Introduction:

RheoBus – It is hard for me to understand how the name came by for awhile. A minute or two later, I found out it came from Rheostat (variable resistor or potentiometer – like the one I used back in the CB craze days when I kicked up the output to the illegal wattage range and turned it back down before my neighbours started to complain the bleeding over to their TV receptions) – a box that contains/connects variable resistors to increase or decrease the input voltage to the fan(s) thereby effecting the turning speed of the fan and the noise.

The next question I raised to myself was; why do I need one? It would be like after jacking up my engine output only to put a fuel limiter so that it won’t go as fast. Well, not exactly, the rheobus acts as a throttle cable or linkage so that one could dial up or down the speed according to the traffic pattern. Now, I get it. Okay, I want one.

In fact, our own “evangeliz” has a nice article covering; Evercool SCP-A Fan Controller; SunBeamtech Rheobus Kit and Coolermaster Aerogate II. The eye catching fan controller Ultra Cool II was tested here. I can’t help looking into another brand; Super Flower the name becomes popular lately in the hardware industry here in the U.S. The main product lines cover Switching Power Supply, ATX case and Fan Controller. Yet, I’ve found the SF-609F sold under another name “Aspire 609” in different packaging; the third one under TTGI – Fan Master (SF-609). Aspireusa.net does not show the fan controller as part of their product offer. I tried contacting all three companies to find out a bit more about the marketing channel of distribution of the fan controller. Anyway, this does not stop us from having a detail look of the product, another RheoBus or fan MASTER is called.


On the left from Newegg.com is under Aspire brand and on the right Super Flower SF-609


Pictures below show the unit I acquired using my hard earned money in the U.S., priced at $ 24.99 plus $6.95 shipping.





Except the four temp probes were not in the package – 5 different color templates (including one stalled) and a clear acrylic cover on top the choice of color, it is a very versatile and certainly could compliment any chassis one might have.



The replacement probes came a week later – this set of probes consists of two flat and two bulb types. The flat probe has a total length of about 16.75” or 42.5 cm.


The bulb type has a total length of ~31” or 78.5 cm

Here come the problems with a product in my mind. Why weren’t the probes in the sealed package to begin? Why do I get two different types of sensor while the product catalogue shows otherwise? Besides, they are with different length. The 42.5cm “shorty” would make installation under the Heatsink difficult and it barely reaches to the front panel. I will update if “they” ever reply my emails regarding the discrepancy. I placed an order for a second set. I want to know IF it would happen to me again.


I took the picture of the 2nd unit before I opened the box just to show the shrink wrapped retail box is intact.


Okay, everything is there this time, including the 4 probes. But …………………………..
They are all flat type and each measure 31” or 78.5cm in length. Hack a lot better than the short ones.


Left (from 2nd unit) ~2cm: Right replacement probe ~1cm

Let’s continue.


Both units come with 4 sets of 3-pin connector male/female.
All eight of them with identical length 20” or 51 cm, thank goodness




There are four 3-pin connectors for the fans; above the second one to the left are four pairs of connection for the 4 temp probes. Next to it is the power input connector with 4-pin Molex on the opposite end. There are four regulators; three horizontal and one vertical. I will put a temp probe on one of them just to find out how hot it gets. Your sharp eyes should be able to spot the round speaker. By the way, all four fan controls are independent.