Sunbeam Rheobus Easy Fan Controller

Overview

Not too bad on paper. Unlike another popular unit, the Nexus by Vantec, the Rheobus can do a full 20W on each channel.

The Rheobus comes in a nice looking box, although the lack of specs and information on the packaging is unfortunate.

When we open the box up we find a couple of extras, and the manual is actually for the kit version of the Rheobus. The pics in the manual show an entirely different fan connection assembly and the wrong list of parts. So don't depend on the manual for much.

But aside from the manual and of course the controller itself, we get the following:

• Six mounting screws
• One 4-pin Molex Y-adapter
• One 4 to 3-pin converter
• One 2 to 3-pin converter
• One 3-pin extension

I was pretty psyched that they actually decided to include all this, since it makes our installation a lot easier if we have some fans without the 3-pin plugs.

Now, it's actually a little misleading to say a maxixum of four fans, since technically the Rheobus gives you control over four 12V power channels with standard 3-pin fan headers. As long as you don't exceed the power ratings on each channel you can easily daisy-chain multiple fans on one channel.

Furthermore, who is to say you need to run fans on this controller? You can plug in your CCFLs, neons, EL, whatever you want as long as we stay within the power specifications on the unit.

The Rheobus is pretty sharp looking, with a 5 1/4" aluminum faceplate designed to fit in one of your case drive bays. The knobs really do have a good feel to them, clicking when turned on/off and they also give a little resistance which kind of lends to a higher quality feel. Each knob is also equipped with an LED which changes from red at or below 7V and to blue from 7V and up to 12V. This is a handy way to tell which fans are turned down or not, plus it gives it a little more character.

When we turn the Rheobus around we can see the four 3-pin fan headers (this is where you will plug in the devices you want to control), and the 4-pin Molex power header to give power to both the LEDs on the Rheobus and of course the fans you add.

The bottom is nicely protected, that is if you care, but I find this a nice addition.

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