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The Lamptron FC-2 Fan Controller

From external impressions, the FC-2 looks very basic in functions compared with other fan controllers that I have seen, but it still looks very sleek. When powered up, the controller should look more appealing with the blue LEDs glowing.

The LEDs around the control knobs didn’t seem that bright during the day. However, at night, the glow is really noticeable with them emitting a very solid and strong blue.

The variable resistors (rheobuses) on the Lamptron FC-2 allow for the fans to be fully on or off as well as being controlled to certain speeds. They allow for a maximum of 45w to be distributed to each fan. This is more than enough.

Installation

Installation is extremely simple with the FC-2. Just remove a drive bay plate from your case, slide the FC-2 fan controller unit in, screw it in place and connect everything up.

The FC-2 sits extremely well in a 5.25” bay, even without screwing it in! This is due to the fan controller fitting very tightly inside.

If you are going to be controlling 6 fans then you will need all 3 Molex connecters hooked up to your power supply. As I only have 2 fans in my computer, I only needed a single Molex connector.

Before you use the unit it’s best to make sure that the controller knobs that will be controlling your fans are not in the off position. If they are, you may cause temperature problems inside your system if it’s relatively high-end.

Results

The unit didn’t struggle to output 45 watts at all with my Noise Blocker M12-S1 and S2 fans.

One problem I did find with the Lamptron FC2 Fan controller was that there’s no indication that your fans are in the off position when they are. Therefore, it you slightly knocked one of the knobs by accident and it was the controller for your CPU cooler for instance, you may end up harming your computer. To counter this it would have been better if the fan controller could glow red if that particular knob is in the off position or perhaps alert the user if a temperature goes over a certain degree.

Another problem is that the markers on the knobs are not very clear at all. Lamptron should have made these bolder by filling them with white.

Related posts:

1. Sunbeamtech Rheobus Extreme Fan Controller
2. Fan Controller 2 – Lamptron
3. Fan Control/Rheobus FC-2
4. Lamptron UV Cathlodes
5. Noiseblocker FanSpeed Controller