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Lamptron FC10 Fan Controller Review

Others/Miscelleneous by stefan @ 2012-08-20

The FC10 is a powerful 4-channel fan controller from Lamptron, featuring a cool Nixie tube display and can be controlled via remote after it has finished the initial self-test. The antenna module is attached as a daughterboard onto the PCB of the controller and the included cables are fully braided for better durability and looks.

A Closer Look Part II

The fan cable extensions are also sleeved, which, besides a clean look, they also have increased durability:

The controller features two separate PCBs, which are connected together:

On the back side of the unit, we can see the individual power fan channels, many headers and a small buzzer:

The thermal probes headers are labeled PT1…PT4:

We can switch between degrees Fahrenheit and Celsius by modifying the jumper position:

The alarm jumper is located close to the small buzzer:

The MOLEX port is where we plug in the PSU connector for supplying the necessary juice:

Comment from kzinti1 @ 2013/03/26

Is there some formula that can tell me the maximum fans I can run per channel on this controller, or others?
I want to control 12 fans on 2 radiators.
I already own the FC-10 but the instructions are atrocious and Lamptron won't answer my e-mails.
Here are the specs for my NoiseBlocker NB-eLoop B12-4 fans:

Speed:
2400 RPM ±10%

Noise:
34.29

Max. Airflow:
88.5 CFM
150.3 m^3/h

Static Pressure:
2.741 mmH2O

Voltage Range:
3.3 - 12.0 V DC

Starting Voltage:
3.3 V DC

Input Current:
0.32A

Input Power:
3.84W

My power supply is a Corsair AX 1200i.
ATM, my only recourse is to use a pair of Sunbeam Multi Fan Power Ports, connecting 6 fans each to an ATX connector on my power supply.
Unfortunately, there's no type of monitoring with these devices and the fans would always run at their maximum speed.
Thanks for any help.

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2013/03/26

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzinti1

Hello there,

I do not think that there is a specific formula. All you need is to make sure that you do not exceed the total power value per channel (in this case 30W). I haven't tried myself with multiple fans on one channel since I do not have a splitter, but I guess that when they are regulated by the fan controller, the fans connected to one channel should spin at about the same speed -> I am saying "about same speed" since I have tested 4 separate fans from the same type and each of them had a different start-up voltage and a different maximum RPM.

Comment from kzinti1 @ 2013/03/26

Thanks for your reply.

Comment from jmke @ 2013/03/28

30W per channel, would mean 7 of those noiseblocker fans can be run in series!

Comment from kzinti1 @ 2013/03/28

Could I use four 3-way fan splitter cables and run 3 fans on each of the 4 channels of this speed controller?
I have no experience whatsoever with running a dozen fans on 2 radiators and really don't know any other way to control them.

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2013/03/28

I do not see why not; watch out for fan splitter cables that have resistors on them, buy only simple ones so you will have all the fans running the same speed / channel.

Comment from kzinti1 @ 2013/03/28

I was thinking of something like this:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_289&prod ucts_id=31263
I'd make my own, but why bother?
Cost of materiel, tools and time really doesn't justify it.
Thanks for your help!

Comment from Stefan Mileschin @ 2013/03/29

Quote:

Originally Posted by kzinti1

Yeap, that is cool!

No problem.

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