Refrigerated Circulation Bath

[Antifreeze]

I have just aquired a Refrigerated circulation bath from work (it was being thrown away).
This baby is designed for cooling lab instruments, and can maintain temps down to -20, and has a built in pump.
I just wondered if there were any problems with taking things this cold (comp does not run all time so i'm worried about the cpu getting damaged cooling then warming a lot)

Also does anyone know what sort of antifreeze i should use.

All help is appreciated, as this is my 1st attemt at water cooling.

[Diggrr]

I've seen these used...very nice.

Your processor will love -20C, but you will have to take steps prevent condensation at the cpu and on the water lines. Using the closed-cell foam, silicon, dielectric grease for the pins, etc..You can find articles that cover this very well on the front page under tips>peltiers.http://www.overclockers.com/topiclist/index21.asp#PELTIERS

I'd also recommend a temperature probe in the cooling water. You'll want to turn the chiller unit on, wait for below ambient water temps, then turn on the computer.

Just a couple of thoughts.

[BillA]

most lab chillers (I have 5, of 3 mfgrs) operate with the compressor always on
if you cycle the compressor over too short a period it will burn out
temp control is achieved by cycling the heater "against" the output of the compressor
actual capacity at -20^C may not be so much

the 1st thing you need to do is to get an Operation Manual from the mfgr

be cool

[JoeCrappa]

Hmm. looks like that refrigeration bath will KILL!!!!! your CPU. Thats not good. give it to me. i'm sure my processor will enjoy it and you should be content that its being well used and not killing CPU's like yours. :D . well...it was worth a try. YOU LUCK DOG!

[Antifreeze]

Thanks for your advice, at the moment i have got it up and running keeping the temp at about 5 - 10 C which means i have no probs with condensation, CPU temp under load is about 27C (an improvement from the 45C it was running at.

As for a manual, that might be a bit hard as it is OLD Made by neslab, but probably installed in the station in the early 80s, still it works fine, so i'm pleased.

The idea of going to water cooling was to reduce noise, but then the compressor is on on this thing, i think it's louder than before, - still at 5 - 10C the compressor does not need to be running all the time, so i'm working on an electronic control system to cut the compressor in when the water has heated up.

Once everything is sorted, i'll probs post some pix.

Till then..

Thanks again
:burn: