View Full Version : waterpump mod?
hi, this is my first time posting, but ive read the boards for quite a while now, and well, ive got a water cooling system that i built my self, and am using a nice little submersible pump in an aquarium that has a 200cfm fan blowing on the water (loud but on reostat)
the cooling system isnt that load, but i hate that, when i turn off my comp at night (for the few rare times that i do, the pump stays on unless i unplug it (a big pain to get behind my desk and do) so i was wondering is there a way to somehow wire a switch of somsort to the front of my case along side of my reostat for my 2 fans, the 200cfm and a custom card cooler fan. ive thought about just some how splicing into the power cord to the pump, but then realized that the damn thign is submerged in water (dangerous)
can anyone think of a nice clean waterproof way to have it hooked to a switch in the front of my comp..\
thanks a bunch guys,
empty
Naeleros
08-30-01, 12:43 AM
I plan a similar thing for my watercooler. I just purchased a switch from Radio Shack that was rated for 110V. I haven't done anything with it.. but.. should be pretty basic from here. I'll have an electrician friend verify which wire goes where.
James
Well Im far from an electrician... But if all you want is a switch for it all you should have to do is cut the wire to the pump and insert a switch on it... that way you wont need to get behind the desk... Place the switch where you would want it in the plugin for the pump and your set... all youd have to do is make sure the switch would be right for the pump, voltage or wattage or whatever...
just my 2 coppers...
Pick up a DPDT Relay from RS (or any other elec. store). And hook it up. It will then cause your pump to come on when the computer turns on (and turn off with the computer) automatically; no manual switches/toggles needed. I seem to remember seeing an article on the OC website somewhere..... I can't seem to pull up the main www.overclockers.com page right now, so I can't...oh wait.. here.. http://www.overclockers.com/tips242/
I have my underwater pump turn on and off with my computer by using a simple power bar (the type that the monitor sits on). I have switches for master power, computer,printer, aux 1 & 2. I have my pump connected to aux 2 (scanner on aux 1). I leave the Aux 2 and computer switches in the on position and turn everything on/off with the master switch. Works well and I don't have to worry about somebody turning on my system with the pump turned off. I should add that my pump rad and fans are in a separate custom made box and that I have them wired so that an AT power supply unit controls everything (I was going to run Peltiers). I wired my pump and 115 volt fans directly to the point where the wall plug attaches inside the PSU.
i think im gonna try the relay thing, gonna look into it a little more a least. the master stip thing sounds like a good idea, but then it wouldnt be a mod now would it? lol i am addicted to modding and water cooling, and love the idea of the pump turning on with my comp, no fonfusion of wheather the pump is on, and so that my girlfriend or somthin doesnt turn on my comp and forget the pump.
thanks again for all the responses. if anyone comes up with anymore ideas let me know. thanks.
Do the relay trick. I did and it works great. My pump comes on when I hit the power button to my PC.
The Coolest
09-02-01, 06:53 AM
Originally posted by AMDGuy
Do the relay trick. I did and it works great. My pump comes on when I hit the power button to my PC.
I never heard of this trick could you please explain it to me?
I'm building a water cooled system myself and have the same problem as empty does.
Originally posted by The Coolest
I never heard of this trick could you please explain it to me?
I'm building a water cooled system myself and have the same problem as empty does.
See my watercooling article here: http://www.overclockers.com/tips505/ for details.
The Coolest
09-02-01, 02:31 PM
I have a 220V in my country so the pump works on AC.
Is this article saying how can I convert a 12VDC to 120VAC?
Originally posted by The Coolest
I have a 220V in my country so the pump works on AC.
Is this article saying how can I convert a 12VDC to 120VAC?
What this mod does is hook the water pump into a relay that connects to your power supply AND the wall plug. Basically when you turn the PC on the relay is actuated by the 12V lead and passes the voltage from the wall socket to the pump. I'd think this would be fine for your 220V but you'd need a relay rated at 220V.
The Coolest
09-02-01, 02:44 PM
Very nice idia thx. I'll try that.
The only thing is cutting the pumps wires will viod its warranty...
Originally posted by The Coolest
Very nice idia thx. I'll try that.
The only thing is cutting the pumps wires will viod its warranty...
True on the wire cutting voiding the warranty, but you have to cut them anyway to get them to pass through the top of the reservoire.
William
09-02-01, 06:15 PM
Originally posted by The Coolest
Very nice idia thx. I'll try that.
The only thing is cutting the pumps wires will viod its warranty...
you can get an extension cord, cut at the appropriate end, and wire the wires from the extension cord into the relay, and then plug the pump in. Voila!
BTW, how hard is this to do?
Originally posted by William
you can get an extension cord, cut at the appropriate end, and wire the wires from the extension cord into the relay, and then plug the pump in. Voila!
BTW, how hard is this to do?
I don't understand what you mean by using an extension cord? But this is a very simple thing to do.
The Coolest
09-03-01, 08:27 AM
Originally posted by William
you can get an extension cord, cut at the appropriate end, and wire the wires from the extension cord into the relay, and then plug the pump in. Voila!
BTW, how hard is this to do?
Great idia, man! I'll use it with out being afraid of vioding the pupms warranty.
AMDGuy>> What he meant was the same thing you offered but using and extension cord instead of the pumps cord, and plug the pump into that moded extension cord
How much does a DPDT Relay cost?
What one should I get?
Originally posted by The Coolest
Great idia, man! I'll use it with out being afraid of vioding the pupms warranty.
AMDGuy>> What he meant was the same thing you offered but using and extension cord instead of the pumps cord, and plug the pump into that moded extension cord
Aahhhhh, I see. That is a good idea. Although with my pump costing $30 I could care less about the warranty.
The Coolest
09-03-01, 02:11 PM
My pump cost me 23.75$ but in Israely money its 100Nis so its pretty high for me... I'll go for the extension cable mod, safer and u get to keep the warranty. :p
r_stripe
09-03-01, 07:42 PM
but using an extension cord, instead of cutting off the end of the pumps cord, how will you get the cord out of the water tank, "Given that it is a submersible pump..........unless you cut a larger hole and use alot of silicone......just a thought. Other than that Great idea.
mikyseee
09-04-01, 01:23 AM
What I did was cut a notch on the top rim of the res to stick the power cord through. Then put some silicon around it and itll be fine.
The Coolest
09-04-01, 04:31 AM
I have a submersible pump but I managed to connect a hose to the pump and it works fine on the outside of the water but it gets very hot.
I made a bong tower and the pump doesn't fit in the pipe so I guess I'll make a different container to contain the pump.
befamfivh
09-04-01, 05:11 AM
So when one uses a relay, does one leave the leads bare, or does it all go in a project box or something?
r_stripe
09-04-01, 12:10 PM
One could leave the leads bare, but I would recommend using some heatshrink tubing on the connectors that attach to the relay, One advantage to this would be if the relay went bad all you have to do is unplug the wires and swap relays, but I'm sure a cleaner installment could be achieved with a project box.......hmmm thinking.... you could use the box and cut a hole for the relay to stick out of, and using a relay socket in the box, you could easily swap relays...........but what are the odds of a relay going bad.
Originally posted by befamfivh
So when one uses a relay, does one leave the leads bare, or does it all go in a project box or something?
I'd use some insulated connectors. If you take a look at my article you'll see how I did it. I used a zip tie to mount the relay to the bottom of hte case for easy maintenance should the need arise.
r_stripe
09-05-01, 11:09 PM
AMD Guy,
One quick question, since your using a 12volt actuated relay to switch the 110v pump, have you noticed any interference caused from the 60hz cycle of the 110AC line drifting over onto your 12volt computer circuits, such as a hum or buzz across your speakser or what not.....just curious.
Originally posted by r_stripe
AMD Guy,
One quick question, since your using a 12volt actuated relay to switch the 110v pump, have you noticed any interference caused from the 60hz cycle of the 110AC line drifting over onto your 12volt computer circuits, such as a hum or buzz across your speakser or what not.....just curious.
The only thing I've noticed is that when I completely power down the system I hear the relay "pop" through the speakers as it opens the circuit.
During normal everyday use there is no interference whatsoever.
Rob Cork
09-06-01, 07:30 AM
Originally posted by AMDGuy
The only thing I've noticed is that when I completely power down the system I hear the relay "pop" through the speakers as it opens the circuit.
During normal everyday use there is no interference whatsoever.
Yeah, I get the same thing - evryone else in the room goes 'what the hell?' and I just tell them it's nothing to worry about :)
Originally posted by YMAN
How much does a DPDT Relay cost?
What one should I get?
As for the price of a relay, I think the one I got cost me just a pound or two - as with most electrical components, pocket change. That's what I love about electronics, everything's dirt cheap :)
For connectors to the relay, I use a molex connector to attach the 12V coil to the psu, and have the relay terminals wired directly into the power cord for the pump.
vBulletin® v3.8.7, Copyright ©2000-2012, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.