FrozenCpu 3.5" Dual-Voltage Baybus Review
Date: Thursday, 12 December 2002
Author: Diceman
Provided By: FrozenCPU

Frozencpu 3.5" Dual Voltage Baybus (w/red & blue led's)

Introduction

Well, I'm back again with another new product from Frozencpu.com. This new design is called the Dual Voltage 3 Port Baybus w/ Blue/Red LEDs (3.5" Bay). This new unit is basically the shrunken version of the monsterously successful 6-Port Dual-Voltage Baybus I reviewed not too long ago. This product comes at a great time in the market with all the 5.25" drive bay accessories out there today, those 5.25" spaces are getting really crowded. Solution? A 3.5" Baybus will do the trick and save a bay, right? Let's see if it's really as nice of quality as it's bigger brother.....read on.....

Product Specs

• 3 independant fan channels
• Bi-Color LED on each switch (High- red, low- blue, Off- off)
• 8W per channel (pre-production units tested stable and safe at 14W on each channel at once, for a total power consumption of 42W across the baybus.)
• Easy Access screw down terminals located on the rear of the PCB instead of the front.
• 4 pin molex connection also located on rear of PCB for easier access.
• Pot located at top of unit (one for each switch) for adjusting the low voltage level. Adjusts from 7-9V (Higher voltages are required for fans such as sunons that won't run at 7volts)

The Kit w/ 3 Optional Tailed Molex Connectors

Rear Of Baybus

Front Of Baybus

From the instant I took this unit out of it's round tube shipping package, I could tell it wasn't gonna dissappoint me in the quality arena. It's made just as well as it's bigger brother ( 6-port) and i'm guessing with the same red/blue led's and ease of assembly and use, it's gonna be another winner......but let's see shall we?

What's Included In The Kit

• The baybus PCB which comes with all 3 switches and LEDs pre-installed.
• A lexan drill template for the 3.5" bay cover (already has adhesive installed on the plate for mounting)
• 3 LED clip holders for the LED holes
• Detailed instructions explaining installation and setup
• 1 year warranty against defects.
  

Installation

Installing this kit was as easy as it gets. Although It came with some lengthy Instructions, I didn't even need to crack them open. I've done enough of these installs I could do it blind-folded. However, that's not a say a first-time buyer couldn't. If you own any kinda drill ( even a not-so-powerful cordless one) you can dooo eeeet! It took me about 5 mins to get this unit up and running. Simply attach the included acrylic template by peeling the adhesive tabs and sticking squarely on the faceplate, then drill away. After that's done, you're ready to assemble...that's it!

Template Attached

Template Drilled

Template Ready :o)

Ok, with the drilling done, simply wipe off the faceplate dust and insert your little black led bezels into the faceplate. Now, remove the first row of "nuts" (don't laugh! ) off the three toggle switches, just line up the baybus to the faceplate and "insert". After an hour or two of jigglin` and wigglin` it, it should be securely fastened and lookin` good! Now just put the "nuts" ( STOP LAUGHING!) back onto the three toggle switches and secure them about "finger-tight plus alittle" <----technical terminology! :o)

Assembled and Powered

Assembled and Powered

Money Shot :o)

One of the really nice things about this design is the fact that you can access the fan connections while it's installed on the faceplate!. That's a highly under-rated feature folks.....it's totally worth having and thanks to FrozenCPU.Com for bringing back that design feature from the 6-port to this 3-port model. The sencond nice feature here is that you can adjust the onboard "pots" for tuning the 7v switch from 7v-9v just in case you need alittle more juice to spin-up your particular fans, or if you just have a desired setting.

All Switches @ 12v

All Switches @ 7v

Now it's all tested and powered up ( which is important.....always test first first! ), it's time to connect whatever bare wire leads you may be wanting to control with this beauty. Remember you can control up to 8W with each switch and in most cases that'll do a couple of 80mm fans each, or even a couple 92mm's or 120mm's! Please be sure to check the wattage requirements on the particular fans you'll be using. I'm gonna spare you guys with my usual 6 pics of connecting the bare wires to the back of the unit. If you really need to see that happening, please refer to the big brother of this unit, my 6-port Dual-Voltage Baybus Here. :o)

Final Pics

Mmm...

Mmm....

Mmm...

Goood!

I think the 3.5" Dual-Voltage Baybus makes a fine addition to my setup ( so you know, I know it's not painted to match yet ...don't email me about that....lol). It fills out that last bay nicely for the moment. I also think that paired with the 6-port baybus it makes for tons & tons of options. Just imagine all the stuff you could run with this many switches! :o) Not to mention look good doing it.

Conclusion

I can whole-heartedly recommend this unit to anyone running outta 5.25" bays and looking for that little extra control over some of the power accessories. Even if you have plenty of free 5.25" bays, this little unit is plenty powerful to take care of most of your systems out there, and do it in a tidy little package. Neatness is next to gawdliness, remember that! :o)

Pros

• High Quality PCB Design
• Easy to Install
• Powerful 8W Channel/Switch's
• Kit comes complete w/ Instructions & Drill Template
• Blue/ Red Bi-Color Leds!
• Wire access in back when fully installed!
• Only needs one molex power connection
• Looks Killer installed
• 1 yr defect warranty

Cons

• NONE!

I'd like to thank FrozenCPU.Com for allowing VH to give you guys a closer look at this, and other, new products. I appreciate FrozenCPU.Com's dedication to the enthusiast market and they're constant progression with new products!

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