View Full Version : Just might happen
LutaWicasa
03-04-2004, 02:31 PM
Yep............about time for me to try my hand at building a waterchiller.
I figured, if I post about it.........I wouldn't be able to get lazy and slack off on it ;)
Already have a window ac unit earmarked for it.......can't seem to find any info on the compressor at LG though.
Anyhoo..........this will take me quite some time to complete, but I have started :)
Be back with some updates:cool:
Here's some low quality shots of what I'll start with:
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/over.jpg
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/evap.jpg
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/comp.jpg
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/frost.jpg
sandman
03-04-2004, 03:02 PM
good luck man.
A good start would be the btu of it, and waterblock you plan on using.
LutaWicasa
03-04-2004, 03:14 PM
Originally posted by sandman
good luck man.
A good start would be the btu of it, and waterblock you plan on using.
It's a 7,000 BTU window unit..........unsure as to what block. Right now, probably a Maze3.
Considering figuring a way for the res to be horizontal. Liquid entering above the evap and pumped from below.
sandman
03-04-2004, 03:37 PM
What do you plan on using for a res?
LutaWicasa
03-04-2004, 04:27 PM
Haven't yet decided that. If I try a horizontal......guess I'll have to fabricate my own.
kommando
03-04-2004, 10:37 PM
oooo frosty, use an esky ;)
zakelwe
03-05-2004, 12:10 AM
I know what you mean about posting so that it gives you an incentive, I did similar with my Shed project in General hardware that is still going.
People tend to use cooler boxes for the res, I would imagine that this would be ideal for you to.
As warm water would rise would it not be better to have the "warm"returning liquid being below the evap which then rises through the evap, cooled and put back through the system.
Regards
Andy
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 04:19 AM
Originally posted by zakelwe
As warm water would rise would it not be better to have the "warm"returning liquid being below the evap which then rises through the evap, cooled and put back through the system.
Regards
Andy
I was thinking that gravity would aid with the flow of fluid through the evap in conjunction with the suction..........but, I need to do a lot more reading. Seems there may be a problem with the evap laying flat as opposed to being upright.
With the cold air blower and tunnel being removed, I may have ample room to mount a cooler (as used by many and suggested above) in the front of the unit and keep it somewhat compact and still window mountable :)
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 11:02 AM
yea keep the evap upright, take a look at mine on this page:http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22968&perpage=25&pagenumber=7 read the entire thread if you havnt already.
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 11:06 AM
Originally posted by jamaljaco
yea keep the evap upright, take a look at mine on this page:http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22968&perpage=25&pagenumber=7 read the entire thread if you havnt already.
Yes sir.........been all over that :D
I am going to have to alter the position of the evap though. All three lines to the unit are positioned in the vertical center of the evap. Any idea on what the impact of turning the evap so the lines are on top?
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 11:30 AM
Well if your talking bout your picture obove with all the frost it looks like its working, however gravity aids in the evaps function,but it looks like you may just be able to slide a beer cooler under that thing just the way it is in the pic
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 11:34 AM
Just what I'm hoping for. I had already oriented the unit so the lines were on top instead of the left side (as in the first pics)
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 12:00 PM
what temps you get on that evap in that orientation?
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 12:03 PM
You now what .I just look at your pics again, it looks like you have enough line to put that thing any way you want it. Unless i'm missing something.
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 12:06 PM
Haven't acquired a thermometer yet :(
This is going to take me some time........I really am working on a shoestring budget. So.......I will only be able to get everything together slowly.
But..........anticipation is very sweet as well as aggrevating;)
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 12:11 PM
Man! how can you just sit there and look at that frost? hehe, if your already water cooled your almost done .
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 12:33 PM
Have a DigDoc doin' nothing..........hooked that up. When it hit 0c after about 3 mins running.........well, that's all the DD could do;)
jamaljaco
03-05-2004, 12:35 PM
gotta hate that ,lol
LutaWicasa
03-05-2004, 12:38 PM
Originally posted by jamaljaco
Man! how can you just sit there and look at that frost? hehe, if your already water cooled your almost done .
True........true.
Still need to rig some kinda res.........insulate everything.........condensation proof the mobo and vidcard.........obtain a viable temp monitoring device.
Lots to do yet.
And then, it'll be time to start some "tuning" ;)
Well, well.........looks like I can pick up a CompuNurse for about $12.....:)
zakelwe
03-06-2004, 03:57 AM
Originally posted by LutaWicasa
True........true.
Still need to rig some kinda res.........insulate everything.........condensation proof the mobo and vidcard.........obtain a viable temp monitoring device.
Lots to do yet.
And then, it'll be time to start some "tuning" ;)
Wel,well.........looks like I can pick up a CompuNurse for about $12.....:)
After looking at several thermometers all the best, unsurprisingly, are very expensive so I have purchased a Hanna Checkpoint1 which does -50C to 150C, with average accuracy. Should be good enough for what I need it for. No doubt there are even better and cheaper models out there, but this should be OK. When it arrives I will give some feedback in the forum.
Regards
Andy
kommando
03-06-2004, 04:02 AM
Im getting a Senfu Thermal Sensor my temp readings when i build my chiller.
OT: How do you get your threads added into this section which were previously in the vapour phase change cooling section?
LutaWicasa
03-06-2004, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by kommando
OT: How do you get your threads added into this section which were previously in the vapour phase change cooling section?
I've been slowly moving any as I find them, that are clearly "Chiller" threads ;)
LutaWicasa
03-06-2004, 03:10 PM
OK.............picked up a cheapy indoor/outdoor therm. Filled the res (mostly.......about 20% of the evap isn't submerged) 66.6% denatured and 33.3% anti-freeze (yes, with the corrosion inhibitors;) )
After running for 30 mins.......from ambient (about 24c) it's down to -13.4c
delta on condenser air is 5-6c
Looking like it might be a winner when I'm able to do things right :)
LutaWicasa
03-06-2004, 07:12 PM
Just a tad icy :D
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/res.jpg
Yes........that's a kitchen trashcan. Need to find a suitable res. The size of my evap precludes using the same beverage cooler other's have.
Hopefully, not the best it'll do
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/temp.jpg
Sitting at -23c as I type.
jamaljaco
03-07-2004, 06:41 PM
not a bad temp , mine runs around there under load. when you get it all permanent and insulated it will do a bit better , Gary says when we tune the charge it will do way better.
LutaWicasa
03-07-2004, 06:45 PM
Yup...............well, I've decided with the odd size/shape of this evap, I'll just make the res. Figured, I can use sheetmetal to fabricate the size etc. Then, form 8LB expanding foam at 1 3/4-2 inches thick. Doing this, I should be able to return the evap to it's original orientation.
Lowest she's gotten without insulation or any tuning whatever is -26.2c..........not as good as I had hoped, but after getting things done and start some tuning, with any luck it should improve a fair amount.
jamaljaco
03-07-2004, 06:47 PM
Sweet, great project.
LutaWicasa
03-07-2004, 11:36 PM
These look as though they'll do the trick?
Line Pierce/Charge Valve, For Line OD 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 Inch, Small
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/lpv.jpg
Valve,Thermo Expansion
Thermo Expansion Valve, Bolt on TXV Kit 018, 024, 030
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/txv.jpg
IMPERIAL 2-WAY GAUGE
2-valve brass manifolds
feature full flow dual O-ring
valve design for fast, troublefree
performance. Precision
flutter- and pulsation-resistant
gauges with protective gauge
boots for long life.
PolarShield® hi-pressure UL
recognized barrier hoses.
http://bigredwa.com/ocmod/lutawicasa/gauge.jpg
Originally posted by LutaWicasa
Yup...............well, I've decided with the odd size/shape of this evap, I'll just make the res. Figured, I can use sheetmetal to fabricate the size etc. Then, form 8LB expanding foam at 1 3/4-2 inches thick. Doing this, I should be able to return the evap to it's original orientation.
Lowest she's gotten without insulation or any tuning whatever is -26.2c..........not as good as I had hoped, but after getting things done and start some tuning, with any luck it should improve a fair amount.
Thats good , cant wait to build one! That garbage can though seems risky, like if a bug lands on the side it will probly burst lol :owned: btw , I think when you start insulating you get a huge drop in temps. Think i saw that somewhere. good luck ;) :toast:
Hows it coming along Luta? :slobber:
LutaWicasa
03-08-2004, 06:52 PM
Originally posted by Peen
Hows it coming along Luta? :slobber:
Well..........decided on an ice-chest as res. I will still foam it (8LB expanding urethane)........but that'll have to wait. $58 for enough for 2 cubic feet. Should be able to sheathe the res as well as form for waterblocks (CPU/GPU)
So, now it's only a matter of $$. Many odds-n-ends need to be aquired.
Time, I guess, to utilize my almost infinite patience:)
zakelwe
03-09-2004, 04:33 AM
That's looking good, I think it is interesting to have it running with not much insulation and then with to see what the difference makes.
Where did you measure the temp ?
Regards
Andy
Gary Lloyd
03-09-2004, 06:33 AM
What's the specs on that TXV?
LutaWicasa
03-09-2004, 04:06 PM
Originally posted by Gary Lloyd
What's the specs on that TXV?
Don't have it.........actually, had intentions of rattling your chain about exactly what I'd need prior to purchase. The pic is just one that I snagged from the Grainger catalog. Hoping to be able to pick stuff up locally:)
Originally posted by zakelwe
That's looking good, I think it is interesting to have it running with not much insulation and then with to see what the difference makes.
Where did you measure the temp ?
probe was hanging mid evap (about 2 inches in front of the unit) on the pump side of the res.
LutaWicasa
03-13-2004, 03:38 AM
Looks like this will be on hold for a little..........gotta head down to Fla for a few weeks (work, not pleasure).
Hoping I may be able to snag some 8LB foam down there (commonly used as void filler in boats):)
kommando
03-13-2004, 04:06 AM
How do you guys fill your systems yourself?
You use vacum pumps or modded compressors?