ice maker.. chiller? vapochill style?

[juliendogg]

ok, so here's what i got.


http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/10.jpg

http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/11.jpg

http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/13.jpg



The unit appears to be in working condition. One problem is that it runs on R12 refridgerant. I suppose i would need to convert the compressor to run r134a or something different? Any ideas there? Also, ideally i'd like a setup where the evaporator mounts on the CPU rather than trying to build a water chiller. I have some serious space limitations here. Anyway...


What would you do?


J.

[Mustanley]

Got more info on the compressor other than the type of refridgerant? HP rating, pressure?

[juliendogg]

i have been able to find that it's a 1/8HP compressor. I'm unsure of the pressure ratings. Refridgerant charge is 5oz r12. I'm sure i can find out more after i take the parts out of it, (if i decide to do so) and check out individual serial numbers...

thanx

J.

[Mustanley]

1/8 HP sounds a little weak for a waterchiller but I think it would work well in a direct die application. And there no reason to convert to r134A if you don't have too. The r12 has a lower boiling point than 134A and thus colder temps.
I don't know much about the mechanics of converting the evaporator head into a cpu die evaporator head so hopefully some of the more knowledgable members can chime here.

[juliendogg]

this is what i was hoping to do with the system, i don't really have the space for a waterchiller, but i've looked at the components, and i could make a small external box for the compressor, or possibly even fit it into my case, and place the condensor where my rad is now.. woo hoo that would be awesome.

I thought that i could examine the evaporator on the machine, roughly calculate the internal volume of it, and design a copper block of the same internal volume.. run the cappilary tube into the block.. should work yeah ?

next problem, how to switch out the evaporator without releasing the coolant. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

2morrow i will gut the thing, get all the parts layed out and snap some shots. :D.


J.

[water_cooler 20]

changing the compressor to R134a would be a hassle because
R12 uses mineral oil while R134a uses POE oil so u would have to get all the oil out of the compressor and replace it w/ POE oil to use R134a
So I would use a gas that has the same oil like R22,R409,
R290(aka propane),R502, R12

note: both R12 and R502 are very hard to find
so R22 is the easiest to find and its much colder then R12 and R134a but u need a EPA lisence to buy it
but the easiest and cheapest would be R290(propane) and its almost as cold as R22 but it flamable so if u use it be very careful

[juliendogg]

Originally posted by water_cooler 20
changing the compressor to R134a would be a hassle because
R12 uses mineral oil while R134a uses POE oil so u would have to get all the oil out of the compressor and replace it w/ POE oil to use R134a
So I would use a gas that has the same oil like R22,R409,
R290(aka propane),R502, R12

note: both R12 and R502 are very hard to find
so R22 is the easiest to find and its much colder then R12 and R134a but u need a EPA lisence to buy it
but the easiest and cheapest would be R290(propane) and its almost as cold as R22 but it flamable so if u use it be very careful

Thanx!, I have a friend who says he can get me some R12 if i need it. :cool:

anyone have tips on designing the evaporator?


J.

[lclark2074]

As for idias to put it in case heres a link (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2425948#post2425948) four it and i may sugest www.phase-change.com thay will show you how to buld a CPU block. I hope this will help.

[juliendogg]

Originally posted by lclark2074
As for idias to put it in case heres a link (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2425948#post2425948) four it and i may sugest www.phase-change.com thay will show you how to buld a CPU block. I hope this will help.


Thanx Thanx!!


here are some pics, i took the unit apart and robbed the compressor/evaporator/condenser/thermostat controls.

the components are in working order, the condenser gets hot, and the evaporator gets wicked cold :D. There is a timer in the control box which sets a on/off cycle so that the ice cubes would drop from the cold plate, i will need to rewire it without that.

i did some research and found this, it matches the setup i have pretty much.


http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/drier.gif


here are some pics of the components


http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/14.jpg

http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/15.jpg

http://205.244.100.20/icemaker/16.jpg


Ok, the one huge question i have right now, is how to remove the evaporator coil to replace with a block without releasing the r12????? Any experts got ideas on that one?

Thanx again u guys! this is something i've been wanting to do since i started watercooling a couple years back but i never happened across the components before, not for free anyway :D.


J.

[juliendogg]

Ok, correction. This setup does not have a txv. The coolant is passed through a normal capillary tube. I mistook a component designated as the "hot gas valve" as a TXV. The setup looked similar to the one i posted above. However, the hot gas valve is specific to the icemaker. It's purpose is to bypass the condenser and send the hot gas back through the evaporator to release the ice cubes at the end of the harvest cycle. Otherwise they would stay frozen to the evaporator. I removed this component from the loop. Now i have only the compressor, capillary tube, Evaporator, collection tube, and condenser. I have the setup temporarily mounted on a board. I ditched the thermostat, and all of the other uneccesary electrical components. The system has been running wide open for the past 2 hours or so. The evaporator is very cold, and the temporary fan i'm using to cool the condenser os working very well, it's barely warm to the touch. :D.

i am having so much fun today :D:D.


J.

[Mustanley]

Can you take a temp reading of the cold plate? It'd be very interesting to know what temps it's capable of.

[juliendogg]

Mustanley, i don't have a probe capable of reading that low on hand. I plan on getting one tonight or tomorrow so i will post on that as soon as i can :D.


J.

[lclark2074]

That condenser is nice size to put ain a case.
TXV is to big anyway better stick with cap tube.
As fore taking the R12 out. take it to hivac tec. thay have the recovery stuff:)

[juliendogg]

i'm going to try an find a good temp probe that will read low enough when i go to town today, i will post some temps when i get them. Although the evap temps will probably be very different after i add a diff cap tube and evaporator.

About coolant.. would it be possible to use a bullet valve and then crimp and seal the lines, then just run new lines from the bullet valves? perhaps i could do that without losing much if any of the R12? I'm jus shooting in the dark here. I'm trying to get together a parts list so i can place an order online and get everything i need.

i'm going to replace the cap tube with 12' .026, i will have the evaporator block made, or make it myself. That only leaves the tubing and valves/fittings. I would like to find some suitable flexible tubing for the suction line, and wrap the cap tube around the outside of the suction tube.


J.