Xtreme Triple PA120.3 Cooler

Hey all

The giant cooler I made a while back is not keeping up with the ST so I had to make an even huger one. I played around with different ideas and settled on using 3 PA120.3, 3 Alphacool 1510 pumps on Meanwell 150S-24 and three EK cylinder Reservoirs. I also decided to use an Emtell 12V PSU for the fans...

I thought about a lot of differnt configs (tower, hexagon, cylinder, cube) and settled on the idea of a trapezoid with the long side up top...this way I could suck up some AC from the floor vent :D


Well after I got the three rads strapped together they were sooooooo heavy a trapezoidal shape would just tip over :D

So I went with a sorta cube shape. The amount of material, time, and planning it would take to pull off a sweet looking hex is just too much right now. Although I will revisit that sometime in the future ;)

Here's what I got together so far. Technically the thing is ready to Rock and Roll

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9959/pict9256vb8.jpg
I used a piece of 1 x 1/8 strap to join the rads. I also used silicon grommets to isolate them from the structure.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5940/pict9257jk3.jpg
Truly the most amazing looking thing I have seen in my shop...it's like a car rad now

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9543/pict9258oe8.jpg
At least ten pounds empty...

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9608/pict9259rw3.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8876/pict9261hn7.jpg
I did some measuring...

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/9587/pict9262ld5.jpg
Made an incredibly detailed construction diagram...:eek::p:

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/9095/pict9263fk6.jpg
Somtimes ya just gotta bust a move...I was tired of gyrating around 12 different ideas so I started with a simple frame.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5760/pict9264ak5.jpg
I braced up the rad rack with some angle mitred to 45 degrees

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6163/pict9265xv4.jpg
Trying to keep this small was futile :)

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/2614/pict9266jc2.jpg
This isn't about small...

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9938/pict9267kz8.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/5056/pict9268bl7.jpg
I am liking how it's going together at this point...

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7113/pict9269jd0.jpg
I tossed some tubing in there just to get a reality check

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2311/pict9270cb0.jpg
At this point I could put some wires on the PSU and git r done...but I want to add some acrylic to baffle the sound.

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/3485/pict9271um1.jpg
I added a strip up top to keep any air from recirculating.

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8536/pict9272kh6.jpg
The pebble grain lexan is unbelievably expensive...we are talking HUNDREDS...sigh.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4547/pict9273ry0.jpg
This is my favorite part so far...no problem filling this humongo cooler...

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6360/pict9274to5.jpg
The res/pump units get supported by the EK clips on a strap and by the cutout up top and by a piece of angle that I will 777 some Neoprene onto to deaden the noise.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/791/pict9275vg9.jpg
Blue tape is aproximately where I plan to cut the exhaust port.

The rear panel will get holes for the 6 lines. I will likely mount the AC plug there too. Up top I will put any controls and gauges. Probably would look awesome with 6 gauges for pressure (in and out) and 6 gauges for the temps (in out) and maybe even a rheostat for the fans...but I doubt I will need to undervolt them. But that can all happen later on...I need some COOLING and I need it NOW :yepp:

Gonna call it a night before I screw anything up:twitch:

MOAR soon.

holy crap :eek:

oh... my... god. . . :eek2:

woah!!! that's insane! :eek:

oooooooooooooownaaaaaaaage

This is going to make me look like a HUGE llama, especially in the wake of those amazing pictures, but what screws are those holding the fans to the rad? I would love to be able to have that look! The screws I have now go all the way through the fan into the rad.

P.S the actual size of the screws is what I need, so I can stop at fastenal on my way home from work.

oh my freak'n ...........

ME WANT !!!!!

Yeah I am also curious about the screws. Socket head cap screws maybe? That setup is so seriously badass. Now that is extreme. Damn.

Lol, you are insane dude.

:shocked:
Does it levitate?

Ah, aber spielt es Crysis?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HaCKs

This is going to make me look like a HUGE llama, especially in the wake of those amazing pictures, but what screws are those holding the fans to the rad? I would love to be able to have that look! The screws I have now go all the way through the fan into the rad.

P.S the actual size of the screws is what I need, so I can stop at fastenal on my way home from work.

---

Flange Head torx 8-32 x 1/2 in Black Oxide finish if you mean the ones that attach the rads to the straps. The others are supplied by Thermochill.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cegras

Ah, aber spielt es Crysis?

---

Doch jah meinem Kuhler kann Crysis spielen. Und MS FSX:up:

Here's a little history on this latest project...

Hey thanks.

I will be lining the top back and part of the sides with Sonex

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/5...ream053gc2.jpg
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2...ream054eu1.jpg
1" thick...works really well.

Here's how I tried to do that last time:

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/500/1203138wp8.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4048/1203137ff2.jpg
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2626/1203134ub6.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/10/1203143um2.jpg
The guts

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2...lass052wo0.jpg
The metering manifold (I call it the Hydra ;))

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6041/clean103sm6.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9296/clean104gz6.jpg
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/7466/done001wp1.jpg
The control panel

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9923/done013qt0.jpg
One side is removable for easy access.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/538/done015tz6.jpg
Lined...the depth I set the fans into the enclosure was to try and kill off the blade noise.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2163/done014sk0.jpg
I line the bottom in an attempt to muffle the Iwaki...no dice...it's a loud-ass pump.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4043/done032yl0.jpg
It's great for running a few Folding rigs on tech stations or bareback..or a quad and SLI or what ever you want...

But the problem is that the pump is really loud...it's not as annoying as a fan that's loud...but it's too damn loud for me.

Hence the switch to Alphacools.

And the cooler depicted above has 9 fans as well...6 on the PA120.3 and 2 on the Bonnie and one for general below decks cooling of the pump and PSUs.

So this time I was thinking if I angled the fans at the Sonex it would work even better. The pumps sit on a piece of angle that I will line in neoprene and I will use isolators on the straps that hold the EK clips. I really want this one to be quieter and at least twice as powerful. I want to shift at least 1500 watts.

Pimp!:clap: :clap:

lol thats too cool :up:

Great work as usual. I need to learn to metal work and things. Every time I see your creations, I want to run to home depot and spend a grand on equipment. This is awesome. :up:

And the bar has been raised again!

Nice work, I'm gonna need to order some of that Sonex from you in a bit... so uh... don't use it all on this! :p:

holy :banana::banana::banana::banana:

Good thing you mentioned it :D

That's awesome, I've been thinking of building a big rad box!

It wasn't going to be that nice, but very inspiring!

S-FLEX fans.. nice

ultra kaze x 9 2000rpm OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWNED

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...k_Emoticon.gif
That is a KILLER setup

nice... sorry if i missed it, but what kind of noise reducing insulation is that... that foamy stuff ... what brand?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Martinm210

It wasn't going to be that nice, but very inspiring!

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Have you looked at your kitchen cabinets recently? Of course it will be nice. :rolleyes: ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hecktic

nice... sorry if i missed it, but what kind of noise reducing insulation is that... that foamy stuff ... what brand?

---

Sonex mini :up:

Watercooling expert:D:D:D

Very extreme cooler good job ;)

:shocked: :clap: sweet

Xtreme it certainly is...nice work.

Thanks a lot guys....the response is enheartening. Still have a long way to go before it's what I am envisioning.

I'd been planning a dual PA120.3 set up, but the more I thought about it the more I wanted to overbuild. If I ever build a rig that exceeds the capacity of this unit I'll be really surprised. I might even try out some peltier effect cooling...

Show us more pics or I will kill my self!

so this is why everyone seems to be out of the pa120.3's

wow thats frickin awesome! could probably replace my central air with that thing!

U r a modding mania guru.:D


I want your work shop in my back yard :p.

Cyber, You sir, are Xtremely disturbed :up: :clap:

Amazing work! :yepp:

insane with three rads, what you gonna cool with that thingy? :)

Great work. Sub'ed so I don't miss the rest of the project.

How effective is that Sonex mini? Where do you buy it?

I had to purchase a butt load of it to get it at a decent price.

You can get it here

bah hate to go off topic in here...
But I was gonna ask if you could stock the natural grey Sonex mini?

And Sonex seems to have taken it off their main site... :(


Also how easy is it to "squish" the foam? is it really soft or firm?

It's firm and I plan to re-order. I'm low. I thought about the grey...it's more though.

lol no worries.
okay, now back to you regularly scheduled modding. :up:

Didn't you think about putting a one big fan on it?
Something like a 36cm from XClio case?

Yah right...more like cut the grass, mend the road, take the trash to the dump, watch the kids while wife shops then back to modding :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m^2

Didn't you think about putting a one big fan on it?
Something like a 36cm from XClio case?

---

I have no experience with that fan and don't know it's pressure and flow characteristics.

S-Flex however I do know and they are a good match to the rads.

I see one of you main components is angle iron/alum.

That is great, with that you can just about build anything,


I love it....

yeah another definitely PIMPed out mod...

Pa120.3x3 :d

cyber, if you have any extra rads, cases, or skill just laying around which i bet you do, wana send um to me :up: but seriously man, you take the word extreme to a whole new level.

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1...ness004lz7.jpg
Mounting the PSUs on the rails

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8...ness005vn8.jpg
Fan wiring completed

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6...ness006re4.jpg
110VAC attached to both PSUs

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4...ness007vk8.jpg
Fan Test

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3...ness013nu3.jpg
Getting ready to fit the pumps

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6...ness014dm9.jpg
Note Rheostat, Pump Kill Switch and Strain Relief. Pumps rest on the foam strip.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5...ness015ju9.jpg
Ek reservoirs mount to the Alphacool 1510 pumps with G 1/4 adapters

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2...ness016qn1.jpg
Pump gets secured with a clip and a hole in the top. The tube presses the pump firmly into the foam lined rail.

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/3...ness018dg9.jpg
Test fitted and plumbed.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/577...ness019rf8.jpg
Filling is extremely simple. Bleeding took less than 5 minutes for inital fill.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/7...ness020qa3.jpg
Obviously any leaks would be a bad thing...yet despite their proximity the PSUs are positioned away from any actual barbed fittings.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8...ness021aa5.jpg
The side panels are off at this point so I can observe the operation.

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2...ness022tg5.jpg
The panel monted above the rads stops any air from recirculating. Removing the panel yields access to the bleeder screws.

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/788...ness023pz0.jpg
I used some Storm waterblocks to give a bit of restriction.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6...ness024zy6.jpg
The side panels will be routed to make triangular exhaust ports.

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4...ness025ls1.jpg
Through the sides I can access the PSU trimmers, wiring, and pumps

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5...ness027tk1.jpg
Almost immediately this pump was leaking from a misaligned O ring in the pump housing. Draining the loop was easy. I refitted the Oring and after a few moments noticed a weepage from the outlet fitting. The leak was from the metal to plasic connection. Alphacool uses a hard epoxy-like gap-filling hard sealant that is a transparent green ion color to mate the metal fitting with the plastic. These fittings are not designed to be tightened, loosened, removed...nothing. They are permanently glued in place.

The smart thing to do would have been to pull the pump rebox it and send it back... instead I carefully freed the metal fitting and cleaned out the sealant and packed the threads with Pipe Paste and after three attempts got something like a leak free fitting...although I have my doubts about how long that would hold up. A better choice for repair would have been "Goop" which is like a super thick contact adhesive: rubbery and flexible yet tenacious.

After a few more minutes I saw a similar weepage from a second pump. :(

I tried to attempt the same repair but broke the pump instead.

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/1...ness028qn6.jpg
The plastic alphacool uses is thin and brittle. For instance you can easily deform the housing, by pressing on the outlet, enough for water to leak by the o-ring.

I am not impressed by the build quality or choice of compounds and materials in these pumps. They are very powerful...but 2 out of 3 pumps leaking is terrible...

I have to question why Alphacool would design a pump with problematic areas like metal to plastic fittings with no compression or O-ring to seal them?

This makes the pump impossible to service without breaking it. Simply using a flexible adhesive would make more sense...or an Oring.

Needless to say this project is on hold until I can decide whether I am using RMAed pumps or simply going to a different pump style altogether...

:eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

:D :clap:

Ouch that sucks to hear about the pumps...

You should build a kind of gutter over the PSU's so if anything leaks in the future it'll run away from the psu's, avoiding disaster.

Well there are plenty of options. I kind of want to test out these Alphacools. Waiting to hear back from PPC about RMA. If they say no then I have to decide whether I want to buy two more or just replumb it for the Iwaki RD30s.

Okay, got it right this time............I was bored...........:D

:bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :worship: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows:
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:bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows:
:bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows:

If I had time I could do the second half of the name, but I have to get ready for the shore house of three days.

The project looks awesome, sorry to hear about the pumps though. The one I tested didn't seem to have any leaking problems although I did notice the thinner plastic and metal shaft instead of ceramic.

I also question how durable the pumps are, but noone seemed to have any long term experience with them to indicate a problem.

woah... extreme!

i dare you to run the system passively :D

Thanks alot guys...takes the agony of my feet off my mind :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfVbTKOWFe8

The fans are about silent at lowest voltage. But I was thinking the same thing: if I park it over the AC vent then I won't even need fans...

When I want to read a great book I look for Tom Clancy.
When I want to see well built extreme systems I look for your threads.
You combine talent and imagination and thats rare.
Very nice work..:up:

phelan now thats a sig to have!

Those buzz a bit more than I thought they would. My long "F" hardly buzzes that much o_o

And also .. your voice sounds a bit like Anton Chigurh, from that movie. It freaked me out a bit, but as always, I mean no harm by stating that.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phelan1777

Okay, got it right this time............I was very bored...........:D

:bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :worship: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows:
:worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows:
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:worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows:
:worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows:
:bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :bows: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :bows: :bows: :worship: :worship: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows: :worship: :bows:
:bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows: :bows:

If I had time I could do the second half of the name, but I have to get ready for the shore house of three days.

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corrected! :p: :D

That build is definitely legendary.

Awesome. No holds barred W/C. :up:

Now that I have my doubts about these pumps...I am considering using a pair of IwakiRD30 and running the rads in series for a single loop.

Here's a question: which would work best

Pump>rad>rad>rad>pump

or

Pump>3-way splitter>rads>3-way splitter>pump

Just kicking that around. Of course I could go totally nuts and just get a third Iwaki...but that seems like too much...I am getting excellent flow with the single pump cooler I have now so I am guessing a pair of Iwaki would be more than enough.

if you do Pump>rad>rad>rad>pump, the first rad would have the most pressure and also remove more heat than the other two. if you do it the other way, all 3 will have same water pressures and have the same amount of heat load. but i don't even know whats more effective

Im not so shure about that... Dont think that pressure affects radiator performance that much. Flow does and that will stay the same independent of loop order.

Why not do 3 loops like you were going to do but have them share common pumps?

Pump 1>Pump 2>3 way splitter>Rad 01>System 01>3way splitter>Pump1
----------------------------->Rad 02>System 02>--------------------
----------------------------->Rad 03>System 03>--------------------

Dunno how those pumps do in series though...
But that way each "system" (or what ever) still has it's own dedicated rad.
:/

You have the best job in the world m8. You should have a Tv program "Pimp my Rig" on Geek Tv :)

speaking from exp of using a single RD30 with a Storm G5, in the past and dual MCW60s


the pump is strong and running two in a loop should be interesting to see temps so do post temps/results when you are up and running.

Thanks for the feedback guys. I reworked the rig so the rads are daisy chained. Right now I have a single IwakiRD30 installed and after I get my act together here (HUNGER) I will decomission the Monolith Xtreme Cooler so I can rob it of parts....

Like a Dumbass I managed to short out my 24V PSU and it's a goner...but luckily I have another handy.

So I was thinking of doing this:

EK res> EK Res> 1st Iwaki>Rad>Rad>2nd Iwaki>rad>3-way metering manifold

My reasoning for dual reservoirs is to make sure the Iwaki always starts with a full charge...the EK reservoirs are pretty low volume. Plus it gives me more options.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3...uber001fz2.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/1...uber002tp0.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/2...uber003ev0.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/7...uber004vx6.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1...uber005fo9.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/302...uber006ma2.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9...uber007vq7.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1...uber008mf2.jpg

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2...uber009en8.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/5...uber010nu2.jpg

I decoupled the pump as best I could and the lexan that it is mounted to is also decoupled somewhat with foam tape. I won't know till I get the other PSU installed.

I put in a drain line this time and now I guess it's time to power down and tear the old cooler apart to cannabalize it.

I like the RD-30 setup better, very nice.

Only thing I would watch for is the length and size of the inlet tup between the pump inlet and the reservoir. I had about a foot worth of 7/16" ID tubing on mine and still noticed a little cavitation during testing. The Iwaki really wants a very short line as well as a larger line if possible. Maybe use some 1/2" in there? Or maybe turn the pump a little and draw right from the closest res?

As long as you don't hear any cavitation (small air bubbles collapsing in the pump) sound, it's all good..:)

looks good , but why not put the PSU under the rads ?

and i think putting the res closer using male to male connector would be better :P , even with 3 res u can make delta shape, plus less tubing

cant you stretch the tubing over the broken pump outlet ? with boiling water help ? (not sure what tubing/size your using)

a huge box like this dedicated to cooling is just crazy. it reminds me of see a setup of this guy running tubes into his pool and having it pumped all the way to his computer lol. it was both the res and radiator...

You sir are a geek .. . . .. .. . that happens to KICK BUTT XD.

This project looks great and I hope you don't run into anymore bad luck. Keep up the great work.

Well another long night produce some interesting results.

I hear ya about cavitation...the low pressure zone is intense.

I took the Monolith apart. As pointed out above putting the PSUs under the plumbing is asking for trouble. The leaks I had with the Alphacools did inded bet them wet. I was able to restore the 12V but like a dumbass I fired the 24V thinking I had it dry when in fact it was not.

No biggy as I have a couple of them laying around.

The reason I did not mount the PSUs in front of the rads was to avoid blocking access to the floor intake (AC vent ;))

Anyhoo. I mounted a SECOND Iwaki in the loop and it's pretty insane. With the PSU trimmed all the way up it's NIAGRA Class V rapids material :D

The dual reservoir is producing some fun stuff to look at...but likely not ideal for the cooling loop. I made some vids to show the effect...

Basically the low pressure is so strong it draw water through the balance tube...this makes for a WATERFALL...lol but also a ton of aeration. With both pumps on it sounds like a Dishwashing machine churning away...as the air is passed through the rad chambers...not exactly what I had in mind :rolleyes:

I may have to Nix the the balance tube despite how cool it looks...

I'll post up some pics after another cuppa joe kicks in.

Well I worked until about 2AM and got the unit completed

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7...art2026tn8.jpg
Here I have the second Iwaki mounted

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6...art2027tn6.jpg
I used a balance tube but it might have to go.

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8...art2028gi0.jpg
loop goes like this res1>res2>pump1>rad1>rad2>pump2>rad3>out to PC>back to res1

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4...art2030dv2.jpg
I used two reservoirs llinked together to try and minimize cavitation..but the balance tube is introducing a ton of air...as the vids will show.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5...art2033lf5.jpg
Pumps each have their own switch so I can try out some stuff.

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9...art2034hu7.jpg
Should probably make a shield for the PSUs in case of leaks..

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/8...art2035ak8.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3...art2036kr7.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/7...art2037nq6.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/3...art2040jm6.jpg
The fans were actually giving me a chill last night :D

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/5...art2044lz2.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1...art2045yh5.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3...art2051mb5.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...art2053tb4.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5...art2054bg1.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8...art2055fz0.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/9...art2056tr5.jpg

Too much fun

I was under the impression that Iwakis are to only mounted one way, as any other mount would not be ideal for performance, and possibly damage the pump?

I have read the PDF. I ran one mounted vertically for 9 months. No harm.

These are mounted horizontally. The concern is two fold: that no air get's trapped in the pump chamber: ideally you would want the outlet facing up to facilitate that...but properly filling the loop before starting the pump is another alternative.

The second is that there could be wear associated with the thrust surfaces mif mounted vertical leading to premature wear of those areas. So far that has not been an issue.

This orientation is horizontal and the only variance being the outlets are pointed down...but since this is for me and not a client I do not have any worries about warranty/longevity, etc.

I lined the panels with Sonex using 3M 777 contact adhesive and it made a big difference.

Cooler is currently in place sitting over the AC vent running the ST. I am seeing 9-10C lower load temps.

10C is a lot...and well worth the efforts.

Also the greatly increased surface area is letting me run the fans very low...and cannot hear them and I am about 3 feet away.

Once bled in the system is almost silent: exactly what I had hoped.

I eliminated the balance tube and that stopped the aeration. No waterfall...but silent.

I have to say the entire apparatus has exceeded my expectations. GPU temps at idle went from 39 to 27C. It is so much quieter than the last cooler I wish I had built it sooner.

This is the last phase of my Silent PC project. To have this much power with virtually no noise (the Raptors are now the loudest component) was the goal. I had my doubts because almost every rig I have built is a compromise in some area...this time since it is for me there was no limit to the budget and I allowed myself to keep trying until I got it right.

I learned a fair amount in the process...but my intial hunches about angling the rads was spot on.

Soooo anybody want to buy some Alphacool pumps :D

unbelievable CD! two iwaki's w/ 3 120.3's :shocked:

10c drop is amazing while being silent.

damn, you make me wanna build an external box and get an RD-30 :rolleyes:

congrats to you sir:clap: :clap: :clap:

So do you think the Iwakis with their heat dump is worth it? I mean, all those pumps are doing is pushing water through the rads, not a couple of rigs' worth of blocks?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by headala

So do you think the Iwakis with their heat dump is worth it? I mean, all those pumps are doing is pushing water through the rads, not a couple of rigs' worth of blocks?

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If you have a decent RAD and run the RD30 into the RAD first then its highly unlikely u will see any affects of the heat dump, unless maybe if you run @ 24v.

There are results from tests run as far back as two years ago with running the RD @ 18 vs 24v and corresponding heat dump.


As I have two RDs now, I might try something not nearly as crazy, but crazy none the less :p;

Go for it.

The cooler is pressing through 2 FuZion CPU WBs, MCH WB, SB WB, and two dual GPU WBs. Although one Iwaki could certainly produce the minimum required I find that increased flow does yield lower temps.

After Folding for the past several hours I am seeing 9-10C lower temps than before. This is with a thick dust filter and the fans on lowest setting. Basically I went from a 35C delta from intake temps to a 25C delta. Ambient is 23.3 and my hottest core is 48-49C under load. The coolest core is 35-36C.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CyberDruid

Now that I have my doubts about these pumps...I am considering using a pair of IwakiRD30 and running the rads in series for a single loop.

Here's a question: which would work best

Pump>rad>rad>rad>pump

or

Pump>3-way splitter>rads>3-way splitter>pump

Just kicking that around. Of course I could go totally nuts and just get a third Iwaki...but that seems like too much...I am getting excellent flow with the single pump cooler I have now so I am guessing a pair of Iwaki would be more than enough.

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Haha. As soon as I started reading this thread, at your original post, I was going to make a post suggesting that you ditch the pumps and mount a couple of Iwaki's in a single loop.

...and then I decided to read the entire thread before posting. Sometimes it's funny the way things work out. :D

ANYWAY.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CyberDruid

Well I worked until about 2AM and got the unit completed

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7...art2026tn8.jpg
Here I have the second Iwaki mounted

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I have a few suggestions. Definitely leak proof the PSUs, then what I would do would be to mount the Iwakis on top of the PSUs. With the Iwakis lower, you can bring your reservoirs down and mount them inside of the structure instead of having them stick out like that. Then, get rid of the balance tube between them and instead place that third reservoir. I think you'll have a better time with cavitation if you had that between them rather than a tube. Also it would be easier to fill the loop because you could use the top hole of the middle reservoir for filling. It would, of course, need to be mounted above the other two reservoirs. Also, I would shorten up some of those bends (like the one between the two radiators) with a couple copper U-bends like Martin has tested. I get mine at any local plumbing store, just make sure you have the tubing fastened on them tight if you ever use them with Iwakis.

Those are just suggestions though, it may be too much trouble to do all that but I think it would save you time in the long-run.

I like it how it is now..without the balance tube cavitation stopped completely. No more gurgling and crackling like in the vid I link below. Thanks though. Frankly I would prefer 7" of tubing over an elbow any day...but when I do use elbows thw copper ones for soldering pipe work well...especially Martin's with the little barbs.

Everything is working well...there's nothing I foresee changing. I may put a splash guard ovewr the PSUs ... but I don't expect any leaks. Everything is sealed off with EK captive O ring barbs and stainless steel double wall pinch clamps except for the pumps which are so larg and OD that the tubing barely slips over them. On those I used nylon ties specific for tubing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apFQMAFle4Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eefm99rvrdU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybjAF1747A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=568CjqJfbMU
Last Vid of the apparatus installed.

It's staying the way it is. It works great. It bled in seconds...it runs without cavitation. I am happy. Thanks though.

So what is the final loop order? I'm having problems following it.

Jesuschristandagoat, that's some serious cooling power.
You should try and measure the water temperature at the point where the waterblocks would be, see how close to 0 it is.

I must admit that I did like the triple loop better, comes off more "neat", and seams like it would utilize the power of three PA120.3's better when cooling more than a single component.

Give or take, this cooling loop really pushes boundaries for what is possible, and plausible.
I congratulate you druid, you are eXtreme!

I love the badass setup ;) You always push the limits of watercooling and case modding to the extreme so great job :up:

Oh I am glad to have gotten this out of my system...now back to case modding...

Final loop is >res1>res2>pump1>rad1>rad2Pump2>rad3>PC

I appreciate all the insight from you waterheads and of course it's always great to hear I am Xtreme..I love that...

It was a lot of long days...40hours in about 3 days has got me a little hungover...scratched, sore the usual..but like rough sex case modding does make you sleep good at night :D

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7...lace002vw7.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4...lace004db8.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5...lace005ma1.jpg
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http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/4...lace008aw0.jpg
http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/3...lace012pe9.jpg
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/8...lace013il3.jpg

That's just phenomenal.

Hmm... why not run it:

Res1 > Res2 > Pump1 > Rad1 > Rad2 > Rad3 > Pump2 > blocks > Res1

Running the 3 PA's together can't kill the flow that much to need a pump mixed in there. In the end, it doesn't really matter because it still performs great.

I ran the 2nd pump through a rad so as to kill off any heat dump from the pump...no sense in uber cooling the water then heat it at the last pass...

Update on the temps. Now that the heatsoak from Folding has finally settled in my overall drop in temps is only about 7C. But I am still happy.

CD, to say that you are Xtreme is like saying that Mt Everest is an anthill.

Keep up the good work man. You are one crazy badass SOB and I love it!!

I really look forward to your build threads and learn something each time I read one. You are simply an AMAZING craftsman.

AMAZING craftman!

Awww shucks. The cooler is working great. I never shut it off and having it quieter is a great plus. The Airfilter mat is really doing it's job too...this thing is kind of like a whole-home air purifier too :D

Wow. That setup is insane. What all are you cooling? A supercharged Hemi? LOL..

Wow, insane. Great work.