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Lamptron Fan Controller FC-5 Black Version 2, Changeable Display Colors

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#1 ·
Lamptron Fan Controller FC-5 Black Version 2, Changeable Display Colors

Description:
Lamptron listens to the call of users worldwide begging to change that boring white or blue LCD readout used in many fan controllers of today. With the Lamptron design team working closely with suggestions by users like you, we perfected a fan controller that allows a person to change the readout color of not one or two but seven different colors! We also added a function which allows users to choose what they desire to be displayed for the bottom line readout in the LCD display with the choices of Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Voltages.
Specifications:

Dimentions: 5.25" bay
Power Output: Up to 30w per Channel
Face Plate Color Available: Black Anodized/Silver Aluminium
DC Input: +12v (Standard 4-Pin Connector)
DC Output: 0-12v
Changeable Display Color: Red, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple, White
Control Channels: 4

Details:
DetailValue
BindingPersonal Computers
BrandLamptron
Feature30 Watts Per Channel, Dimension 148.5mm*42.5mm*77mm (5.25" Bay)
LabelLamptron
ManufacturerLamptron
Product GroupCE
Product Type NameCOMPUTER_COOLING_DEVICE
PublisherLamptron
StudioLamptron
TitleLamptron Fan Controller FC-5 Black Version 2, Changeable Display Colors
 

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#2 ·
Solid Fan Controller

review by eagle1337

It's a lovely little unit I've found in my use, it fits in perfectly with my 800D. Having 30w per channel i find really useful as it allows me to set my fans up in a per zone design. This way I can vary my fan speeds depending on the area, I usually set my top fans up to a channel so this way i can cut their noise down and not the rest for example. The customizable colours are kind of nice but It's done via jumpers so changing the colour once installed is a pain. It comes with 5 temperature probs which are nice but In use i've found that I don't know where the probes go (well i do but not from what channel) making it kinda of useless know it's X temperature somewhere in the case; this would be easily fixed by actually following and paying attention to what probe goes where. This also leads to my biggest issue with the fan controller, you can show voltage or temperature but not both. this leads to some pretty hard trade offs in my opinion. The screen is fairly nice but nothing overly special and the view angles are okay. Either way it's a great fan controller with a few little issues that doesn't hinder it's use.

ProsCons
30w per channel, looks, shows temperature, multiple colorsvoltage/temperature design.

Ratings
Overall5
 
#3 ·
Solid Fan Controller

review by eagle1337
Do the voltages oscillate in your unit? Mine shows 12.0, 11.8, then 12.2... I guess it's because it's a pwm-based controller.
 
#6 ·
Lamptron FC5V2

review by fuganater

The Lamptron FC5v2 is the second fan controller by Lamptron that I am reviewing. The first was the Lamptron FC6 which is a newer model than the FC5v2.

Introduction
It seems like everyday there is another fan controller coming out but which ones are the best? This fan controller is feature packed and will surprise everyone. Lamptron did it right this time. They listened to user feedback from their previous fan controllers and made some great improvements like a solid faceplate, crisper display, more power per channel and the option to display voltages.

Specifications
Dimensions: 5.25 drive bay
Power Output: Up to 30W per channel
DC Input: + 12V(Standard 4-Pin Connector)
DC Output: 0V - 12V DC
Control Channels: 4 pcs
Display Color: Red, Yellow, Green, Cyan, Blue, Purple, White

Features
  • New and Improved LCD
  • CNC milled from blocks of 3/4" thick solid aluminum
  • User's choice of displaying colors
  • Four knobs to control four 3pin channels
  • User's choice of displaying Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Voltages for the bottom line readout
Packaging

Just like the FC6, the box is simple and tells you all about the device.
DSC07131.jpg


The bottom gives you a brief description about the device and shows you what is contained inside the box.
DSC07171.jpg


The top gives you the specifications, features and what colors are available.
DSC07172.jpg


Whats Inside

You can see that the contents are very well packaged. The foam is cut to fit to provide a snug fit for the controller and accessories.
DSC07132.jpg


Contents include:
1x Fan Controller (Rehobus)
4x Fan Cable Extenders (524mm long)
1x Molex Power Extender (195mm long)
1x Jumper
4x Installation Screws
4x Sensor Cables (725mm long)
1z Installation Guide

DSC07133.jpg


A Closer Look

The front of the controller is very clean looking. If your not a fan of cap screws being visible like they are on the FC6, then this controller is for you.
DSC07134.jpg


They only marking on the front is the LAMPTRON FC5 logo.
DSC07135.jpg


We will now explore the different parts connections that are located on the back of the fan controller.
DSC07136.jpg


In the top left of the board you will see 4 fan connections. They are labeled as P1 through P4 from right to left. Keep this reverse order in mind when connecting your fans.
DSC07174.jpg


Under the fan connections, you will see 3, 2 pin connections that have jumpers on them. You will use these to change the colors of the LCD display. The jumpers are Blue, Green and Red in that order from left to right.
DSC07175.jpg


Now on the right side of the board, you will see the molex connector at the top. This supplies the controller with the necessary power. Under that you will see 4, 2 pin connectors. This is where you will connect the temp sensors. They are labled channel 1 through 4 from top to bottom. Below these connections you will see yet another set of 3, 2 pin connectors. The far left 2 are for what you want to display on the front panel. Celsius, Fahrenheit or Voltage.
DSC07176.jpg


Again Lamptron has done a great job with their instructions page. It is a 8 1/2" x 11" piece of laminated paper that contains everything you need to know to setup your new fan controller. On the back it gives you detailed instructions on how to change the LCD character colors, change the temp settings to Celsius, Fahrenheit or Voltage, how to activate the alarm function and how to connect the temp sensors.

Here is what the controller looks like when powered on in each color.
DSC07163.jpg


DSC07162.jpg


DSC07161.jpg


DSC07160.jpg


DSC07158.jpg


DSC07155.jpg


DSC07149.jpg


I was a tad disappointed at how close the blue and purple turned out in the photo. You can defiantly tell the difference in person but I could not capture it well enough. Also the first color is supposed to be white but that color is more gray/blue. That is also how it looks in person so it is not a malfunction of my camera.

I installed the FC5v2 in a spare PC I had and set it beside my current rig which has the FC6 installed in it. You can see how much crisper the FC5v2 looks over the FC6.
DSC07166.jpg


Just to make sure it wasn't my camera messing with me again, I took close ups of each controller.

FC5v2
DSC07169.jpg


FC6
DSC07170.jpg


Conclusion

Pros:
  • 7 Color choices
  • Crisp and bright LCD display
  • 0-100% RPM Control
  • Clean look
  • Voltage display option
Cons:
  • White color isn't a true white
The FC5v2 has more features and is more powerful than the FC6 so I can conclude that Lamptron is doing it right. I give this device a solid 10/10. I was impressed with the FC6 and even more impressed by the FC5v2.

ProsCons
7 Color choices, Crisp and bright LCD display, 0-100% RPM Control, Clean look , Voltage display optionWhite color isn't a true white

Ratings
Overall5
 
#8 ·
Solid fan controller

review by ultisym

Overall im quite pleased with these. I am running two. They offer good power/watts per channel and offer multiple color options for the display to match most any system. All the cables are braided black and they seem to be of a good quality though the molex plugs were on the cheap side. I would buy again.

ProsCons
Performance, build quality and they look great tooPrice.

Ratings
Overall4
 
#9 ·
Solid fan controller

review by ultisym
thats strange, it looks like a cheep amp trying to be a mcintosh.

also is that a pwm fan controller? or just some variable resistors in a box with a volt meter, and a second volt meter tuned to register the prms?

if its the first one i want one, if its the second you got ripped off.
 
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