Water Chiller Compressor - Overclock.net

Maytridy · 05-10-09

Hi, I'm looking to make a water chiller system this spring for some personal fun.

I am not looking for extreme temps - I would like to keep my system just below room temperature (I am going to rig a mechanism to keep my water temps just above the current ambient dew point). Please don't say "just go with water cooling". I am doing this for personal fun, not for performance.

I have looked all over but I can't find where to buy a good compressor. Here are my questions:

1. How much cooling power will I need (BTUs or Watts) to cool an overclocked Q6600, GTX260/280, and northbridge?

2. Where can I get a good variable speed, DC compressor of the capacity specified above?

Thanks for your help!

Reflexive · 05-11-09

500W should do.
That's about 1800 BTU.

You won't be able to get a variable DC compressor for that. They are incredibly expensive. Very. Very. And in that small of a size, doubt it.
You want a small compressor, a TXV, and a reservoir with a thermostat.

Maytridy · 05-11-09

Ah, well I guess that would explain why I couldn't find one

So I read up a little bit about TXV's (or TEV's) and they sound great. Are they that much cheaper? Any idea where I can find one around 1800-2000BTU?

thanks for the help! +rep

eclipseaudio4 · 05-11-09

Personally I would go with an AC window unit, you can put a controller on it to keep your temps where you want them. Plus It's nice to be able to go sub zero every once in a while.

T-stats
Here's a link to the company that produces and sells them direct. http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/T...CategoryID=351

Here's a link to where you can buy most of them cheaper. http://www.drillspot.com/brand/Love

Btw.. these are Love temperature switches/ panel mount.

You should talk to drew on that other forum about them tho. He will even wire them up for you for a small fee.

BTW this is also a good place to look around @ some of their stuff and learn. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...play.php?f=155

Maytridy · 05-11-09

Nice, thanks for those links!

But I'm worried that if I use an AC unit that I'll have to cycle it on and off constantly so that my temps don't get too cold and that could get kind of annoying/bad for the compressor, right?

+rep for the help!

eclipseaudio4 · 05-11-09

Yes it will cycle on an off but, If I remember correctly utnorris(on extreme) had his set up just above dew point(9*c) with a 1 gal res and his would cycle on every 30min for 3 min or so. It wont harm the compressor as long as you keep it under about 60*c which is easy once you have it pulled down.(at temp) Another thing is that you must have time between cycles, preferably more than 5-10min. Also If you think about it they probably cycle on and off being used they way they are intended quite often.

Here are two more links that pertain.
Leaving it running
utnoris's chiller build

EDIT: Remember you want high flow blocks.
Also with some insulation you could run it full tilt for some nice sub zero temps. Like say -20ish C

Maytridy · 05-11-09

Would subzero temps allow me to overclock much further?

Also, I'm looking for a solution that doesn't require a huge res. I'm wondering if a TXV wold allow me to do this because I can keep the compressor running but limit the amount of coolant flow so that I can keep my water chilled around room temp.

eclipseaudio4 · 05-11-09

well first off I was able to achieve the OC in my sig @ 10*c. With my normal WC'ing I get about 3.2 24/7 stable. If I had taken it colder(had I insulated) I believe I could have hit 4Ghz. A tvx would require modification of the AC unit. eg evacuation of the refrigerant, soldering, and recharging. Which can be a big PITA and can get expensive.

Maytridy · 05-11-09

Do they sell units with a tvx already installed?

Veltri · 05-11-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maytridy

[...] keep my water chilled around room temp.

I know you said not to say it but if you got a monster rad and a pump that pumps over 1500LPH, you could achieve this without refrigeration. That being said, a TXV is undoubtedly the best way to go for a chiller. With a 1/4 or 1/2 ton insert in your TXV you can expect pretty low temps. I'm not informed enough to know how you might get that more near to zero or ambient. Maybe a CPEV. Not sure, though, really. Maybe a one ton insert.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maytridy

Do they sell units with a tvx already installed?

You can get a commercial chiller with a TXV for sure. But it would be expensive as it is likely made for either lasers, medical stuff, or medical lasers. The easiest thing to do is buy a used condensing unit from your local HVAC place. Mine was $200 and it is pretty sweet.

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Water Chiller Compressor

05-11-09	#2 (permalink)
Reflexive New to Overclock.net Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 97 Rep: 7 Unique Rep: 6 Trader Rating: 0	500W should do. That's about 1800 BTU. You won't be able to get a variable DC compressor for that. They are incredibly expensive. Very. Very. And in that small of a size, doubt it. You want a small compressor, a TXV, and a reservoir with a thermostat.

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