Question about fans & fan controller - Overclock.net

zlojack · 07-31-08

Hi guys. I'm looking at doing some further work on my system and thinking about moving into a Mountain Mods H2GO case (much smaller footprint than my current beast).

Part of this process would also involve getting a fan controller to be able to raise or lower the noise level/cooling performance of the rig.

I currently have 4 of these Scythe S-Flex SFF21F fans and 5 of these Antec Tri-Cool fans. The Tri-cools are not the quietest (I currently run them on "medium") but they do help with the overall aesthetic effect of the rig.

The questions are as follows:

1) I've heard good things about the Rheobus Extreme. Is it worth buying? Is it easy and reliable?

2) With that controller, should I choose to purchase it, will I be able to control the speed of the fans above? Or should I get a faster fan because the controller will be able to undervolt it but then crank it up for benching? (Or will the controller be able to make the ones I currently have spin faster?)

EDIT: It should be noted, these are for a pair of PA120.2 rads

-=sT3V3=- · 07-31-08

Thats a very good controller, 30W per channel is HUGE on the fan power scale.
The sunbeam controllers i have read good things about them ( i cant get one in my country yet) they are reduce the voltage from 12 V to about 5V and off.
Each channel has its own control/knob, and the fans can be turned from off to flat out...
You can also parallel connect 2 or even 3 fans to one channel and controll mutilple fans with one "knob"

eRazorzEDGE · 08-01-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=sT3V3=-

You can also parallel connect 2 or even 3 fans to one channel and controll mutilple fans with one "knob"

now that's what i wanted 2 know...

how many fans can u control with 1 knob? and what products allow u 2 do this?

is it just a wattage load that factors it?

onexero · 08-01-08

Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme review:

Quote:

The Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme fan controller is somewhat unique in that is provides users with six channels with variable voltage from 4V to 12V 0V to 12V. Many other models have maybe four channels at most, and some that have six do not even provide complete variable speed control on all the channels. Add to that the fact that each channel supports up to 30 watts and the Rheobus Extreme stands out from the crowd. Each knob lights up with blue LEDs and changes in brightness as the voltage is raised or lowered, but they may be too bright for some users.

There were a few things that I did not like about the unit. The front panel is aluminum, but it is covered with a clear plastic bezel. This may mean that the front might not match all the black cases out there, especially the aluminum ones. The other thing that may be an issue is the brightness of the LEDs. However, both concerns are mostly a matter of preference and each user will have their own opinion.

Overall I am pleased with the updates Sunbeam has made with the Rheobus Extreme, as those updates fixed my major concerns. More importantly, I am pleased with Sunbeam and how they listened to my criticism and worked to bring their customers a better product. I have dealt with other companies before that did not take kindly to a reviewer's advice. However, Sunbeam took a different route: they listened and went back to the drawing board. When they came back, the new version was much better and definitely put my concerns about build quality to rest. With the new updated version I can officially give the Rheobus Extreme the "Recommended Award" it deserves.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/S...RheobusExtreme

Seems like a nice fan controller...

TonyL222 · 08-01-08

The Rheobus Extreme is not fancy, but just a simple fan controller. I don't think there's a more powerful one, with its six channel, 30 watt/channel capacity.

It's real utility comes in the ability to control multiple fans in parallel on one channel. Its 30 watts/channel translates to 2.5 amps/channel at 12V. Even with a power hungry fan like my high speed Scythe Ultra Kaze (.6 amps ea), I can control up to four per channel. Your S-Flex fans are rated at .2 amps so you could put 12 on a single channel if you wanted.

zlojack · 08-01-08

Well, that answers my question about the controller. Obviously it's good. The extra bright blue LEDs don't really appeal too much though...

I wonder if there's a way of disabling them...maybe modding it a bit.

Now, the second issue is with the fans. Should I just use the ones I've got, or buy the higher RPB/CFM/DB model? Or will the fan controller be able to take them up to nice high speeds for me?

TonyL222 · 08-01-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlojack

Now, the second issue is with the fans. Should I just use the ones I've got, or buy the higher RPB/CFM/DB model? Or will the fan controller be able to take them up to nice high speeds for me?

I've got six of these:
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12x38scdfuka2.html

...on my Rheobus Extreme. When cranked up on high, it sounds like I'm at Dulles International airport. But rarely do I run them full out - even under load. I could probably have been okay with the mid speed Kazes, but I like having the extra CFMs and the cost was the same. I also have six other fans and case lighting on my Rheobus Extreme.

-=sT3V3=- · 08-01-08

A fan controller will not make fanns go faster than a fan on 12v.
I lot of guys paint, or solder resistors to dulll those LEDs.

zlojack · 08-01-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyL222

I've got six of these:
http://www.petrastechshop.com/12x38scdfuka2.html

...on my Rheobus Extreme. When cranked up on high, it sounds like I'm at Dulles International airport. But rarely do I run them full out - even under load. I could probably have been okay with the mid speed Kazes, but I like having the extra CFMs and the cost was the same. I also have six other fans and case lighting on my Rheobus Extreme.

Those are some beasts (I have one), but I don't know about space for them in the setup I'm looking at. I think 25mm fans will be the limit.

keyboard_commando · 08-01-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by zlojack

Well, that answers my question about the controller. Obviously it's good. The extra bright blue LEDs don't really appeal too much though...

I wonder if there's a way of disabling them...maybe modding it a bit.

Now, the second issue is with the fans. Should I just use the ones I've got, or buy the higher RPB/CFM/DB model? Or will the fan controller be able to take them up to nice high speeds for me?

The leds get brighter the further you crank up the power. It flickers a bit at off position, which can be annoying. I dont really mind that theyre bright though so no biggy.

Ive run YL 88cfm's on this controler at 1/2 speed you get negligible temp loss, 2c maybe. The Led brightness is much reduced.

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Question about fans & fan controller

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