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[O/C]Lamptron FC-5 Fan Controller Review

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Lamptron FC-5 Fan Controller Review
by Earthdog

Today I will be reviewing the Lamptron FC-5 fan controller. I had initially purchased the Scythe Kaze Server fan controller and ended up giving it a review first. Truth be told, I wanted to purchase this Lamptron unit over the Kaze because of the more powerful 30W per channel specifications and multi-colored LCD alone. Sadly, it appeared to be sold out every where I looked at the time. Now however, I have one in my hands to review!

FC5box1-300x224.jpg

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Did the fans make any whining noises when you turned them down to 5-7v? My FC-2 makes some horribly annoying high-pitched noises at these voltages. At full-speed there is no issue, but you don't need a fan controller if you run at full blast all the time.
 
Jason, this is a known issue, and the latest revisions of Lamptron's FC2 are reported to not have this issue. We actually found similar behavior with the FC2 we are working on, but Lamptron is getting us a newer revision to see if its really fixed. Once we get our hands on the latest Rev, you'll see full details from Hokiealumnus.

Earthdog tested a few panaflo UHS fans I sent him with this controller and he didn't have the whining problem. I don't think the FC5 ever had this issue. On the FC2 we tested these fans had the horrible whining issue when not running full blast, but the same fans worked fine on a Sunbeam controller.

Hopefully he can pipe up and confirm I've got things right according to his experience, I didn't see in the article where he tested them at less than full load.
 
Just to confirm, this unit as expected, did not have a whining sound as was found in the FC2. I tested these from where they barely spun up (around 6v) all the way to their limits and the only whining was coming from me begging those fans to be quiet!!! :santa:
 
Nice! Thanks for the response.

I think I need to get on the ball and get in touch w/ Lamptron to see about a replacement.

To me it looks like they are really trying to release some high-end products, and may have just hit a speed-bump.
 
Great review, I was able to pick one up at my local microcenter. Excellent controller IMO, I switched from a NZXT sentry mainly because of the 30w per channel. Here is my installed picture with red text, and volts showing. LamptronFC5.jpg
 
Since you already bumped this I figured I'd update that I got a replacement FC-2 from Lamptron. Still haven't had a chance to test it, but it was cool that they came through in the end and got me a free replacement. :)
 
Looking good xfull! And thanks for the compliment! :)

Im glad that worked out for you jason!
 
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