.33a, so at 12 volts it would be needing 3.96 watts? A corsair 120mm Performance Series is 0.13 amps, at 12v that would be using 1.56w? So 30w per channel could easily handle 2 fans, correct? I've grossly overestimated the power draw of fans by the sounds of things.

Also if anyone has any suggestions on a fan controller that is black with black and/or braided cables and can switch fans all the way off I would love to hear it.
 
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Somthing Else said:
Sorry to Hijack but Im also looking for a nice simple fan controller that can switch fans off.

So far all I have come across is

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-010-AK&groupid=701&catid=2331&subcat=189

Says it can control the fans down to 0 rpm so it may be worth a look, also has 20w per channel which is plenty
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Ive got the 30w per channel model of that controller, unfortunately it produces a slight buzzing sound on any setting, not a constant thing as it comes and go's. Love to get it sorted as aside from this it's a good peice of kit. The ability to turn fans off is pretty nice.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-007-AK&groupid=701&catid=2331&subcat=189
 
Tealc said:
You've calculated correctly. 30W is enough for a ridiculous amount of fans.
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Thanks.


For others looking for similar things. I'm currently looking at the Lamptron FC2 and FC9. From what I gather they both go down to 0. They have a bone-crushing 45w and 50w per channel respectively. It might not be listed on the OcUk store pages but at least some versions of these controllers also have black and/or braided cables as well.

It's a bit of a giggle using something like "bone-crushing" to describe a fan controller but given what I know now, it's not that far off.
 
I went with the Lamptron FC9 and 4x Phobya braided splitters.

I certainly don't need the 50w per channel but it's the best looking controller and I want a go on those sliders! I'll report back in a few days for anyone interested.
 
Cutshaw said:
I went with the Lamptron FC9 and 4x Phobya braided splitters.

I certainly don't need the 50w per channel but it's the best looking controller and I want a go on those sliders! I'll report back in a few days for anyone interested.
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yes please do. I dont like my bitfenix hydra and want it gone but need a good one to swap it with.

Do a little product review if you have time.
 
Cutshaw said:
I went with the Lamptron FC9 and 4x Phobya braided splitters.

I certainly don't need the 50w per channel but it's the best looking controller and I want a go on those sliders! I'll report back in a few days for anyone interested.
Click to expand...

I currently use the Lamptron FC9...

Personally, I don't rate it very highly !

I have an nzxt phantom 410, and the sliders prevent the door from closing :(
Fortunately, the poor quality knobs mean they slide right off, and the "slider sticks" minus knobs, allow the door to close :)

The molex power-connector was awful.. Took me about 15minutes just to plug it in - the prongs were all over the place, had to re-allign them with a screw driver,

Hmm, what else... It looks pretty, even without the knobs... The adjustment is nice and seems to go up in nice small inclines... it doesn't buzz/make any noise though that would be hard to hear (running 4x 36w delta's ;) )

All in all, it does the job! Not many controllers cater for 36w+

Look forward to hearing your opinion :D
 
Very interesting. I don't have a door to worry about but thanks for the heads up how you have been getting on with it. I certainly hope my knobs can take a bit of a beating, at least some up and down action.

I would really like to know if the fans stop when the sliders are pushed all the way down. If you could shed some light on that I would appreciate it. It should arrive tomorrow but forewarned is forearmed.
 
I'm up and running now. I was going to take photos and pour over the post but decided to keep it simple.

The difference in build quality between this and my Scythe Kaze Q-12 is huge. It's like a Tank vs a Smart car. That's front to back, too. The metal parts and heavier and thicker, the electronics on the other side is where I seen the biggest difference. Everything is tidy, really chunky and solid. The Scythe had bits that would bend sticking out the back if you looked at them the wrong way.

The throttles/knobs/sticks do pull off but you need to pull them. They wont drop or fall off. The cables aren't braided and are the regular old red/yellow/black kind. I would have been a bit unhappy about that if I didn't have the braided splitters ordered at the same time. I've just left all the stock fan cables in the box. Also, the cable you can't replace, the 3 socket molex power, is really short. I was pretty happy with that, it means the only visible cables from the side view are the braided splitters and my PSU cable going up to meet the controller. If you are low on molex power connectors and/or your power cables are on the short side, that could be an issue.

About the actual fan control. So far it's been far better than I had hoped. The fans do switch off completely if you push down the slider but more impressive than that, the tone of my fans seems to have changed for the better. Even turned up a good bit it's just less intrusive a sound. Turned all the way up they sound like they are chucking out a lot more air. This might be more to do with the Scythe being rubbish than the Lamptron being awesome but I'm delighted.
 
Glad you're happy with your purchase ! ;)

(You should get some delta's just for the funnies, the amount of air they shift is mental - shaves around 10'c off my CPU at full load, at 100% ... though fairly loud, is useful for benching ! ;))
 
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