Project Condensation

[AntmanMike]

This is a project to run a Pentium 4 system entirely in a mini fridgerator with no waterproofing agents present on any electrical components. I have been gathering information in the threads "Silicon Sealant" and "Will this fridge work?". The first prototype unit was a damaged board that would only make a certain signal when it was working. I ran it in the prototype system and it gave me that signal. It was also definately under 0C. When the new parts come in (when we have the funds), probably a 1.7 or 2ghz Pentium 4 (s423 - Asus P4T, s478 - Asus P4T-E) using our current Swiftech MC462 Heatsink (if we get a s478, we will also get a Swiftech MCX478. The container than prevent condensation is a shaped cardboard box, with a lower end for the CPU and area, and a higher end for the PCI card area. It fits on the upper areas of the fridge, and the CPU is 4 inches from the base of the coldplate. The Swiftech will be mounted on it, lowering that to 2.5 inches, and a 30CFM 60mm fan will be on top of the heatsink, sealed but blowing in air from outside box, making the distance from the fan to coldplate half an inch. the OUT fan is also a 30CFM 60mm and is mounted at where the end of the motherboard is (past last PCI card, in middle area [3 inches from PCI ports]). AGP card is a Hercules Prophet 3, with stock RAMSINKS arctic alumina epoxied down, and a Thermaltake Crystal Orb using the stock TIM. All cables run through a small opening on the box, making air coming in and out VERY difficult. This is all (besides PSU) mounted on the top shelf of the fridge, and condensaition occuring on the Cold plate (fan blows warm air onto it to remove water before it enters mini case, have heatsink epoxied to make cooling more efficient) will drip to bottom shelf, where it will be held, for about a month, which is what i would consider standard maintenence. The raidiator on the back of this is cooled by a GlobalWin 120mm FAN blowing ONTO it, and the PSU is mounted vertically (no ther way the cable would support.)

EDIT:
Adding picture:
http://hardware.clanpages.com/Fridge/fridge.jpg


**Note: Post edited by Newbie_Doo**

This "Tweaknet" project is being conducted by AntmanMike. Overclockers.com is not affiliated with TweakNet in any way, nor are we sponsoring this project. Good luck with your project.

Anthony

[AntmanMike]

what do you think?

bumpbumpbump

[dreadlord79]

Sorry; I'm really tired right now! Are you going to put it into a mini-fridge? If so, cool as long as you can keep it from shorting if the thing ever breaks down and the frost starts to melt. Didn't someone say that a fridge was not made to handle that kind of a load in one of the posts that you made on the other strings?

[AntmanMike]

Fridges can handle the heat if they put out more watts than the PC does. Also, i have it set up so the frost on the cold plate will drip down into a channel into a reservoir on the bottom.

[Diggrr]

I think that to put it correctly, a fridge would have to "remove more btu/h than the pc can generate in that same hour".
The watts rating is the electrical consumption of the compressor, fans, lights etc... Most refrigerators will consume more power than a pc, that doesn't mean it could keep up with cooling it.
If the fridge's cooling power is expressed in watts on the unit, then I would run the victim (computer) and log it's true wattage as nothing runs as the engineer envisions it to. Every component is different. (just check the threads on power supplies)

Shop carefully friend, and Great Luck to ya!

[AntmanMike]

I already have a prototype unit up and it seems to be working correctly. THe video card sends out signal (a bad CPU is in there, but the Video Card sends out a monitor signal when it has power), and the motherboard fans (one in one out of infridge anti-moisture airlocked case.

[Diggrr]

Good Deal.

I see you also took a big step in the right direction in locating that little blast furnace (a.k.a. psu) outside the box. Nice.

Where will the drives be located? If you could locate an old drive box or something, that would take out another big heat generator. I can't think of what the're called...a remote box made for drives. I've seen them in the college's server room.

Definately post back when you've managed to get all the parts together. I'm interested but broke now. Of course, in the middle of winter, the price goes down at Home Depot. ;)

[AntmanMike]

1. Most parts are being supplied by Tweaknet (all parts are at my house, see the TweakNet reviews?
2. Im using advice and information found at the Overclocking forums. Tweaknet - Overclockers.com doesn't mean an affiliation, it's like a biliography.

Also, the hard drives will be on top of the case, unless there is a way i can put them in the fridge without them getting below around 10C. I am excited about this project, and ANY extra information you can give me, I will be extremely willing to receive. :eh?: my PC will be that blue... . Also, all extra water IS drained off into a reservoir. The PSU and radiator are both cooled by the same fan, because of the way its arranged. its half and half. the PSU was not that hard to locate. I saw a Condensor, PSU, and Radiator. Mind you this is a very old fridge, and handles the heat well. I want to even the base of the cold plate on top to make the drying process more efficient.

Also, what should i insulate the mini case (its cardboard) with? I am not skilled with foam... Does it need insulation? I know this is working, also, because the air going in is below freezing, and the air going out is luke warm. I might have a warm air leak (a gap in a seal) which is letting warm moist air in, which will cause condensation..

Post edited by Newbie_Doo. Any "Parts Wanted" posts need to go into Classifieds.

[AntmanMike]

Any Ideas? Maybe I should start mass producing these. The alternative to Vapochill. Now you can cool your entire system. Anyone want to start a joint venture?

[dreadlord79]

1.) I would!

There is a problem though; my girlfriend doesn't let me buy alot of things unless they're for her! I've got her hooked on EQ now, so I might accually be able to get her to let me buy a new monitor and maybe (crosses fingers and starts praying to which ever god doesn't hate me) a new video card. I think the idea is cool and if you can make one that works for AMD (most people on the board seem to use them) you probably could sell them if you could produce and ship in a timely manner.

[AntmanMike]

Video Card and monitor i have already (Modded Hercules Prophet 3 and Compaq TFT8020 LCD monitor)
*edit*
Also, me and somem of my friend wer ethinking about marketing this, but we need to come up with a way that no condensation will occur. We are almost there in this mini fridge here, if it works we can adapt it to case.
*edit 2*
The runoff reservoir can also be used as a water cooling system. Chilled water straight to the CPU :). I have it off right now as im testing the prototype runoff system (2 CD cases, which i will replace with duct tape lined thin carboard.

Post edited by Newbie_Doo

[Newbie_Doo]

Please confine this discussion to the merits of this cooling project.

Overclockers.com requests that ALL posts offering to buy, sell, trade, give, or receive products be confined to the classifieds area. Special exceptions are only made if permission is obtained in advance, and for a good reason or cause like charity.

Further violations of our posting policy in this thread will merit permanent removal of the thread without warning and without recourse. We have clearly defined guidelines for posting in our forums. Please adhere to them.

Anthony

[insanex]

Have you got any pics yet?
:)

As long as you have that water dripping away from the system, all should be well.
It's very difficult to get an airtight system.
Ussing a dessicant is the best comprimise.