Fan controllers have been around for a long time and they have pretty good usefulness as newer hardware develops in time. Not much has changed except its aesthetics and functions, so they still do the same job- control and monitor fan speed, along with voltage and temperature monitoring.
Lamptron Touch six-channel fan controller isn’t new. Judging by the release date and user posts in multiple tech forums, it’s been around since 2010 or 2011- as old as Hardware BBQ itself. What’s interesting is that it uses a touch screen as a means to allow a user to change the screen and adjust fan speed according to their preference. It’s a six-channel-based CNC milled aluminium interface with the ability to view and control RPM/VDC for fans, but also monitor voltages and temperatures in Celcius or Fahrenheit. This allows 30 watts per channel with automatic or manual fan control options. That’s adequate even for cooling fans available today.
The Silencio FP 120 PWM Performance edition fan is rated to consume 1.92 watts and the IndustrialPPC 24v fan lineups consume from 1.68 watts to as high as 7.92 watts. A water cooling pump with integrated reservoir like an EK-XRES 140 Revo D5 PWM consumes 23 watts from the 12VDC. Keeping that in mind, this fan controller holds some its own weight, at least on paper. Six channels will give you enough control a user will need. You can also use these to control 3-pin LED strips, like the ones MNPCTech is selling. Alas, you can’t change the graphics on the fan controller. Some controllers have a set of three-pin connectors for LED lights. Fans, pump and LED lights. As long as it can operate on 12v DC power, this should get the job done.
What’s also noteworthy is that the fan controller has a CPU which acts as a PWM controller. So if you have a bunch of non-PWM base case fans, the controller allows you to keep them in automatic mode- or manual.
The packaging is straightforward and has all the information at the back except the warranty period. We noticed that Lamptron posted pictures of the contents, but the colours of the cables were colour coded and not the usual black insulation which is usually preferred by users as it helps to look the wiring more seamless. There’s also a jumper and six pieces of sensor cables, the mounting screws and a screen cloth.
The inner packaging is good enough to protect the contents inside, but I am surprised to see black sleeved cables bundled with this fan controller. Even each of the wiring on the molex extension adapter is individually sleeved. You get an instruction manual, a set of four screws, a cleaning cloth, a jumper, six extension wires for 3-pin fan headers and six pieces of thermal probes.
You get an instruction manual, a set of four screws, a cleaning cloth, a jumper, six extension wires for 3-pin fan headers and six pieces of thermal probes.
While it’s good to see Lamptron Touch keeping up with the present, but Lamptron should update their photos on the packaging and their site as it would easily prevent a lot of users from making a purchase. Labelling the difference would be more helpful by calling it as a ‘V2’ or something to indicate the updated version.
The specifications and features are as follows:
Specifications:
- Faceplate Color: Black Anodized/Silver Aluminium
- Dimension：148.5mm X 42.5mm X 64.5mm (5.25inch bay)
- Screen Dimension：118mm X 31.5mm
- Power Output：Up to 30W per channel
- Control Channels: 6
Features:
- CNC milled front panel
- Clean and streamlined interface
- Streamlined touch functionality to control your fans
- Choose between RPM or Voltages and Celsius or Fahrenheit for readout
- Set the channel in either Automatic or Manual control to control the fans
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