homemade phase cost?

[shortbus_]

about how much would all the parts for a vapor phase change system cost and where can i get the parts?

what is the best compressor/evaporator?

[ailijic1985]

first here are some links for you read all of them if you are serious about doing this yourself
how to build and fill a system (http://www.overclockers.com/tips1032/)
refrigerants (really technical) optional read (http://st-support-cooling-electronics.web.cern.ch/st-support-cooling-electronics/CWGWeb/TABLE8-5.PDF)
how to seal your system from condensation (http://www.phase-change.com/index.php?action=Articles_page&cat=Guides&id=25&page=1)
a great thread (56k beware) lots of info and links and PRICES (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=241697&perpage=30&pagenumber=1)
start here for basics and then come back at the end to get better understanding (http://oberon.ark.com/~airekool/rb2.htm)

that being said you want to find a compressor 1/12-1/4 HP. you can get this from refrigerators, dihumidifiers, freezers, and AC units. I suggest headding to the local junkyards of yard sales. the unit doesnt have to work just the compressor. make sure you know what kind of refrigerant it uses and if it uses oil (explained in the links)
cost free-$50

next you will need to get the stuff to build the evaporator and condenser since the ones that came with the unit will probaly be the wrong shape or size or be poorly built. you can mod the items that came with the unit but you will still need these tools.
torch (propane) $20-$40
flux $5-10
acid core plumbing solder $5-10
copper tubing (depends on what you are making buts its pretty cheap)
a vice to hold the pipe or a piece of ceramic tile for sodering
(dont use cement it cold blow up)
copper cleaner fine sand paper (cheap)
and tools that a normal guy would have

capilary tube (cheap)

optional stuff
a temp sensor (tcv valve?) 20-40
a resivor 40
drier 10-20
view glass 10-20

refrigerant (depends on which one you choose)
filling free if you do it yourself (see guide) otherwise 20-40

much of this stuff can be found in your house or at junkyards so it pays to look around

the numbers may not add up to it but you will pay between 100-250 depending

again please read the links and if you hurt yourself I am not responsible.

[water_cooler 20]

acid core plumbing solder $5-10

Don't use that acid core solder is only for low psi plumbing if u use it to solder your cooler together it will most likely have multiable leaks and maybe pop

use high temp brazing rod
When looking for a rod i would get DYNAFLOW because its easy to use and dosen't need flux

and don't get a propane trouch get a mapp gas trouch they cost alittle more but the make the job easier

[shortbus_]

i have an old window a/c unit so i can see what i can find in that an get back to you.

[shortbus_]

darn.. the compressor was far to large and over 1/2 hp :/

looks like im going back to the dump :P

i bought a bunch of copper tubing, fittings, a mapp gas torch, and a flexible hose for my suction line. ive already started fabricating my liquid cooled condensor, and hopefully ill be able to get the rest of the fittings and some 5/8" tubing for an accumulator tomarrow. what kind of filter drier should i buy? a sporlan or just one of the little bullet ones? also what type of fitting will get me from the 1/4" female on the drier to .028 for the capillary?

heres my plans...

http://wick.mobconnections.com/cooling.jpg

[squeakygeek]

Is it bad to have a compressor over 1/2 HP? What makes a compressor too powerful?

[shortbus_]

it was just too big and loud thats all. im sure it would actually better, but not in a practicle sense

[Duke Blackfist]

Watercooling your condensor? Is that a fairly standard practice (or as standard as you can get among people who freeze their CPUs :D)?

[squeakygeek]

Originally posted by shortbus_
it was just too big and loud thats all. im sure it would actually better, but not in a practicle sense

So you consider phase change cooling your computer to be practicle as long as the compressor is small? :p

[DeathONator]

I thinking about putting together a phase change rig as well... Although I dunno if I should, considering I might not have enough time to invest in it, and I will, hopefully, be going to the Coast Guard Academy for four years starting in the summer. Maybe I'll just have to do it sometime down the road.

[hennyo]

yeha i was gonna build my own phase change system as well right now i have a 1/2 to 3/4 horse airless sparyer compressor that needs no oil, so far the only thing ive done is see that i can get the psi over 250 with it. currently im considering using propane as a coolent but am reshearching block design for a pahse change system. and if anyone what happens with pelts at super low temps like using one with pahse change.

wow after reading those links def not using propane now that i know that i could use argon. i nvr knew that i could get consisent near liguid nitrogen temps with what i had.

if your thinking that what im making is gonna be really noisey your right and wrong it will make alot of noise but not in the room the computer is in. this is because the garage is like 10 in from the back of my computer and we have really good insulation in the wall so im gonna cut a hoel in the wall runs the tubes thru and seal it. thus insane cooling wiht quite atmoshere, yay for icf and i do have a rotary hammer to go thru the wall.

[squeakygeek]

wow after reading those links def not using propane now that i know that i could use argon. i nvr knew that i could get consisent near liguid nitrogen temps with what i had.

Won't you need a cascade system to use argon?

[HungryForHertz]

Originally posted by squeakygeek


Won't you need a cascade system to use argon?

Yup.

Anyway, the cost of a phase change system can vary between $60 and $3K+ because a phase change system covers many many different types and set-ups, from simple single stage (Prometia Mach II ((simplified version of what you are going to have a go at)), as simple as it gets, still not easy to understand and get right) from a quad cascade for LN2:eek:. Very different things.

I hope you really know what you are doing because it is not easy to do. Much easier in theory than it is in actual practice. I'm not entirely sure about your set-up either. It may just be me:rolleyes:

[HungryForHertz]

Also: An over-sized compressor can cause too lower suction pressures, it removes vapour too fast for the system, if the system is better suited to a less powerful compressor.

[squeakygeek]

Originally posted by HungryForHertz
Also: An over-sized compressor can cause too lower suction pressures, it removes vapour too fast for the system, if the system is better suited to a less powerful compressor.

A "home made" system can be made to be suited for a more powerful compressor if need be. A low suction pressure is good because the refrigerant will boil at a lower temperature.

[hennyo]

i was planing on useing a water ciller i have to cool the condenser and not running straight argon cause i only have like 250 pounds from what i understand to run straight argon i need like 300 to 350 pounds. i also dont know what this compessor will do with presure on the intake i think it will do more presure all these measurements were done with air into a tank nothing else.

I was also running if i charged the system could i possibly use some of the argon to cool the condensor coil if it made a lot cause of the compressors power.

[squeakygeek]

Originally posted by hennyo
i was planing on useing a water ciller i have to cool the condenser and not running straight argon cause i only have like 250 pounds from what i understand to run straight argon i need like 300 to 350 pounds. i also dont know what this compessor will do with presure on the intake i think it will do more presure all these measurements were done with air into a tank nothing else.

I was also running if i charged the system could i possibly use some of the argon to cool the condensor coil if it made a lot cause of the compressors power.

You can't just replace propane with argon and expect it to work... you need multiple compressors in multiple separate systems all in a row, one cooling another, which cools another, which cools what you want to be cold. Stick with the propane.