Fan+Light Controller combination?

[Odin75]

This is actually attempt #2 in trying to make this happen. I want to control fans and light with a drive bay controller. My original idea consisted of using a Sunbeam Lightbus to control the lights, but that doesn't exist anymore. I looked and looked online for days, with no luck, so I gave up. So my second possibility was a Sharkoon ccfl controller. That allows me to do some stuff as the Lightbus, as shown in this video. But yeah, that doesn't seem to be sold in the US. Now, my only possibilities so far seem like the Vantec NXP-305. This matches my next black case, and also allows me to control fans and have sound sensitive lights. This is ok, but I would of liked more features. That's why I tough of getting that to control lights, maybe by using the fan controller part for controlling lights. Like dimming, and to turn on and off. Simple.
About the fan controller, I wanted also something simple, but looked cool at the same time. So I tough of getting either a SuperFlower Fan Master SF-609, or maybe a Sunbeam Windmill. Both allow me to control more fans, and display the temperature, and the RPMs. Those are things I wanted.

So, about all this:
Is it possible?
Am I missing something?
Are there other alternatives that might be better?

I also wanted to know, what is this for, and where does it gets installed:
http://www.spirecoolers.com/main/product_acc_detail.asp?ProdID=467

Thanks, and sorry for the long post.

 

[Exanimis]

I also wanted to know, what is this for, and where does it gets installed:
http://www.spirecoolers.com/main/product_acc_detail.asp?ProdID=467

It is a sound controller, basically you place it in the line with your light from their power source and it makes it turn on and off from music or sound nearby.
I assume it is designed to be so you unplug your light or fan and plug it in where the light/fan was, then plug the light/fan into the sound box.


omg such bad english, I must be tired...

 

[Dark Prodigy]

This may or may not help you, but it does have the features you want. Its the Aqua Computer Multiswitch. It has the ability to control up to 8 12V devices including cathodes and fans. Check it out.

 

[Odin75]

It is a sound controller, basically you place it in the line with your light from their power source and it makes it turn on and off from music or sound nearby.
I assume it is designed to be so you unplug your light or fan and plug it in where the light/fan was, then plug the light/fan into the sound box.


omg such bad english, I must be tired...

Ohh ok.
I had to read it a couple of times, and try to understand what you wrote. Sorry.
So what you mean is this?
Fan/Light ---> [This Box] ---> Mobo

Is it?

This may or may not help you, but it does have the features you want. Its the Aqua Computer Multiswitch. It has the ability to control up to 8 12V devices including cathodes and fans. Check it out.

Thx, but this is not really what I'm looking for. This is software based, and I wanted something hardware based. Why? Well, so I can monitor my temperature and change it without leaving whatever game I'm playing or movie I'm watching. Also, seems kinda expensive.
But thanks a lot for the suggestion tho'.

 

[Exanimis]

Ohh ok.
I had to read it a couple of times, and try to understand what you wrote. Sorry.
So what you mean is this?
Fan/Light ---> [This Box] ---> Mobo

Exactly, the device stops power to the light/fan until it hears music then pulses to the music.

 

[Odin75]

Exactly, the device stops power to the light/fan until it hears music then pulses to the music.

Ok. Good. And where is this thing supposed to be placed? Even the 3.5" drive bay is too big for this. Is it inside the case? and if it is, are you supposed to open it up every time you need to use it? But if you think about it, doesn't make sense. I'm kinda confused still.

 

[Exanimis]

Usually it will come with 2 sided tape or velcro to strap it to an out of site wall inside the case, the picture does not do it justice it is probably only 2.5x1x1 inches in size. maybe 3x1.5x1.5.

But yes you hide it inside the case and as for turning it on and off it probably comes with a switch that you put in one of your open PCI slots in the back like THIS

 

[Odin75]

Usually it will come with 2 sided tape or velcro to strap it to an out of site wall inside the case, the picture does not do it justice it is probably only 2.5x1x1 inches in size. maybe 3x1.5x1.5.

But yes you hide it inside the case and as for turning it on and off it probably comes with a switch that you put in one of your open PCI slots in the back like THIS

Ok, thanks for your help.
Well, maybe this is not good for me. Since I want something of easy access, and reaching behind my case everytime is just not my passion. So the Vantec Nexus 305 seems like my only possibility to what I'm looking for. But I'm still not happy with the idea. So yeah, I'm still open for other alternatives.

Damn LightBus, why do get discontinued on me?

 

[W6FO]

Odin:

Check this out. I will be using it on my next build to control 3 fans and a couple lights. It's simple, it works, and it's reasonably priced.

- JT

 

[Exanimis]

Lol, the box sitting on my desk behind the pci switch belongs to that product, i'm using one too. I don't get how to plug the lights into it yet they are a different pin size

edit: lol i looked again and you can actually see it in th right corner of the image!

 

[blendingnoise]

my sunbeam rheobus apparently controls lights also according to the documentation and the extra bits I got in the box. I don't have lights so I don't know how it works. The knobs go from fully off to 12v (led changes colour at 7v). 20 watts per channel according to manual. Hope that helps

jabtech has them for 13$.

edit: just saw video - don't know about the sound activated flashing lights and how that would work.

 

[Odin75]

Odin:

Check this out. I will be using it on my next build to control 3 fans and a couple lights. It's simple, it works, and it's reasonably priced.

- JT

Yeah, I was checking that out. But would only allow me to turn the lights on/off. Nothing more, and nothing less. I'll rather expend just a little more, and get a Vantec NXP-305. Looks slightly cooler, and allows me to have sound sensitive lights(included).
But still man, thanks a lot for the suggestion.

Lol, the box sitting on my desk behind the pci switch belongs to that product, i'm using one too. I don't get how to plug the lights into it yet they are a different pin size

edit: lol i looked again and you can actually see it in th right corner of the image!

I'm confused. The only thing that I can see in the right corner is a black box. So..that can't be it since the thing I was referring to was gray.

my sunbeam rheobus apparently controls lights also according to the documentation and the extra bits I got in the box. I don't have lights so I don't know how it works. The knobs go from fully off to 12v (led changes colour at 7v). 20 watts per channel according to manual. Hope that helps

jabtech has them for 13$.

edit: just saw video - don't know about the sound activated flashing lights and how that would work.

Oh, I've saw those searching. Don't quite like them. It's just not my taste. But yeah, that is just personal preference.

 

[Exanimis]

Odin:

Check this out. I will be using it on my next build to control 3 fans and a couple lights. It's simple, it works, and it's reasonably priced.

- JT

Sorry I was referring to THIS controller when I mentioned the picture and the box in it.

 

[cantankerous]

The Sunbeam Rheobus is highly recommended for controlling fans and lights. Very solid build, looks great and fans can be turned off with a satisfying click of the knob. The Vantec are 7-12v, the Sunbeam if off-12v. Much better imo.

 

[Odin75]

The Sunbeam Rheobus is highly recommended for controlling fans and lights. Very solid build, looks great and fans can be turned off with a satisfying click of the knob. The Vantec are 7-12v, the Sunbeam if off-12v. Much better imo.

Oh, I see. I went again and checked the video when they review the Vantec Nexus NXP-305, and it says that it can be controlled from 0v-to-12v, so that's why I though about it. He says it on "00m:50s". And somehow, I just don't like the look of the Sunbeam Rheobus. I don't know why.

I was thinking of maybe controlling lights with one controller, and controlling fans with a whole different one. Maybe a Superflower Fan Master SF-609 , or a Sunbeam Windmill, as I said before. But I'm also considering the Scythe KAMA METER. I saw it just now looking through newegg's stuff.
I also saw this iCute iGuard. Seems nicer to my taste since it displays RPM and temperature at the same time for all it's components. But I don't find a place where they sell it. So yeah, Temp, and RPM are actually the only 2 things I was looking for in a fan controller with display.

Well, I have those things as possibilities, nothing for sure so far. There might be something better that I haven't looked at yet, maybe. I'll post pictures of how each combination would look in my future black Lian Li Pc-7 Plus II case. Why? Well, I'm bored.

Thx for all the help so far.

 

[blendingnoise]

Just paint it whatever colour you want. There are 2 screws and you just have to pop the knobs off and push the leds in to remove them. Mine took a couple of minutes to sand down for the paint to stick, 1 coat of primer from a spray can and 2 coats of matte black and done.

 

[Odin75]

Just paint it whatever colour you want. There are 2 screws and you just have to pop the knobs off and push the leds in to remove them. Mine took a couple of minutes to sand down for the paint to stick, 1 coat of primer from a spray can and 2 coats of matte black and done.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/8862/fullfrontlv3.jpg

Nice job man. Looks better than stock indeed, but there's still something in it that doesn't make me attracted to it. You know, everyone thinks differently. That's why I would look for an alternative, since I want something that is both: functional, and appealing to my eyes.

By the way, can you explain how do yo paint your stuff. I've read before that people sand their stuff, and then paint it. But I never heard of putting primer before. So yeah, I want to know how to do it correctly, because I don't even know what primer is or even less what it is for. Here are some pictures I took last time I visited Lowe's a few days ago:

(Spray) - click for bigger






(Primer) - click for bigger


(Sandpaper) - click for bigger



So, what combination should I be looking for here? Or should I visit some place else?

Thx in advance for any help.

 

[blendingnoise]

I went to home depot and picked 2 of the same brand primer and matte black in spray cans. There are recommended brands if you want the glossy look. I went for a matte finish as I wouldn't have to worry about clear and figured it would hide mistakes easier.

I lightly sand NEW items so that primer has a chance to stick. Older stuff I sand more. Then the matte spray on top sticks to that evenly. It is going to chip and peel a bit on the edges. I had some spot were magic marker came to the rescue. I could have done better with better prep and waiting till it was warmer to paint but it looks good enough for me. There are some really good painting guides here and other places so just follow those. The more effort and time/prep you do, the better the look.

Home depot etc don't have all the grades of sandpaper so I just grabbed a rough and fine grit one for my pruposes and made do with it. Try an auto part store for sandpaper?

I would say that the second FLAT (spray) can and the PRIMER can look like what I got but different brands. The lid is supposed to look like what the spray looks like I think.

 

[Exanimis]

By the way, can you explain how do yo paint your stuff. I've read before that people sand their stuff, and then paint it. But I never heard of putting primer before. So yeah, I want to know how to do it correctly, because I don't even know what primer is or even less what it is for.

Primer is a neutral color paint that is used to "prime" or ready the surface to accept other paint. Typically primer sticks to surfaces better, and paint sticks to primer better than surfaces. Its like an undercoat. Ever see cars driving around with ghetttoooooo gray color that is not shiny but matte finish? That's primer

Primer is usually gray or beige

 

[Odin75]

Primer is a neutral color paint that is used to "prime" or ready the surface to accept other paint. Typically primer sticks to surfaces better, and paint sticks to primer better than surfaces. Its like an undercoat. Ever see cars driving around with ghetttoooooo gray color that is not shiny but matte finish? That's primer

Primer is usually gray or beige

Ohh ok. Thanks for that. So yeah, I'll pick a can of primer then.