Installation
Installing the controller is as simple as any other single 5.25” bay device. Simply take off the front plate (if your case has them) for a single slot and slide the controller in. Align it flush with the front of the case. Next if your case comes with tool less bays secure the Adjust 108 with the locking system or if your case does not, secure it with the included screws.
Now all you have to do is attach your fans to the fan wires and the power to an open connector from your PSU. I would strongly suggest that you power the unit directly from the PSU and not from anywhere else. This unit is 36 watts per channel and can potentially (depending on the amount of fans you connect) draw a significant amount of power. Better to ensure that it has all the power it needs immediately available from a plentiful source unshared source. We connected the Adjust 108 using the SATA power connector simply because we had one available. Also it’s much easier than fighting with molex pins to get them to line up correctly.
With the unit installed in a drive bay and all fans and power connected, there is nothing left to do but to power on your rig and start enjoying your new found control!
Testing
Switching the unit on you will first notice the LED lighting. The lights will be lit on only the channels used. We have six 140mm Akasa Vipers attached so it appears the LEDs are functioning correctly.
When the unit is first started all channels output at full speed for 1-2 seconds. Then the unit adjusts power output to the position of the slider. Down for slower, up for faster. The color of the LEDs correspond to the speed of the fans. White for 1-50% blue for 50-100%. The position of the sliders corresponding to this is acceptably accurate.
We ran the unit in a test rig with 6 120mm fans connected for 2 weeks of normal use as a media center PC without a hitch. We were able to maintain good cooling at low sound levels thanks to the Adjust 108. Then we gave it 2 hours with the Akasa’s maxed out and the unit barely got warm and found not a single hiccup in operation.
I assume that the unit provides full power for a second or so to ensure that all the fans start up. It is possible for some fans to run below their startup voltage and therefore won’t come on when the system restarts.
I have this unit and I love it. I had bought the NZXT Sentry Mix which was rated at 50W/channel and it failed to start my fans (Noctua NF-A14) unless I had it at max. Took it back and drove to NCIX store in Mississauga and grabbed the adjust 108. Does what it is supposed to do and powers up all of my six fans without a hiccup. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a reliable fan controller.