Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme

[t_ski]

[page=Introduction]
Introduction
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sunbeamlogo.jpg
I would like to thank Sunbeam (http://www.sunbeamtech.com/) for supplying the review sample.

Features:
Aluminum design, suitable for 5.25" bay
6 fan adjustable function
Input 12V ±10%, output 4-12V ±10% (max output 30 Watt each channel)
Various brightness knob design, the brightness control by Knob


Contents:
Main Panel x 1
Power Wire x 1
RPM Signal Wire for M/B x 2
3 pin to 3 pin Wire x 2
3 pin to 4 pin Wire x 2
User's Guide


Specifications:
<blockquote><table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr>
<th scope="row">Part Number:</th>
<td scope="row">RHK-EX-SV (silver)<br />RHK-EX-BK (black)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">DC Input:</th>
<td scope="row">+12 V (Standard 4-Pin Connector)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">DC Output:</th>
<td scope="row">4V - 12 V DC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">LED Lamps:</th>
<td scope="row">12 Blue LED 5.0 V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">3-Pin Fan Connectors:</th>
<td scope="row">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Fan RPM Knobs:</th>
<td scope="row">6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Dimensions (W*H*D):</th>
<td scope="row">148mm * 42mm * 82mm</td>
</tr>
</table></blockquote>

[page=Packaging & Contents]
Packaging & Contents
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe01sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe01.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe02sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe02.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe03sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe03.jpg)
The Rheobus Extreme comes in typical Sunbeam packaging. The cardboard box is black with a color picture on the front showing the device, as well as specifications and content information listed on the outside of the box.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe04sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe04.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe05sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe05.jpg)
Included with the fan controller is a small paper manual and a bag containing four screws to mount the device. There is a special power cable that connects to a standard Molex connector and allows a pass-through connection for additional devices. The special part about the cable is the proprietary connection to the fan controller, which uses just the 12V power from the Molex connector.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe06sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe06.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe07sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe07.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe08sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe08.jpg)
Sunbeam goes well out of their way to provide some additional cabling here. There are two 3-pin to 4-pin (Molex) converters, two 3-pin extensions and two 3-pin extensions with an additional RPM output to connect to the motherboard.

[page=A Closer Look]
A Closer Look
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe09sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe09.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe10sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe10.jpg)
The Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme comes in two colors: black (shown here) and silver. The front panel is aluminum with a clear acrylic cover attached over the aluminum. This is a six channel fan controller, so there are six knobs on the front. Each knob is made of clear plastic, allowing them to glow blue from the two small blue LEDs behind each knob, and the brightness of each changes based on the setting of the fan speed.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe11sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe11.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe12sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe12.jpg)
Each knob is labeled very subtly with gray lettering. There is a "HI" and "LO" mark for each, as well as a Roman numeral below each channel. The dials operate very smoothly from high to low, and there was not any scratching sometimes seen on other units. Each dial has two small dots on them to signify the dial's position.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe13sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe13.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe14sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe14.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe15sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe15.jpg)
The back of the Rheobus Extreme has all the connections for the power, both input and output. The controller is rated at 30 watts per channel, so there are huge heatsinks attached to each of the MOSFETs on the PCB. The design looks fairly simple, but there were some quality issues I noticed when looking at the circuit board. For one, the fan connectors along the back edge were all seated differently, and did not look very aesthetically pleasing. Granted, this is the back side of the unit, but it makes the unit look like it was made too quickly and without much care. The second thing I noticed was that some of the heatsinks seemed to wobble a bit when touched.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe16sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe16.jpg)
With the unit flipped over, the bottom of the circuit board is exposed. By looking at this side I found the reason for some of the heatsinks to be loose. There are twelve rectangular solder pads that are meant to hold the heatsinks in place. If you look at the lower right pad, you see it is completely missing. Some of the other pads were not holding the heatsinks all the way either.

[page=Performance]
Performance
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe17sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe17.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe18sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe18.jpg)
To test the Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme it was connected to a 12 volt power supply and the individual channels were checked for voltage readings with a Craftsman digital Multi-meter. Four different fans of different sizes were used (one per channel) to load the controller and test the output.

<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel</th>
<td scope="row">LO Setting</td>
<td scope="row">HI Setting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 1:</th>
<td scope="row">3.4V</td>
<td scope="row">11.06V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 2:</th>
<td scope="row">3.52V</td>
<td scope="row">11.04V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 3:</th>
<td scope="row">3.63V</td>
<td scope="row">11.07V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 4:</th>
<td scope="row">3.81V</td>
<td scope="row">11.09V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 5:</th>
<td scope="row">3.65V</td>
<td scope="row">11.07V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 6:</th>
<td scope="row">3.38V</td>
<td scope="row">10.99V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Source Voltage:</th>
<td scope="row">11.99V</td>
<td scope="row">11.85V</td>
</tr>
</table>

From this chart you can see the voltage drop of the controller. The source voltage was reading 11.99V when all of the channels on the controller were set to low, and the voltage dropped to 11.85V when the channels were set to high. The voltages ranged from 10.99V to 11.09V at high speed, and from 3.38V to 3.81V at low speed. I believe that the amperage and wattage ratings on the fans will have an effect on what the final voltage value will be, which accounts for the variation in the low-speed voltage output from channel to channel. The high-speed voltage output does lose some voltage from the rheostats, but the loss is within 10% and considered normal. However, users should be warned that many fans out there need 5 to 7 Volts to start spinning. If the knob is turned all the way down 3.4 to 4 Volts may be too little to get the connected fans moving. If this is the case, the fan speed control needs to be turned up until the fan starts, then it can be adjusted back down to the previous level.
[page=Update]
Update
Sunbeam read the original review of the Rheobus Extreme and listened. Since then, they have worked to tweak the Rheobus Extreme and have sent me a newer version to correct the problems I found in the original. To recall the original faults I found during the review:

Fan connectors along the back edge were all seated differently
Some of the heatsinks wobbled a lot
Lower right solder pad missing, and other pads were not holding the heatsinks all the way
Large voltage drop (as much as 1V off the top end)


http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe19sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe19.jpg)
The original Rheobus Extreme Sunbeam sent me is on the left, and the newer one is on the right. Since the review I had gone through and straightened all the fan connectors on the original unit by hand, and the new version is just as straight. Also, though it is a little harder to tell from the picture, the large heatsinks are straighter, too, and definitely more secure. All of the "heatsink wobble" of the original unit is now gone.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe20sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe20.jpg)
On the bottom of the unit, the printed circuit board is now covered with a sponge material. This helps to protect the PCB from shorting out and at the same time helps to protect it from damage.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe21sm.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Sunbeam/RheobusExtreme/images/sbrbe21.jpg)
Sunbeam has removed some of the resistors on the power lines. In the original unit on the left, multiple resistors can be seen in each of the red boxes. On the right, the new unit only has one resistor inside each of the red boxes. How this translates into the voltage readings is reflected in the table below.

<table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="ramtable" width="450">
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel</th>
<td scope="row">LO Setting</td>
<td scope="row">HI Setting</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 1:</th>
<td scope="row">.019V</td>
<td scope="row">10.55V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 2:</th>
<td scope="row">.021V</td>
<td scope="row">10.56V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 3:</th>
<td scope="row">.023V</td>
<td scope="row">10.61V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 4:</th>
<td scope="row">.02V</td>
<td scope="row">10.52V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 5:</th>
<td scope="row">0V</td>
<td scope="row">10.64V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Channel 6:</th>
<td scope="row">0V</td>
<td scope="row">10.63V</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Source Voltage:</th>
<td scope="row">11.84V</td>
<td scope="row">11.44V</td>
</tr>
</table>

Surprisingly, Sunbeam has changed the voltage range. The original Rheobus Extreme was rated between 4V and 12V, but the new version is 0V to 12V. I checked the new package and the new manual, but neither of them reflected this change. Then I checked the website, and found that the voltage has been changed in one instance (under "Specifications") but not the other (under "Features").

With the first review sample I found that the voltage dropped nearly one volt (as much as 0.86V to be exact), which I felt was a bit too much. With the latest sample the number is about the same ( as much as 0.92V). However, this time I crunched the numbers and realized that the high-end output is still within the rated specification of 10%, and the voltage probably seems very low due to may aging PC/XT power supply. Also, the output voltage will depend a lot on which fans are used and how much voltage they are supplied. Channel 1 supplied 10.55V with all six fans running at full speed, but that voltage rose to 10.84V when channels 2 through 6 were turned all the way down.
[page=Value & Conclusion]
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme sells for $34.99.</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>

Six channels
Rated at 30 watts per channel
Additional adapter cables included
Blue LEDs light up control knobs

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>

Front panel may not match aluminum cases
LEDs may be too bright for some

</td></tr>
<tr><th>9.0</th>
<td>
The Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme fan controller is somewhat unique in that is provides users with six channels with variable voltage from <strike>4V to 12V</strike> 0V to 12V. Many other models have maybe four channels at most, and some that have six do not even provide complete variable speed control on all the channels. Add to that the fact that each channel supports up to 30 watts and the Rheobus Extreme stands out from the crowd. Each knob lights up with blue LEDs and changes in brightness as the voltage is raised or lowered, but they may be too bright for some users.<br />
<br />
There were a few things that I did not like about the unit. The front panel is aluminum, but it is covered with a clear plastic bezel. This may mean that the front might not match all the black cases out there, especially the aluminum ones. The other thing that may be an issue is the brightness of the LEDs. However, both concerns are mostly a matter of preference and each user will have their own opinion.<br />
<br />
Overall I am pleased with the updates Sunbeam has made with the Rheobus Extreme, as those updates fixed my major concerns. More importantly, I am pleased with Sunbeam and how they listened to my criticism and worked to bring their customers a better product. I have dealt with other companies before that did not take kindly to a reviewer's advice. However, Sunbeam took a different route: they listened and went back to the drawing board. When they came back, the new version was much better and definitely put my concerns about build quality to rest. With the new updated version I can officially give the Rheobus Extreme the "Recommended Award" it deserves.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/recommended.gif</td></tr>
</table>

[CY:G]

Thanks for the review, but i would have appreciated a picture of it installed in a case...

[intel igent]

nice review T

only hear good things about these sunbeams so 1 is on my order list :)

:toast:

[wtf8269]

I see some great modding potential out of this fan controller.

[Duffman]

I think i like my Zalmans better.

[HaZe303]

Yeah I prefer my Zalman Multi Fan Speed Controller ZM-MFC1 as well. But i can agree with the reviewer about the blue leds. Even on my Zalman, they are too bright. And two of the channels are red when put to 12v. I woult have liked that all of them where blue, would match my blue theme in rest of the case. I think I will buy me the black Zalman MFC1 Plus 6 Channel Multi Fan Controller instead. Will match my TJ09 black case. And no leds. :)

[Duffman]

i have the same case. The Zalman looks like it belongs in there. The LED's don't bother me too much.

[t_ski]

I onw a Zalman MFC1 also, and I love it except for the two 5V/12V switches and the red LEDs. I know Zalman makes a newer version that has six adjustable channels, but I haven't gone pricing them yet.

[t_ski]

I wanted to let everyone know that Sunbeam made some changes based on my initial review and sent a new review sample to me. The new version is much better in terms of build quality, and the voltage has changed from 4-12V to 0-12V. Take a look at the review for the updated changes.

I applaud Sunbeam for taking the steps to correct the faults I found in the original review. Their willingness to work with a reviewer to solve the "cons" gives them some extra points in my book. :toast:

[Maverick-DBZ-]

Great review. Is there anyway to tell your buying the new revision? Can the knobs be changed?

[t_ski]

When purchasing the controller, look for whether it states the voltage range as 0v to 12v or 4v to 12v. As for the knobs, I don't know, as I never tried to remove them.

[Maverick-DBZ-]

Thanks t_ski I'll look out for that when I go perchance it. If it's possible and if its not too much trouble can you check if the knobs are removable?


Thanks! :toast:

[A3DSAIL]

There were a few things that I did not like about the unit. The front panel is aluminum, but it is covered with a clear plastic bezel. This may mean that the front might not match all the black cases out there, especially the aluminum ones.

I, too, disliked the plastic faceplate Sunbeam screwed to the front bezel of the Extreme. Some may think it looks good, but the shiny smoked plastic just doesn't compliment the brushed aluminum of my case. However, I went through my considerable compliment of screw drivers, torx, square and triangle bits without coming up with anything that would undo those screws.

I was beginning to think I would have to dremel/drill them out when I finally found the proper screwdriver bit at Harbor Freight in a small set of Pittsburgh screwdriver bits ($7.99) that had some uncommon heads, one of which fit the screws perfectly! You can find it in the HF online catalogue at the following URL: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97517

After removing the plastic faceplate, the brushed aluminum shines through!
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/A3DSAIL/EVGA%20Forums/SB_fascia_removal.jpg

Hex-bit marked "CR-V 5/64"
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/A3DSAIL/EVGA%20Forums/SB_fascia_bit.jpg

[Maverick-DBZ-]

Nice work A3DSAIL, I'm glad to see the front plate can be replaced. As you were doing that did you notice you can also replace the knobs?

[A3DSAIL]

No, but when I examined them they look like just a press-fit, although a very firm one — no set screws or glue in evidence, tho...

[Jamie]

How hard do you think it would be to change the LED's from blue to red.

[A3DSAIL]

How hard do you think it would be to change the LED's from blue to red.

Well, it would of course involve removing TWO LEDs from each knob (both blue) instead of just one, so that would increase the time involved. Also, each LED is placed inside a rigid plastic sleeve which positions the LED high enough off the pcb to point into the translucent knobs in order to light them up. This could make it harder to remove the LEDs IMHO.

If you're proficient with a soldering iron, this mod might take a little more time, but it doesn't look too bad depending on how long it would take to deal with the tiny plastic sleeve each LED is stuffed into.

Sorry I can't give you a better answer, but I really don't have the soldering experience to tackle a mod like this. Perhaps someone else familiar with the Rheobus Extreme can contribute here. :o

[Jamie]

Thanks for your help. I appreciate it. As it turns out I am pretty handy with a soldering and I do have a lot of patience so I think I'll order one and give it a try. I just wasn't sure how accessible the LED's were.

[P4-630]

"Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme"...
First time I heared it that I thought it would be a new CPU cooler model by Sunbeam but it's all about a Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme...Fan controller..

[A3DSAIL]

Jamie wrote:

I just wasn't sure how accessible the LED's were.

Once you separate the PCB from the shell, it looks as if you have pretty good access to the solder points underneath and the LEDs themselves. Good luck. Swapping the LEDs would make a good "How To" article.

[Odin Eidolon]

any news of someone that succeeded in swapping the leds? i like the controller, but i'd like to have red for my next mod. Blue is so boring ;)

[freaksavior]

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=61625&highlight=sunbeam

nope :(

[SystemViper]

I picked that fan controller for the wattage it can handle.

[Odin Eidolon]

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=61625&highlight=sunbeam

nope :(

:ohwell: i could find a way to color the leds... or maybe if i cover the knobs with some red paint i could get a red glow

[A3DSAIL]

Here's a close-up of the LEDs on the SRE (one on either side of the translucent knob) and the rigid plastic sleeves that each LED is threaded through as I stated in my previous post.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd281/A3DSAIL/EVGA%20Forums/sre_LEDs.jpg

If anyone successfully mods their SRE LEDs I sure would love to see the procedure written up on this forum!

[A3DSAIL]

FYI: Cruising Petra's Tech Shop I came across this clearance item:

5.25" Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme Fan Speed Controller Rev.1 - Silver (http://www.petrastechshop.com/5surhexfansp2.html)
Regular price: $34.99
Sale price: $24.99

Note: Description notes that this version does not allow fans to be turned off...

[A3DSAIL]

I keep running into great deals on the Sunbeam Rheobus fan controller. Today I see the Sunbeam Rheobus Extreme 6-channel controller here (http://www.svc.com/525frontpanel.html) for $17.99 (both black and silver available) as well as the Sunbeam 4-channel Rheobus fan controller (20 watts/channel) for $7.99 available in both black and silver.