Alphacool Top Mod

[Trice]

This is to show what a before and after shot looks like when you mod the top of the DDC+ Alphacool plexi top.



Here it is with a 9.5mm opening. You could probably stop here if you were afraid to go any bigger.



Here it is in the final stage.

[nikhsub1]

Yep you got it. I made mine bigger... the same size as the thread hole (where the plug is).

[Trice]

Ok, I'm going to grab another bit, it looks like the thing is offcenter, which is weird because I just drilled the hole bigger, wasnt like I started it. Did (does) yours look the same? Im going to try to get it evened out a bit more, unless it's just the side port coming in making it look that way...

[yngndrw]

If you look under the side port, it isn't central. It's probably the sideport that made the drill bit drift, however. Have you not got a drill press and clamp / vice ?

[nikhsub1]

Yes it does look a bit off center on mine too I just used a hand drill.

[ReD.SkY]

what are you guy's using to drill this?

just a cordless drill?

also, what type of bit?

[nikhsub1]

Yes I used a 14.4V cordless... I just used my regular metal drill bits... I used like 8 or 9, kept getting bigger and bigger. You would not want to START with a big drill bit, just do a little at a time and keep changing bits till it gets to the size you want.

[ReD.SkY]

ok, well i have a drill press that should do..

and what do you mean start with a big bit? like have it gradually get smaller?

[Trice]

No, opposite, you want a bit thats slightly larger than the hole, then go thicker.

[SiGfever]

ok, well i have a drill press that should do..

and what do you mean start with a big bit? like have it gradually get smaller?

Start with a small bit so that you don't crack the material and increase one size at a time until you reach the desired diameter for the hole.

[Trice]

Wear glassses though! Plexi doesnt come off as nice thin slices, it comes off as hard chunks that are like melted together. hehe

[Fuzzy_3D]

Is this pretty much how it goes?

I knew it was restrictive out of the box, but I've never seen it from that angle. Thats just, shamefull.

[ReD.SkY]

cant you just grind it away wth a dremel or something?

[Trice]

Plexi is hard stuff, you could, but the precision of just having a bigger drill to take away some of the movement is beneficial. A dremel would be good to go in and clean it though if you needed to

[ReD.SkY]

now, whats the best way to stop the plexi from cracking?

[Trice]

You wont really have to worry, it will chip more than crack. Its hard stuff, but its also thick.

[mion]

I mod that top, I used regular 1/2 drill bit without any problems, just slowly drilling it in. Also probably dremel would do. Modding alphacool top is easier than doing the mod on regular top.

[ReD.SkY]

ok, then it will go good when i get in tomorrow

[Trice]

Here you go, finished.

[ReD.SkY]

nice hopefully mine will look that good :P:

[Pyr0]

is there any way to make the outlet bigger?

[ReD.SkY]

is there any way to make the outlet bigger?

yes, but no need.

all iwaki pumps have way small outlets...

this is because the wider the outlet, the lower the head pressure.

kind of like a nozzle on a garden hose.
no nozzle=lots of flow, but not much pressure .... with nozzle=major pressure.

[Fuzzy_3D]

no nozzle=lots of flow, but not much pressure .... with nozzle=major pressure.

Reading one of the Stickies, Maxx states that flow is the most crucial element in a loop. Is that up for debate?

I'm thinking you need pressure to overcome restriction?

[ReD.SkY]

Without head prussure, there would be no flow

most loops dont break 2gpm (iirc)

"just worry about pressure, and flow will follow" i cant remember who said that, but i had it in my sig for a little while.


a 1 horsepower pump with 100gpm flow but virtually njo head, wouldnt perform that well.

The restriction in a loop will kill all pumps that are designed with only flow in mind

(all of the above is over-dramatic as it is past my bedtime )

[Jochenp]

Won't you lose the headpressure you gained by using small outlet anyway when the water comes into your 12mm tubing?