My Alphacool DDC Ultra Top Mod + Results

[nikhsub1]

OK guys, I got my 2 DDC Ultras yesterday. I did NOT take photos before I bored the inlets Didnt have my camera at home. Anyway, the center inlet on the Alpha top had around a 5-6mm opening below the 1/2" opening for the barb (G 1/4"). I said hmmm, this looks like poop! So I got out the drill and used about 7 bits each time going bigger until I matched the opening of the barb thread. Here is a shot of it modded and then another shot of the original Laing top where you can see how small the inlet hole is, it was the same size on the Alpha top before I bored it.



And a side by side shot with the mod and the original top:



I just did a flow test with just an inlet (top) and outlet tube into a 1 gallon container. Did it 3 times and it filled it in about 16 - 16.5 seconds. That is almost 4GPM wide open, not bad at all. I looked at this thread where mion ran some tests on the ultra with different tops and the stock top... see it here: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=100874

Anyway, he used a 10 quart container, I used a 4 quart container (gallon) so we can compare... I will copy and paste his results below.

mion's DDC Plus results:

Remember 10 quarts!
--------------------
Regular/ plain without any mods
MCP350=85s
DDC+ ==70s
Hydor L35=45s

Test top with 1/2id inlet mod
MCP350=54s
DDC+ ==43s
Hydor L35=45s

Alphacool Acrylic Top with 1/2id barbs even though top is 3/8id
MCP350=57s
DDC+ ==50s
Hydor L35=45s

Another top with 1/2id inelt and outlet
MCP350=50s
DDC+ ==40s
Hydor L35=45s

Now his best DDC+ time is 40 seconds with 'another' top, IDK which top that is Anyway, is 40 seconds to fill 10 quarts translates to 4 seconds per quart. My modded Alpha top does a gallon (4 quarts) in 16 - 16.5s so we are pretty much right on with whatever top he used, and the best result he achieved. I have no idea what the 12v line is on the bench PSU I have is... my MM is busted. So there you have it, the Alpha top mod 'seems' to yeild some very good results.

mion's unmodded Alpha top fills 1 quart in 5 seconds, the modded top does one quart in 4 - 4.125 seconds.

[creidiki]

sounds like all thats needed is to widen the top inlet as you said.

good to know!

[wildcard]

Nice! Have you done any leak testing? What kind of bits did you use?

[nikhsub1]

Here is how the pumps will likely be installed, not positive just yet though.

[creidiki]

so... very... green...

i need replacement eyes now x_x

[MaxxxRacer]

nik, do those rubber grommets on the fans really help reduce noise?

Very interesting results btw. Its a pitty that Bruce doestn sell 1/4" G fittings. That way you could get a cleaner look due to the shortness of his fittings. (I'm not sure that made any sense but I have hope that you got what the hell I meant)

[nikhsub1]

FWIW, I contacted bruce about G1/4" barbs, he says that he is making them! I assume they will be just as the G3/8" hes has.

[MaxxxRacer]

oh, very cool.

[sdkevin]

any performance gain if you drill out larger than G1/4" like 3/8" BSP?

[nikhsub1]

any performance gain if you drill out larger than G1/4" like 3/8" BSP?

IF any it would be miniscule...

[Nouseforaname]

I'm assuming you haven't done anything complicated like drilling a thread into the top inlet, so you'd be glueing the barb in?

[nealh]

so is this your top...
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=4506

you need to enlarge the opening below the top inlet..correct

Jeez..just bought my WCing and already I want a new radiator and pump

[nikhsub1]

so is this your top...
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=4506

you need to enlarge the opening below the top inlet..correct

Jeez..just bought my WCing and already I want a new radiator and pump

Yes you are correct. I will warn though, you NEED the plug installed in the top like pictured otherwise you will likely jack up your threads! You will mar the plug bottom too, just an FYI. I happen to have a bunch of those same plugs for my Res' so no biggie on borking one.

[nikhsub1]

I'm assuming you haven't done anything complicated like drilling a thread into the top inlet, so you'd be glueing the barb in?

The top comes with a threaded top inlet. I don't understand the question... The thread size is G1/4" or BSPP 1/4"

[nealh]

sorry..you said you needed to enlarge the top inlet

Anyway, the center inlet on the Alpha top had around a 5-6mm opening below the 1/2" opening for the barb (G 1/4"). I said hmmm, this looks like poop! So I got out the drill and used about 7 bits each time going bigger until I matched the opening of the barb thread

did you need to do this with this top???

[ReD.SkY]

nik, he means, you drilled out the inlet, how did you rethread it?

[nikhsub1]

OMG, I'm going insane The top comes threaded, I did not alter the THREADED area... right UNDER the threads is where I enlarged...

[ReD.SkY]

oooooohhhhh lol

[sdkevin]

DDC Ultra does not comes with preinstalled Plexi Top, leave the way it was and drill the bottom from same hole size drill bit and drill out slowly with larger drill bit until you got your desire size, becareful not to drill over the threaded otherwise some more work to be done

[MaxxxRacer]

nik, i bet you REALLY wished you took pictures of the before and after now.. lmao..

[nealh]

thanks

[UnreaL]

so... very... green...

i need replacement eyes now x_x

Yeh it just woke me up very sharply!

[Zeus]

Nice and easy mod, great find.
Doesn't it make sense to bore the outlet as well?

B.t.w., i like the mounting of the pumps, very clean.

[nealh]

Yes you are correct. I will warn though, you NEED the plug installed in the top like pictured otherwise you will likely jack up your threads! You will mar the plug bottom too, just an FYI. I happen to have a bunch of those same plugs for my Res' so no biggie on borking one.

wow..initiaLLY missed this post..excellent advice

How am going to get this and use this pump without my wife know..jeez just spent $400+ on parts,barbs,tubing, clamps...she will murder for my life insurance...HELP

[creidiki]

I've found that pointing in a random direction, shouting "look, a pony!" and quickly running the other way is as effective as any other solution. YMMV

EDIT: when did I become an "Xtreme Mentor"? o.Ó