Oil seperator

[expansionvalve]

Anyone know how I can build an oil seperator?
I can buy industrial stuff but it's far too big, 3/8 discharge line with 1/4 oil return would be good. :toast:

[Stewie007]

How big of an oil separator do you want? I use oil separators to build pump outs for large chillers and theyre about a foot tall with a 3 inch diameter. That's not that big. They likely make smaller ones. Building an oil separator isn't something you can just do.

You need a design, tooling. If you don't know how to weld forget it. I'd just buy one, it'd be cheaper, and you would go through no bum materials that you destroy. :)

Just my two cents.

[saratoga]

Lots of people here make their own, so do a search. Do you really need one with a chiller though? Oil return generally isn't a problem in typical systems.

[Stewie007]

Oil separators aren't needed in this kind of setup anyways.

[expansionvalve]

Hi, I think my install may be a bit diffrent to most setups I have seen on here, my condensor will be 30ft away from the evaporator with a rise of about 15ft to the next floor.

I would use a oil return system on an open drive compressor so was really just thinking if this applies to hermetics aswell, better safe than sorry?

[Stewie007]

Why are you building your system in this way? And just HOW big is your compressor?

[expansionvalve]

Hi, I would like to build my system up like this because I do not want any noise in the room the pc is in, don't want fans in here and above all I do not want a compressor in here, far too noisey, I listen to fans and compressors all day at work and the last thing I want is to relax in front of my pc with a compressor buzzing in my ear.
I am currently looking at 2hp 404a condensing unit. Need to do a few more calculations to be sure but near the 2hp mark is where I need to be.

[saratoga]

Why so large?

[expansionvalve]

Well, this is where it goes a little off topic, I need to chill 10liters of water for pc and run a single room ac evap to cool me in the summer, bit pointless as we don't get a summer :confused:

[Stewie007]

Bahh, you don't need that. 2HP is wayyy overkill for a chiller of this size.

What you want to do in order to be able to cool your room is to get a high flow pump. Something like 850 GPH - 1400 GPH. Yes, I'm serious. Figure out how to regulate the flow and you have in effect a thermostat. By speeding up the water or slowing it down, you have the ability to control temperature. That way, you can run it at say, 700 and that water should still be cold enough upon exiting the comp to cool your room. If not, crank the pump up until it does.

R404a is a good refrigerant to use. A 1/2HP compressor would do trick.

You don't need such a hefty compressor, and you can insulate against sound.

I'm building a wooden chest, lining it with foam, then installing sheet metal, and lining That with a type of insulation, be it neoprene, or regular old insulation. My 1/2hp compressor won't even be heard. :) Neither will my pumps. Naturally I'll install ventilation too.

You don't need to worry about any big time compressors for chilling 10 liters of water. :)

[KaptCrunch]

guess he wants Instant Gratification when powers up the 2hp unit....most are 208v 3ph in that range

[chilly1]

Build the chiller in the location you currently have just the condenser and install th pump there so you only circulate the cooling fluid, Insulate 2 lines instea of only 1 and no noise at all. Only water. And then with the 2 hp if you want a server farm you will have he capacity for it aall you need to do is add lines and increased flow.

[saratoga]

I'm with Stewie on this one. 2HP is just too big. Even if you have the electrical wiring in your house to handle it, it'd be a huge waste of energy when a smaller unit could do the job just fine.

[Stewie007]

I'm sure his wiring could handle it, but I don't know that his wallet could *snickers*

That sucker's gotta take at least 2000 Watts. Imagine the power bill increase. Oiy, unbearable!

[expansionvalve]

I really do appreciate the words guys but this is not about the size of compressor. I know what I need and as soon as it's done I will put some pictures up so you can see, the system will be more than just a chiller for the pc. I could go so far off topic here with the end use of the system i would end up in turn talking out of 'forum' like, maybe it will also end up being used as part of the 'house' refigeration system, there be more to it than meets the eye, was just wondering about seperators, that is all.
oh, and its 440 3ph.

[Stewie007]

I think you're getting in over your head. But good luck with that.

[expansionvalve]

Going in over my head? no I think not, this small stuff is like an infants building set, but if that's what you think I respect your opinion even if I do think it's a little unfair considering you do not know who I am or my level of training regarding the matter. Anyway, thanks for the wish of good luck. :)

[Stewie007]

Has nothing to do with your level of training, I just thought you were wasting your time and money. But its not about what I think. :)

Let me know how it goes.

[wdrzal]

expansionvalve; I'm interisted and think anything like that is kool ,and it's not over my head so post those pic's when you get them ! Walt