Extreme External EXTERIOR Cooler: Window Box - Overclock.net

*CyberDruid* · 10-12-07

Well I finally got a chance to make the Window Box cooler I have been thinking about for weeks.

The idea is simple: mount the rad/fan/and pump(s) like a Window Unit AC. This takes advantage of the cooler Fall air and come Winter some serious cooling is in store

I fabricated the unit from aluminum and acrylic. The rad/fan and pumps are protected by an acrylic shield. The window clamps the unit against the sill. I used a PA160/Panaflo 86.5 CFM/2 db-1 pumps one on each port of the radiator. I wired up a special molex that plugs directly into the modular PSU on Black Knight.

I am very pleased with the result. I cannot hear the unit at all. The window is only open 1"--just enough to clamp the unit. There is NO air gap--so no worries about insects or weather getting in the house.

Best of all (except for the cooling gear) it was very simple and cheap to make. The actual frame is only about $26 in Aluminum and $10 in acrylic.

Obviously one could use any type of rad set up. I chose the PA 160 because it is superb and only requires a single fan.

The db-1 pumps are providing about 2.5 psi which is pretty good.

Best of all when Winter comes I will be getting temps usually reserved for Pelt action and without the extra PITA and power consumption.

Obviously this all depends on the ambients...but in general in my region this is the time of year it stays very mild all the time.

I'll post some shots (taken at night lol) and may see if I can get some more speed from Black Knight now that I have such excellent temps.

I dropped 20C on my load temps. That''s a HUGE drop. 15.8C ambient is a beautiful thing. 100% load at 3200mhz and only 34C makes me smile

Pics in a bit

IwubAMD · 10-12-07

great, have anything for floridians

*CyberDruid* · 10-12-07

13C ambient

Kriegen · 10-12-07

sweet

*CyberDruid* · 10-12-07

Quote:

Originally Posted by IwubAMD

great, have anything for floridians

Head North my friend...JK

This same unit could be placed right over an AC vent in the home too.

dk8100 · 10-12-07

you worried about condensation at all?

**pjlietz** · 10-12-07

No fair! Where are the pic's

Man I wish I had windows in my basment!

Dezixn · 10-12-07

Pshhhh

If only we could do that in Texas...

If you even crack the door open all the cold air rushes out

If you can call 80F cold air...

Rick Arter · 10-12-07

I want pics.................

CyberDruid FTW in any category!!!!!!!

*CyberDruid* · 10-12-07

The first couple of times I fired up the pumps I got a quick jab of PSI on the gauge then nada. I kept diddling and filling until I got a solid 2.5 psi then fired up Black Knight and popped into BIOS ASAP. After boot PC Probe registered 19C (it is about 10C lower than Core Temp which won;t work in Vista 64bit))

Using a 110VAC CCL UV lamp for leak testing. That was not a leak but a spill when connecting the line to the Window Box. I used 1/2" barb to 3/4" hose ends (solid brass) and they are very handy if you need to part lines or whatever.

Wish I could fine a 0-5 PSI gauge...or even 0-10. But at
least I can tell in a heartbeat if there is an issue with the loop. At about $12 this is cheap insurance.

It's a very simple yet weatherprof set up. The aluminum seals the gap at the window and locks onto the lip and supports the unit at a nice angle when clamped to the sill by the window. I cut a stick to wedge the window tightly against the unit and locked that into position inside the house--this would also prevent anyone from breaking in.

The camera does not do it justice--but the UV lamp makes the "Rams Horn" tubing glow brilliantly outside

The db-1 pumps are supported by the tubing and grommets in the acrylic. I use stainless steel pinchclamps so it is very very secure and no chance of leaks.
I used 3 pin to molex adapters and taped them completely in 3M electrical tape to prevent any corrosion and routed a custom made female to female molex through split loom to the Silverstone DA 750 where it plugs directly to the PSU with a shemale molex.o..O

Db-1 pumps are 100% waterproof...you could run them submerged. The rad is copper and brass and painted in black oxide so no corrosion issue there and the Panaflo 86.5 CFM fan is completely under the acrylic shield and pushes air through the rad--so no chance of sucking rain into the fan. I love OUTDOOR COMPUTING!

I used a T-line and made sure it was long enough to be a lot higher than the highest point of the loop (the waterblock). The loop is filled with Dasani purified water and about 1/2 oz of tracerline Clear UV Blue. Filling was very safe and easy... I held the filport over a bowl in case of drips or burps and found that I could run the pumps with the filport open--which really aided bleeding the loop.

A single db-1 might have been up to the task--but due the length of the lines I wanted to use (in case I choose to relocate the PC) and the restrictive nature of the Stinger waterblock I chose two. I am very happy with the results.

The ambient continues to drop: now at 11.7C PC Probe shows 34C. Earlier today using the Monolith cooler with 21C ambient I was getting 54C load temps.

Those sorts of intake temps are usually found in a AC unit/rad rigs or perhaps in a chilled water loop. I have gained over 20C in headroom--which means I can crank the volts and see if I can get this rig to run a bit faster.

If you are lucky enough to be living in an area with low ambients like this you should definitely give it a try.

BTW my Wife LOVES this invention. She puts up with my Farm in the music room...but I know the noise of the Iwaki and 6 Panaflos does get on her nerves at times. This rig will allow you to run a virtually silent PC.

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Cooling > Water Cooling
Extreme External EXTERIOR Cooler: Window Box

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)