Part Time Chiller, any help?

[skahtul]

I am currently building a system that will be water-cooled. My system will be sitting on top of my mini-fridge. The fridge will have a large reservoir in it for main cooling. The computer case will have a small radiator/fan setup in it for secondary cooling. My idea is to make it so that when I go to a LAN party I can unhook the computer from the fridge and go. When I get home and want to seriously o/c then I can hook it up to the fridge. I need help; does any one know of any type of “quick” couplers that I can install on the fridge and computer so I can disconnect them? I already have the by-pass valve setup for switching between radiator and fridge cooling. What do you think?

[Since87]

Are you expecting the fridge to get your water temp below ambient?

If so, then the radiator in the system is going to be counteracting the chilling of the fridge.

I don't know of any good quick connects for water cooling either.

[skahtul]

Originally posted by Since87
Are you expecting the fridge to get your water temp below ambient?

If so, then the radiator in the system is going to be counteracting the chilling of the fridge.

I don't know of any good quick connects for water cooling either.

When it is "at home" the radiator will be bypassed.

[Since87]

Originally posted by skahtul


When it is "at home" the radiator will be bypassed.

Ah, didn't read closely enough.

[SHODAN]

This should get you started.

*edit*
Link didn't work, go to http://www.usplastic.com and navigate Plastic Products > Tubing and Fittings > Quick Disconnect Couplings and Inserts

[skahtul]

WOW, they have all sorts of stuff like tanks and crap. THANKS, this is what I was looking for.

[SHODAN]

Originally posted by skahtul
WOW, they have all sorts of stuff like tanks and crap. THANKS, this is what I was looking for.

I'm glad I could help. I wish I could tell you how well different kinds work, but I can't. I have however used John Guest push-in connectors (with stiff tubing, rather than soft tubing and inserts), and IME lateral stress on these can relatively easily break the little fingers that grip the tube, causing it to leak.

[HiProfile]

I saw an 'Ultimate Case' review once [blue, 3 fillers on top, 20+ temp probes, 3 res's, 3 pumps in resin - ring a bell ne1?], and the guy wanted it to be able to hot-swap WB's in <1min.

How it was done: high-quality AIR HOSE couplings. He found some high-quality brass [typical] fittings that were leakproof & sealed instantly [normal]. The article mentioned that he wanted to use male ends that seal upon breakaway, but were too big or too expensive. I'm guessing you could put females that seal on the rig & males on the fridge side. you might have to disconnect them in a tub of water to prevent air getting into the fridge side.

[SHODAN]

I think you may be interested in fittings other than those sold by US Plastic; McMaster Carr Supply Company (http://www.mcmaster.com) carries a lot of fittings, but you may have to dig around to find all of them. Here are the other URLs that I hope you find useful:

http://www.johnguest.com
http://www.colder.com
http://www.harvel.com
http://www.fdpp.com
http://www.aifittings.com
http://www.coleparmer.com
http://panamengineers.com

[skahtul]

Thanks for all the links and for all the help everyone. Does anyone think that this is even a good idea? I really want to do the quick coupler system unless someone points out a really good reason not to.

[SHODAN]

Originally posted by skahtul
Thanks for all the links and for all the help everyone. Does anyone think that this is even a good idea? I really want to do the quick coupler system unless someone points out a really good reason not to.

The only caveat I have is that if the mini-fridge can't handle the full heat output of the CPU, then your computer will become unstable under prolonged high load, such as Folding @ Home. :rolleyes: If for one reason or another that's not a problem, e.g. if you have a powerful mini-fridge or don't do run "number crunching" applications, then I think it's a very good idea. :)