Water cooling project 101

Well, I'm going to try to keep all my progress posted on converting from air to water :banana: Here are some pixs of my set up now, this pc is only 3 weeks old. I always use to build conventional boxes, ie. NO PIZZAS! So I broke down and did my first mod job....

Here is a pic with the lights out
This is my new ViewSonic VP912B 19" LCD
Here is where I will place my rad box, see them figurines

Well thats what I have now, this will be a slow process, and I will try to keep anyone interested in my progress updated!

Hey is that orange cable sleeves? :stick:

good luck with ur setup. if you need any help dont hesitate to ask.

Yes, I also have green and blue in there. I have some more UV lights coming so I can light the top part. That cam really not that great of a pic, much better sitting here in front of it.

Thanks Maxxx, I will be posting pics and maybe asking question if I run into problem.

anyway u can take more closeup pictures?

Well the first part of my water cooling showed up today. Its my Iwaki MD20RZT!

Here you have a factory sealed box :)

Here it is with the fittings they supplied so I can run 1/2" tubbing.

Another angle

This thing is just big!!!

No way will I try to squeeze this pump into my case!

bimmer, I will get some inside case shots when I go to put it all together ok!

btw - awesome pump.
My next pump will be the iwaki.
I current have the DD 12v pump, and it kicks so much ass.
And i've used Eheim1250 and ViaAqua1300, both every good pumps.

Thanks bimmer!

Ok for any of the new people to water cooling that might be following this work in progress, I will be having a short waiting period. Two item that I will not change are specialty items...

1. The Storm G5 water block
2. The Weapons monster core

I will be building a rad box, and following Maxx and others will use MDF for the construction. The box will incorporate an idea of mine that will make draining a breeze.

you can make it alot smaller if you go with 3/4 fittings straight off the bat and use 5/8 tubing coming and going from the pump. just get a weapon heatercore with 5/8 fittings and a resivour with 5/8 fittings (weapon modded mine) and you can do it.

Ya, I think I will do that. I already talked to weapon and did ask for the flow cannons. I have a question Maxx, which one is intake? I would guess it would be the one sticking out to the side. What I will do is make all the tubbing in the rad box 5/8" ID and then reduce it to use 1/2" to and from my case... Do you know where I can find 2 5/8" connectors?

Well I think I found what I'm looking for, and here is a link if anyone needs some of these...

Poly Tubing insert fittings

the one on the end of the pump is intake...

those fittings are the same ones as i have.. but the price on this is a bit high.. if you go to www.customaqautic.com or www.marinedepot.com you should get better prices.

well you found the 5/8... so i suppose just get them both there.. the two places i listed dont do 5/8 fittings. btw why do u need 5/8 female fittings???

I was refering to the barb side, its 3/4 or NPT female. Custom aqautics was where I bought the pump and they told me on the phone that they don't make an FPT 1/2" so I went with their suggestion. What I have on my pump is male threads so what I ordered was...

2. NPT female 5/8" insert
1 5/8" coupling
1 5/8" tee

I will not be using a resivour and the coupling will be used to join the 5/8" ID hose to the 1/2" ID hose running to the computer. The returning line will be forced onto the tee.

i strongly suggest that you use a res in your rad box. place it about 2 inches from the pump inlet with 5/8 tubing between it and the pump.. the iwaki really likes to suck hard (no pun intended) and if you dont feed it properly you will end up with cavitation which can lead to a damaged pump.

this 5/8npt female insert will adapt your 3/4 pump fittings to 5/8? looking at the description i dont see anywhere where it says 3/4.. can you clarify?

Well, I'm not sure now. I was assuming that the mesurments on the end was for the insert size. I'm going to have to call them tomorrow becuase they are close today.


Look at this page

Thanks for pointing that out for me. That site is a bit confusing, they only give you one mesurment. I was looking at them fittings and how can you have a 2" insert on a 3/4" female thread.

yah.. its very odd.. i dont think they have a 3/4 to 5/8 adapter there... i suggest you just get some 5/8 tygon (have it be 1" OD) and be done with it. it will be hard to stretch over it but it will do it just fine.

I have hte 5/8ID 3/4OD tygon and its way to thin.. the 1" OD stuff will be alot better

I also use the 3/4 fittings that they sell on that site. they are of supurb quality and are insanely strong.

ok, I was able to cancle my order. I purchased this from USPlastics...

2 3/4"FNPT x 3/4" Hose ID Polypropylene Female Adapter
5 Tygon® Laboratory Tubing 5/8" I.D. 7/8" O.D. and 1/8" wall
1 Black High Density Polyethylene Connector Fitting 5/8 x 5/8

If I heat my 1/2" ID tygon I should be able to get it on the 5/8" barb connector?

you wont need to heat it. you can get it on the 5/8 connector pretty easily... its just hard getting it off afterwards.

My MD-20RZ arrived today but there's a little problem, the power cables have been cut down to about 2", so theres no way they'll reach my PCI Relay card, what do I have to do to extend them?

Go to this site...

Minute Man Electronics

Scroll down to the product...

18 AWG 6' Black
3 Conductor SJT Power Cord
Philmore # SJT183-6

Then when you get it cut it to lenght and take the black butt of the pump and re wire it, you will be set then!

Oh you might want to buy 3 new crimp connectors and just do one wire at a time, so you don't confuse your self with which wire goes where!

My pump only has Black and White wires coming out of the back :( According to the PCI Relay card site that means its missing the green ground wire, is that alright?

Open the black cap and see if the is a screw in the end. That is where the green goes.

Maxx, I'm going to use this 2 qt. air tight container with a locking lid for a res. What if I buy some PVC tubing and just JB weld or silicon sealant to hook the pumps intake right to the res. This way there will be no restriction smaller than the size of the intake of the pump.

sounds good spatman.. the pvc should work.