[ModMinded]

I'm in the process of building/planning a watercooling loop, and need some specific input.

In case any of you haven't seen my wanted thread, you should check it out for background. I've got most of the foundation materials, but am especially interested in getting some old fittings (barbs, angles, etc.)

A true gentleman of these forums, slickwilly, hooked me up with some "starter" gear. Thanks again slickwilly! You're my first sponsor!

That is an apogee GT (with all the fittings) and some koolance 7950GT coolers. (Well, one's for an ati card.)

The Koolance cards.

GT and its accessories.

This is gonna be great to cool the hardware in my Peavey mod. That's a 939 socket and the EVGA 7950GT. I'm thinking I'll hack up the remaining koolance block for use as a NB cooler.

The ApogeeGT comes with a variety of fitting sizes, and slickwilly provided some vinyl tubing in the 3/8 and 1/2 varieties. The Koolances can only take 1/4, and my local ace is out of it until wednesday.

What I'm thinking I should do, and would like some input on, is the use of mixed sizes of tubing in a loop, and thoughts on manifold usage.
I'm thinking that I could create a simple manifold out of a capped tube and 2 1/4 fittings (Koolance as GPU and NB coolers) and one 3/8 or 1/2 for the apogee gt.
Would there be any problems with going Pump -> Rad (bong)-> Manifold -> 3 blocks - 3 returns to Res - Pump?

I was going to try and fix this Rio Pump

but a replacement impeller would be like $35, and the pump would still require a lot of modification for WC. So I'm thinking I should be able to spend a little more and get a suitable pump.

Also, to add to the mix, my first rad will be a heatercore from huntman21014, which has 1/2 barbs I believe.

 

[ModMinded]

Update. I'll be getting a non vario D5 from TopFuel, so it's getting close to building time. No thoughts on the first post... sure could use some advice!

 

[TopFuel1471]

Well??

 

[ModMinded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopFuel1471 Well??

Lol, I'm not sure if you're asking if i've gotten the pump yet, or if there's any advice someone has about Manifolds.

No on the pump (we'll see about the office tomorrow) and no responses to the questions here. Naja responded to a PM, so I think I'll be fine manifolding, but might need to get a valve to be able to tweak flow rates.

 

[ira-k]

I think they have these in 3/8"-1/4" also but you can get 3/8" tubing on 1/2" fittings pretty easily anyway.+Swiftech "F" Fitting 1/2" Body to 1/4" Branch Set of 2

I'd run it res-pump-rad-CPU then somewhere after that put these fittings in and run it through the 1/4" loop then back to your 3/8" further down the line.It doesn't take much to cool off a GPU anyway unless your volt modding them.

Those Koolance blocks probably have aluminium in them so be sure to use some anti-corrosive so you don't get galvanic corrosion. 10-15% anti-freeze the rest distilled works pretty well, you'll know when its time to change it because it will start turning cloudy, that means its going back to a acidic Ph. Anti-freeze make a decent biocide to.

I'll leave you my cleaning and set-up PDF, it has all my coolant recipe in it. Be sure to clean your gear out well to, you can get all kinds of crud growing in it if you don't.

 

[ChielScape]

yeah, that's definately anodised aluminum... koolance only recently made the switch to copper/brass

 

[ModMinded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ira-k I think they have these in 3/8"-1/4" also but you can get 3/8" tubing on 1/2" fittings pretty easily anyway.+Swiftech "F" Fitting 1/2" Body to 1/4" Branch Set of 2 I'd run it res-pump-rad-CPU then somewhere after that put these fittings in and run it through the 1/4" loop then back to your 3/8" further down the line.It doesn't take much to cool off a GPU anyway unless your volt modding them. Those Koolance blocks probably have aluminium in them so be sure to use some anti-corrosive so you don't get galvanic corrosion. 10-15% anti-freeze the rest distilled works pretty well, you'll know when its time to change it because it will start turning cloudy, that means its going back to a acidic Ph. Anti-freeze make a decent biocide to. I'll leave you my cleaning and set-up PDF, it has all my coolant recipe in it. Be sure to clean your gear out well to, you can get all kinds of crud growing in it if you don't.

Thanks for the link and advice, Ira. I'd already found and DLed your PDF, so I'm gonna be using that info for sure. I'm a little confused by the fittings you linked to, it looks like the main larger (1/2 or 3/8) continues on with a 1/4 offshoot. Wouldn't a single union style adapter be better? I mean, res-pump-rad- cpu - 1/4 adapter - GPU- 3/8 adapter- res? I'd think I'd need something to 'force' the flow into the 1/4 tubing, otherwise it would try taking the easy way out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChielScape yeah, that's definately anodised aluminum... koolance only recently made the switch to copper/brass

Thanks for the confirmation Chielscape!

 

[ira-k]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModMinded Thanks for the link and advice, Ira. I'd already found and DLed your PDF, so I'm gonna be using that info for sure. I'm a little confused by the fittings you linked to, it looks like the main larger (1/2 or 3/8) continues on with a 1/4 offshoot. Wouldn't a single union style adapter be better? I mean, res-pump-rad- cpu - 1/4 adapter - GPU- 3/8 adapter- res? I'd think I'd need something to 'force' the flow into the 1/4 tubing, otherwise it would try taking the easy way out.

But that restricts your flow down when it goes through the 1/4" barbs. There would or should be enough back pressure on your loop to still get flow thorough the GPU's on that 1/4" side loop with the "F" fittings, it doesn't take much to cool a GPU.

Quote:

What I'm thinking I should do, and would like some input on, is the use of mixed sizes of tubing in a loop, and thoughts on manifold usage. I'm thinking that I could create a simple manifold out of a capped tube and 2 1/4 fittings (Koolance as GPU and NB coolers) and one 3/8 or 1/2 for the apogee gt. Would there be any problems with going Pump -> Rad (bong)-> Manifold -> 3 blocks - 3 returns to Res - Pump?

But I should of read your post better to..

..

..Your just need a quick fix till you can get some more barbs on the GPU's. A maniflod or distribution block like that should work fine to and should pretty well keep up flow to the CPU. If you see that the 2-1/4" GPU loops are taking away from the CPU cooling just crimp the tubing a little to the GPU's to slow down the flow to them a little.

 

[ModMinded]

Excellent advice! Thanks1

 

[ModMinded]

TopFuel's pump was sitting outside my office door today when I got into work....

 

[ira-k]

You'll like that D-5 are nice pumps!

Hey if you wanted to make a more permanent manifold you could just use a piece of 3/4-1" PVC pipe with a end cap on either end and just a couple of 1/4" and a 1/2" brass barbs siliconed into it.There wouldn't be any way to proportion water to each leg of it other then crimping tubing but it would work.

CD made a nice one from brass gas valves but that would be kind of pricey.

 

[TopFuel1471]

I kind of miss that pump. It was my first one

Glad to see you're happy with it. Just don't run it dry, make sure it's primed with water before turning it on.

Now get your rig together!

 

[ModMinded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopFuel1471 I kind of miss that pump. It was my first one Glad to see you're happy with it. Just don't run it dry, make sure it's primed with water before turning it on. Now get your rig together!

Yes Sir! Working on it...

Still need the heatercore, but will probably be at least testing the pump and blocks out for leaks and how to fit it all together.

I'll definitely be using a manifold, I'll have to search for CD's brass one... that sounds pretty cool.

 

[ModMinded]

Today, the mail lady at the office gave me a box! I immediately knew what was in it.... hunterman21014's Heater Core!

Thanks Hunter for getting it out despite the problems!

Pics!

That's a 6" scale on it. That dent in the side was scary, but I don't see any holes.

The nozzles

120mm fan for scale

I'm not sure how it had fans mounted to it... will have to figure something out.

I went out to my local ace and picked up some PVC end caps to fit some pipe I had lying around, as well as some 1/4" and 1/2" ID tubing.

Here's Slickwilly's Apogee GT disassembled:

I could not get a closeup of the block with this $#!+! camera, no matter how many times i tried to tweak the macro settings.

Then I set up for leak testing.

Videos!

First try:

YouTube - H2O Test1

There you can really hear that it's pretty quiet.

No leaks so far, though you can see a drop or two from the hose connection to the core barb.

I heated the 1/2" tubing in some microwaved water and slid the tubes on over all the fittings. I didn't use any clamps or zipties, but will have to later since this stiff tubing has the propensity to rock a bit on the nozzles.

 

[N2Gaming]

Looks like it's coming along pretty nice. GJ

 

[ModMinded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by N2Gaming Looks like it's coming along pretty nice. GJ

Thanks N2Gaming!
I ran a leak test all night, with just some zip ties around the core's barbs, and everything was still dry and happy this morning. Loudest noise was the whine of my crappy bench testing PSU I was using to power the pump.

I still have to work on Manifolding for the 1/4" ID Koolance fittings. Will have to pick up some sealant and possibly a tap for the nozzles to be screwed into the PVC pipe, and then assemble and test.

But yes, it's coming along pretty nicely, and I'm happy!

Edit:

YouTube - Leaktest3 - Quiet Time

 

[ModMinded]

Good news!
Spazghost hit me up in my wanted thread and offered an apogee gtz that had seen better days. That's shipping now, thanks to his prompt action!

I stopped by ace and picked up some 1/4 and 1/2 barbs, some silicone, and a new table saw blade.

I started by making a v block to hold tubes while drilling.

YouTube - V Block

(I also took a trip by TAP Plastics, as you might be able to tell in the video.)

Work on the manifold proceeded. i drilled a hole in one endcap with a forstner bit. I bought a 3/8NPT tap to tap out for the barb. I need another one for the 1/4 size. I'm ordering a 1/4 BSPP tap from mcmaster for future use. Couldn't find one locally, and ace couldn't order one for me. I've got the order on hold while i try to remember all the other stuff I wanted to get from them, but didn't want to pay shipping on.
Pics later.

 

[TopFuel1471]

Glad to see my pump is working out for you.

 

[N2Gaming]

Can't wait to see how the V-Block project turns out when finished.

EDIT: I guess the V-Block if finished. DOUGH

I was thinking you would use the wood on the bulid. LOL Any way, at least I learned some thing from it.

 

[ModMinded]

Thanks TopFuel and N2Gaming.
I'm actually using the vblock now, working on drilling some new holes. Will have to stop by ACE again to get some proper sized drill bits (37/64 and 7/16) for predrilling the 3/8 and 1/4 npt taps. I hate spending money for tools I won't be using very often.

I drilled and taped the pvc manifold piece, and siliconed in some barbs. I need to let that cure for a day or so before I apply the pvc sealant/glue with endcaps... and then wait another day before testing.

I'm also working on a res out of some acrylic tube I picked up yesterday(why I need the drills!) V Block in effect there as well. Pics to come later.