Stage One: Autocascade Adventures!

[[XC] gomeler]

I initially planned on building a 2 stage waterchiller for GPU testing. This however evolved into plans for an autocascade chiller, but now I'm getting the desires to build a healthy cascade for personal usage. First though, I'm a firm believer all great projects require a shoddy MSPaint mockup to be perfect.

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Stage 1:
Compressor: Danfoss SC18CLX.2
Condenser: DetroitAC magic condenser (tm)
SLX and HXs: 10 plate brazed steel heat exchangers
Phase separators: SupCo SUD111 copper spun filter/driers
Bypass: normally closed solenoid hooked to a fan cycler, should buffer nicely at start and disengage afterwards.
Metering devices: capillary tube :cool:

I'm really looking forward to building this. I honestly don't have high goals for this build, I'm just looking for a fun alternative to the typical 1st stage of a cascade. If I can get interstage HX down to -60C I'll be happy, anything past that will be icing on the suctionline.

The interesting thing will be using the filter/driers as phase separators. Michael used smaller filter/driers on a build with roughly half the massflow, I'm hoping by doubling the filter/driers on the 1st stage and upsizing the rest I'll have adequate separation. At $5/pop, I won't mine running a few in parallel :shrug:

Already ordered the start components with the last batch I ordered and tomorrow I'll go eBay shopping for the rest of the components. It'll probably take me a month to build this if not longer, but this is happening :up:

First though, it's the weekend so it's time to kick back and toss back a few drinks :toast:

[Ozzfest05]

cant wait to see your progress

[sdumper]

Subscribed this is going to be very cool :--)

[mytekcontrols]

Count me in too :D

Should be a fun build :up:

[yomama9388]

I'll be watching this one :D

[tiborrr]

I'm planning exactly the same but only with AUX and 1st HX and a bit smaller compressor too :)

Subscribed! :up:

[[XC] gomeler]

Compressor, HX, phase separators, buffer tank, and gauges ordered. Need to order more capillary tubing, a NC solenoid valve and coil, a high-pressure cut-out, and a fan cycler. Can't wait to braze some copper :up:

[Planet]

Looks like you will be having some fun.

[Jor3lBR]

gomeler;3604103']Compressor, HX, phase separators, buffer tank, and gauges ordered. Need to order more capillary tubing, a NC solenoid valve and coil, a high-pressure cut-out, and a fan cycler. Can't wait to braze some copper :up:

Subscribed as I have interest in buying something better for my Quad, keep the price list and in the end if you fell like selling the unit we can chat :up:

What will be the size of the finished unit? Well it be easy to move around?

[[XC] gomeler]

Well I'm almost certain this will become the 1st stage to a cascade, so not sure if it or anything like that will ever see the light of day to anyone else but me.

Oh yeah, first toys arrived :cool:
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[Jor3lBR]

Yes I was talking about the entire unit when its done (cascade).

I see well it will be fun to watch it been build too.

[runmc]

So you bought 4 BPHXs ?

[Ozzfest05]

that is what it looks like he must be planning more then one project

[[XC] gomeler]

So you bought 4 BPHXs ?

Yup, saved $4 by buying in bulk. Didn't know till after I ordered, if I had bought 5, I would have saved $20 :mad:


that is what it looks like he must be planning more then one project

Nope, those are just for this project. 4 HXs including the evap.

[teyber]

did you ask for the 1/2" male fittings? they are the smallest and you can fit swagged 1/2" copper pipe in them from lowes :) are they 10 plate?

nice gomster nice :)

[[XC] gomeler]

Naturally, I always get 1/2" male, as yes, 1/2" hard copper fits in there perfectly. 10 plate's from Dudadiesel on Ebay.

[s0lid]

gomeler;3608926']Well I'm almost certain this will become the 1st stage to a cascade, so not sure if it or anything like that will ever see the light of day to anyone else but me.

Oh yeah, first toys arrived :cool:
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Niceee :D
4HXs and Macs keyboard :rofl:

[[XC] gomeler]

My USPS and Fedex couriers fricking hate me. Three SC18CLX.2 delivered in two weeks :p: In the last week I had the expansion tanks arrive(black accumulators, probably only use 1), the compressor, phase separators(filter driers), and the condenser. It's already starting to look like an autocascade, I can see it in my mind.
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First though I'm running into funding issues. I always forget I'm a college student so I naturally used what little money I had for food on refrigeration parts. So, I pulled my old cascade out of storage. I had initially planned on just re-wiring the thing, bolting it to a base, and selling it, but I've decided it could use a minor adjustment or three. To kick things off, I had to get it naked!

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I've got a single-stage on the bench right now but it'll be finished tomorrow(hopefully) and then I can get started on rebuilding the cascade, sell it, and move on with the main project. Be back in a few days with an update :up:

[teyber]

hey mate did you use an oil sep in this cascade?

[[XC] gomeler]

Yup, it's sitting in between the two compressors. Bad shot but if you follow the 1/4" copper line you can see the reddish oil separator hiding behind the accumulator on the 2nd stage compressor.

[[XC] gomeler]

This is being assembled over the next three weekends. Will be attempting R600/R290/R1150 as listed in the first post, maybe I can get away with skipping R290 entirely. I have a bunch of control hardware that will automate the pulldown and evaporator temperature, learned a lot from Mytek's builds. To start this will be attached to a 5' suction line with a Chilly1 evap, if it works as intended then it will become the 1st stage of a larger project. I have 8lbs of methane(R50) on order at Airgas... will be here towards the end of October.

[MeltedDuron]

So glad this is still going, im watching with big eyes dude

[[XC] gomeler]

So glad this is still going, im watching with big eyes dude

So am I, hope he can pull it off. Wait a second here.. :p:

[sdumper]

gomeler;4055176']This is being assembled over the next three weekends. Will be attempting R600/R290/R1150 as listed in the first post, maybe I can get away with skipping R290 entirely. I have a bunch of control hardware that will automate the pulldown and evaporator temperature, learned a lot from Mytek's builds. To start this will be attached to a 5' suction line with a Chilly1 evap, if it works as intended then it will become the 1st stage of a larger project. I have 8lbs of methane(R50) on order at Airgas... will be here towards the end of October.

Hey Chris I finished way ahead of schedule so ill swing by with the r1150 on Monday afternoon.

[[XC] gomeler]

Hey Chris I finished way ahead of schedule so ill swing by with the r1150 on Monday afternoon.

Excellent :up:

[runmc]

YIKES!! :eek: I hope 5'9" will do the trick :D

[sdumper]

YIKES!! :eek: I hope 5'9" will do the trick :D

Ron I love the way you do braid it always comes out looking tight and professional!!

[MeltedDuron]

Ron I love the way you do braid it always comes out looking tight and professional!!

Yet to have one my self in hand from Rob but the look is amazing.

[[XC] gomeler]

YIKES!! :eek: I hope 5'9" will do the trick :D

Beautiful :)

[Praz]

YIKES!! :eek: I hope 5'9" will do the trick :D
Vet nice Ron. It's ashame the line has to be insulated.

[MeltedDuron]

Vet nice Ron. It's ashame the line has to be insulated.

Someone needs to devlop a way to insulate with say a clear perspex tube so we can see the nice polished copper or frost

[tanguintel]

ohhh beautifull

[[XC] gomeler]

Someone needs to devlop a way to insulate with say a clear perspex tube so we can see the nice polished copper or frost

aerogel if you can afford it.. :(

[ruffus]

real nice chris can't wait to see how this works out as i am planning a system like this but with some real big 220v 2 ton scroll compressor i got from some house A/C units so i will be watching

[runmc]

Flex/Under the Ice evap mounting/Chilly1 evap.
It's ready when you are. :yepp:

[wdrzal]

Someone needs to devlop a way to insulate with say a clear perspex tube so we can see the nice polished copper or frost

Take a look how LN2 lines are vacuum insulated between the multiply layers...............

[bazx]

will be watching this build

i would like to try an auto myself, good luck with the build

[[XC] gomeler]

Thanks. A small update, I spent the weekend designing a workbench that I will be installing at an industrial space. Decided on a 4' by 4' desk covered in steel with a 4' by 4' shelf below it. Going to grab the parts to build it this week and then I move all my phase change gear out of my apartment and into the warehouse. About damn time I get a real place to build stuff in :)

[ruffus]

nice man i can't wait till i can aford to do the same

[MeltedDuron]

Man shed!

[tiborrr]

will be watching this build

i would like to try an auto myself, good luck with the build

Autos are soooo much fun, once you'll built one you will be hooked just as I am. :up:

[ruffus]

i know i can't wait to do my owe

[sdumper]

i know i can't wait to do my owe

I second that but its hard to find time....