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[Build Log] Water Cooled Raspberry Pi Mod/Build.

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wthenshaw

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I sat musing today thinking that I need a new project as I've been rather bored of late.
Only water cooling I've done has been with CLCs and I thought I would get into it via a safe route with less risks but still have some fun, therefore my new project:

Watercooling a Raspberry Pi.

Completely overkill, but who cares? This is OCN after all.

My plan!

Use a small generic pump, two small (individual) ram water blocks and a reservoir. No radiator here as I doubt it will get that hot.

I plan on making some form of case for all these components from perspex, mounting the pump and res down below, and the RBP up top, maybe flipped upside down to route tubes better (not sure yet)

Components:

Two RAM water blocks
Generic 12v Pump (operating voltage 3.5v-12v)
1m 3mmID 6mm OD clear hose
Raspberry PI

Update 1: The radiator.

Update 2: The layout (Sketchup).

Update 3: Starting work on the scratch case.

Update 4: More scratch case work.

Update 5: Packages, hoses and altering fittings.

Update 6: More fittings and a revised loop layout.

Update 7: The Raspberry Pi!

Update 8: Installing the operating system.

Update 9: More hoses being fitted.

Update 10: Refitting the water blocks.

Update 11: This Arctic Silver Thermal Epoxy is great stuff!

Update 12: More of the loop appearing.

Update 13: Power supply options.

Update 14: Lighting option.

Update 15: HDMI port.

Update 16: Test fill.

Update 17: Better lighting photos.

Update 18: More I/O ports and power.

Update 19: Finished rear panel.

Update 20: Work on the front panel.

Update 21: A size comparison.

Update 22: The pump!!!

Update 23: More wiring and sleeving.

Update 24: Work on the front window.

Update 25: Finished perspex window.

Update 26: Refill and retest.

Update 27: Chassis painting.

Update 28: Semi-final photos.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Silver View Post

To be able to watercool something that small is no small feat. The time and effort should be applauded. The other entries are stunning and well done. But I just get that felling when I look at them that says: "Its been done before." The super clean water cooling tubing, spectacular lighting, etc. But the Pi. The time and effort to get the blocks, the coiling of the copper tubing, the planing and modding of the other components. Thats not something that done on a weekly basis. Thats what gets my vote. Its out side of the box and extraordinary.
Click to expand...
Quote:
Originally Posted by wthenshaw View Post

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Ambient lighting, powered on, suppressed flash.
Click to expand...

Credit to Artikbot for suggesting the pump, thanks again for the help
 
#2 ·
Smallest reservoir I can think of is 40mm from bitspower.
 
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Discussion starter · #3 ·
Links of you have them please? This seems to be the hardest to part unless I make the case a lot bigger than I want it
 
#5 ·
Yes, that one.
 
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#6 ·
Don't know if THIS would work or not.

Just puttin it out there
 
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Discussion starter · #7 ·
Not been able to find the bitspower in Stock in the UK yet and the swiftech is still too big at about 100x100x38mm

Others have suggested just running a t line, which I may have to go with at this rate.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Decided against using a reservoir in favour of a T Line,

Currently toying around with the idea of some form of "radiator" solution, not needed I know but I guess the water will eventually start to heat up a little.

Still working on a sketchup of the layout etc. as I find the dimensions to new components.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Small update for you guys:

Experimenting with methods of cooling down the liquid slightly, and coiled up a meter of copper brake piping. I think it looks okay, needs spacing out a little first and maybe a polish. What do you guys think?

This also doubles up to add more water volume in since there won't be a reservoir.

Welded two sliders together for the general shape


started to wrap the pipe around the mould.


Current state




 
#11 ·
I was gonna say why not space the piping a bit and find a way to mount a fan at the top or bottom of the coil to blow air across the piping?
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Silver View Post

I was gonna say why not space the piping a bit and find a way to mount a fan at the top or bottom of the coil to blow air across the piping?
Click to expand...
I'll see when its put together,

I've made a quick basic Sketchup of the layout I'm thinking so far.


 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Placed an order for the Alphacool T Piece, a plug to seal the fill point up, two hose fittings, thermal tape and a few other things.

Only thing left to order is the Raspberry Pi itself which will be ordered after I've been paid next week.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Can't decide whether to use my design in the above sketch up photos or to make a actual miniature tower from maybe aluminium with a perspex side panel.

What do you guys think??
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
UPDATE:

Came up with a new layout and loop order, nothing definite though.

Everything except the RPi has been dispatched, unboxing when I arrive home.


 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Some more Sketchup concepts for you, so far I like this layout.


 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by richie_2010 View Post

Just make it out of perspex it will be strong enough.

Cool idea buddy ive seen people wc lappys but not a pi
Click to expand...
Well I like the idea of having a physical chassis rather than the kind of open air perspex idea I had before
 
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wthenshaw
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