My DIY build

[vab206]

*EDIT* Wow i just realized it should be DIY... oops lolz *EDIT*

so ive got my compressor, condenser, and got an evaporator lined out, now im pretty much down to the little bits and pieces and the big job of charging the system.

ive got a couple questions that im hoping some of the veterans could help me out with:

#1 what are the consequences of running AC current through a switch thats rated for DC, i dont really see much difference as you can run dc through an ac switch. but reason being is that i really wanted to mount 3 of these switches (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/5818/ele-251/Military_Style_Switch_w_Solid_Blue_Cover.html?tl=g 44c153s318) in the front of my system. e-mailed the people and they said that they were rated @ 25A DC. so im not sure if i could use these but if i can lemme know.

#2 what size tubing is normally used in making an enclosure, im planning on using 3/4" tubing, was considering 1/2" but i think it will just be too flimsy and end up bending on me.

#3 is it alright to hook up a phase change without a control board, to me it looks like they only show lower temps at the evap and pause the system from starting until the evap reaches a certain temp. i was considering wiring in a 200w psu i had laying around and just making one of the rocker switches turn the compressor and psu on which would power the rest of my fans and the front temperature display and then i could power on the computer when it reached -20c or so. if control boards do more please let me know lol. wasnt really wanting to spend the money on one but if their absoloutley necessary then i guess ill just have to put my big girl panties on and get over it (no im not a girl).

i may think up other questions if i do ill post them here, i think thats all i got right now though. ive been taking pictures and writing down resources and im going to start a worklog on some webspace.

thanks for any and all help
-Kody

[vab206]

well, google isnt telling me anything bad can happen from running ac current through a dc switch. when i think about it i really dont see why it would matter, not like im going to have 20A on the thing @ 110v anyways, now does anyone know where to get (on)-off-(on) military style toggles :p?

[[XC] Lead Head]

Radioshack has them. They are called Safety Toggles , or Toggle Switch w/ Safety Cover

[one_servant]

well, google isnt telling me anything bad can happen from running ac current through a dc switch. when i think about it i really dont see why it would matter, not like im going to have 20A on the thing @ 110v anyways, now does anyone know where to get (on)-off-(on) military style toggles :p?

Yes sir, you shouldn't have an issue with that at all. Those switches are so "meaty" that you'll never try to pull too many amps through them. :up:

[vab206]

well, i was told today that unfortunatley they may be meaty enough for the amp draw, but the 110 will arc due to the contacts not being far enough away possibly causing a fire or worse. im going to pick up some relays or something that will still let me use these switches because im dead set on them being in my build.

does anyone have any suggestions on the tubing size or the control board issue?

[vab206]

okay i found a relay that i think will work (im not much on relays so if someone can help me out here it would be great!)

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062482&cp=&sr=1&origkw=relay&kw=relay&parentPage=search

now if im using my common sense to its fullest capacity then this uses 12vdc power for the coil and is rated at 10A 125vac throughput? im guessing the 2 leads at the left side of the relay would be for the AC hookup and the single pole on the right would be the loop coming off my toggle switch correct?

[vab206]

so, if you all cant tell already i over think things A LOT lol. never dreamed that they make just the switch covers but guess what.... they do.

Covers (http://shop.vetcosurplus.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=114_121_320&products_id=7573) - 2.49
Switch (http://shop.vetcosurplus.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=114_121_218&products_id=6811) - 3.90
Total = $6.39 for an 25A 125VAC rated switch with a cool cover to boot!

pretty good considering i can get 3 of these shipped to me for what i could get 3 for w/o shipping at frozencpu

[SexyMF]

Components can be sourced from Digikey or Farnell/Newark

[vab206]

so i have a question, if i was to use teyber's evap (stepper) on a 1/3 hp compressor (like the DHS66C10RBU) which refrigerant should i use? the compressor is made for 134a but i couldnt find the list of compatible refridgerants. i have access to a licensed hvac person so thats not an issue, from what i read tho 404a gives the best temps in SS units.

update: the enclosure for my build is being built this week, should have it this weekend. ill have pics posted later tonight on phase-changin.com of what im workin with and details of how it will be mounted, ect.

[teyber]

refrigerant- really what you have access too. I bought a jug of r507a because i snagged it cheap. If r404a was a better price i would buy that. the difference is very minimal but r507a has given lower temps in practice.

r134a means its using ester oil so its compatible with all refrigerants :) r404a, r507a, r290, r22, r402a, r134a, et cetera. r134a means its a lower pressure though.

looking forwards to the enclosure :) what material? what dimensions?

reed

[vab206]

well, got my dads friend who teaches welding at a college near by to make it for me, made outta 1/2" hot rolled square steel tubing. dimensions are 11" (H) X 14" (W) X 22 1/2" (D).

i got pics posted, and before anyone mentions it i didnt realize my tubing was that dirty for my WC loop, i dont know if the UV/Green CCFL combo browned them (its gigabyte tubing) or if ive got a monster growing in there somewhere.

pics are @ http://phase-changin.com/index.php?page=Thread&postID=3#post3

[vab206]

UPDATE!

My enclosure arrived today, ran into a problem while sanding my compressor, and more... pics are @ http://phase-changin.com/index.php?page=Thread&postID=7#post7

tell me what ya think!

Thanks goes out to Lexington Technical College and all the students who welded on this piece, Lowes for finally getting flat black in, and my girlfriend for letting me paint while she cleaned my house :D

[sjg0]

Nice!:up:

[vab206]

ya i couldnt find masking tape ANYWHERE and forgot to get some at lowes, so i just used my hand... luckily us kentuckians have +1 racial to spraypainting

[vab206]

For those that wanna skip ahead and see some pics not on that site, here ya go... finished product (w/o side panels of course)

http://phase-changin.com/shoottothrill-images/worklog/finished1.jpg

http://phase-changin.com/shoottothrill-images/worklog/finished2.jpg

http://phase-changin.com/shoottothrill-images/worklog/finished3.jpg