Nexus Fan Controller

Supplied by Koolcases

The Nexus fan controller has a history of earning a high rating from tech sites
so should this review’s outcome be any different? The final score can change
and for some beauty is in the eye of the beholder and for others it may just
miss the perfect mark. It’s shocking to learn that the Nexus doesn’t “blow
away” the competition.

Koolcases.com supplied
the Nexus Fan Controller knowing that Short-Media would put it under the microscope.
Koolcases, like you, want to know if this product is worth the investment.

Specifications

• 4 Channel Fan Controller
• Adjustable Fan Speed Knob
• Aluminum “U” Type Housing
• Blue LED Light
• Each Channel Will Support 15 to 18 Watts
• Output current up to 1.5 A
• Output voltage 7 V+/- 20% to 12 V +/- 5%
• Fits In A Standard 5’25” Drive Bay.
• Two 3-pin to 3-pin 23.25″ connectors*
• Two 3-pin to male-female 4-pin molex 22.5″ connectors**
• One 6.75″ male to female 4-pin molex power connector***

*length including molex. **length including 3-pin molex to
first 4-pin molex. ***length not including 4-pin molex connectors.

Koolcases.com carries the Nexus fan controller which is made by Vantec. Vantec
have spent a few dollars in packaging presentation. Which is typically the first
thing in the trash but on store shelves it is meant to catch the customer’s
eye. It also adds to protecting the product during shipping.

I’m reminded of Henry Ford’s words; “You can have any color you want as
long as it’s black”. You can have the controller in any color as long as
it is black or silver aluminum.

Vantec have done a tasteful job of the faceplate graphics.

Surrounding each knob is a ring of plastic which is illuminated by an LED behind
the faceplate.

There are five LED lights behind the faceplate.

Modders can change these LEDs to the color of their choice though it will most
likely void the warranty but if warranties aren’t voided…what fun is it?

The PCB has changed over time since the first fan controllers were introduced.
Gone are the large heatsink fins.

NOtice that the fan headers are vertically mounted and not horizontally mounted.
Some may argue this is awkward and others may reason this prevents a connector
from accidentally being pulled off.

Nonetheless the connections are clearly marked which eradicates any chance
of not understanding the connection process.

The power connector is on the right side of the PCB when it is installed. (from
the front of the case).

The Nexus comes with a 6.75″ male to female 4-pin molex connector which
is also clearly marked which end plugs into the PSU line.

While on the subject of connectors the Nexus comes with four fan leads; two
3-pin to 3-pin and two 3-pin to 4-pin molex. Each is nearly 2 feet in length.

Installation

Short-Media planned to snap the Nexus fan controller into place in a Lian Li case.
If familiar with Lian Li cases the 5.25″ bay covers snap firmly into place.
Not so with the Nexus. Why? The Nexus “wings” (not the faceplate itself)
are spaced narrower than the Lian Li drive covers.

The Nexus is the upper and the Lian Li is the lower. The other end not seen
in the previous image has the two in line with each other. The side of the “wings”
also do not feature the Lian Li “bumps” that snap the faceplate into
proper position.

The Lian Li drive face plate is on the right.

Is this a problem? It would be if the Nexus fan controller were designed specifically
for Lian Li cases but it’s not. A set of 4 screws are included to properly anchor
the fan controller in the bay…any 5.25″ bay. Please note that one of
the screw holes was stripped in the review sample. This is not typical can was
easily solved by using a larger diameter screw.

Installation was easy enough. No tools beyond a Phillips screwdriver were needed
but if hooking up four fans then two must be 3-pin molex and two must be 4-pin
molex. If not then get out the solder, shrink wrap tubing and wire cutters…just
like we did.

The fact that the fan connections are vertical raised our eyebrows. It isn’t
wrong but we preferred horizontal connections. It came down to the thought of
an unnecessary right angle to the wires. Again some may say it prevents accidental
disconnection and others may say it bends the wires unnecessarily. Six of one
or a half dozen of the other.

The unit does look nice when installed.

The aluminum does not match perfectly but it’s close. The LEDs are on all the
time and in the dark the do provide a nice accent and aren’t as intensely bright
as competitors.

There is also what may be a “cool” side effect for some with the
LEDs or an annoyance to others. The LED’s illuminate back into the case well
enough to cast a low light level blue glow. It is not overpowering but it is
there. If this is an unwanted side effect then it is an annoyance.

Okay. The Nexus fan controller looks nice. It comes with extra wiring. It is
easy to install and it helps quiet down fans when extra cooling power isn’t
needed. So then, if the opening line to the review is still in mind, why doesn’t
it “blow away” the competition?

The fine print

The Nexus fan controller does support up to 18 watts per channel and that may
seem like a lot BUT…look closer at the specs and notice the rated output amperage
which is only 1.5 A total. Every fan has rated wattage consumption and amperage
draw. Therefore the total amperage of all fans cannot exceed 1.5 amps total
for all channels. Also the total wattage of the fans cannot exceed 18 watts
total for any one channel though 15 watts is a safer margin.

Therefore if an 80mm cooling fan drew 0.16 A and 1.92 watts then 9 of the same
fans would equal a total of 1.44 A and 17.28 watts. One channel could possibly
support all 9 fans and the total amps don’t exceed 1.5 A but in the test system
there were two 80mm. fans at 0.16 A and 1.92 watts and two 120mm. fans at 0.33
A at 3.96 watts.

That makes 0.98 A and 11.76 watts total on only four fans.

You can see how it all adds up quickly. Check the specs of your fans.

The Nexus fan controller also offers a voltage range from 7 volts to 12 volts
meaning the minimum fan speed will be based on 7 volts and the maximum based
on 12 volts.

So what?

The voltage/amperage equation doesn’t make a big impact until compared to a
similar product namely the Sunbeam Tech Rheobus.

It too comes in many colors as long as they are black and silver. The Sunbeam
Tech Rheobus has three advantages. It supports more amperage at 1.67 A. It supports
up to 20 watts per channel. (17 recommended) It has a voltage range from ZERO
to 12 volts which means the fans have an OFF position and the minimum to maximum
RPM range is potentially greater.

While the Sunbeam Tech Rheobus may not have the included wires or fancy LED
rings around the knobs it does feature bi-color LEDs that change color when
passing 7 volts.

The two are, for the most part, equal but if extra wires and LED rings are
the desire the Koolcases.com Nexus fan controller is a good choice. If more
RPM range, higher amp support and an OFF position is needed then Sunbeam pulls
out ahead. This reviewer found that the Sunbeam Tech Rheobus did provide for
better control of fan speed. Both products did the job well.

Conclusion

The Koolcases.com Nexus fan controller is certainly one of the two best manual
fan controllers on the market.