Refrigerant cooled.

3089 Views 21 Replies 14 Participants Last post by sinder000, Oct 4, 2011

manolith

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2009

i got my hands on a R404 1/4hp condensing using from a small reach in freezer. i think i can make it into a nice sub 0 setup but i need some advice on how to keep constant temperatures on the evap.

the setup im thinking about is the following.
the evap i will make my self. from a 2" coper pipe. now the problem that im having is the following..
once i setup everything i know that i will be able to drop my evap temp to -30 to -20. the problem is that i do not want to short cycle the compressor because i will destry itself fairly quickly. what i have in mind is running the compressor all the time with a hot gas bypass valve to unload the compressor when im getting close to -25*c or -30*c. a temperature controller will engage the hot gas solenoid to pass super heated gass to the evap for a few seconds untill i bring tempeture up by maybe 5* to 10*c then the solenoid will close and regular cooling cycle will continue.
this is basicly the same principal of an ice machine but with much lower temperatures. now im not even sure that the unloader will ever have to work because im not sure the heat output of the cpu maybe there will be enough heat to keep the compressor working happy all the time but i dont think that a cpu will put out that much heat. i wonder if there is anyone here that has a similar setup with a constant rpm compressor.

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K3VL4R

· #2 · Mar 19, 2009

I don't have any experience with refrigeration cooling with computers but people here say it is difficult to set up without having the compressor burn out on you. My advice would be to Google how those open display freezers you see in grocery stores operate because they are always exposed to a heat source like your case would be.

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manolith

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 19, 2009

i do alot of refrigeration work and those open disply that you see in supermarket are a diffrent setup than what this would be.. they are coming of a refrigeration rack with a bunch of semi hermetic compressors ranging from 5 to 12 tons each depensing on the demand for cooling in the store. they cycle on and off and have hot gas defrost heater to deice the coil. but while it defrost the case temp stays pretty close to what the target temperature and keep in mind that nothing inside the actual case is generating heat. unlike a cpu which is generating heat all the time.. i guess i will have to experiment on this my self =b

Sistum Id

· #4 · Mar 19, 2009

Mine is some old drinking fountain from the 80s that runs off R 12.

When I first found/got it

Bit of paint and glue and its done.

It will work

Mine just ran on and off for 2 to 8 minutes. Get to 0-2, compressor would kick off and once it got to 10c, compressor would kick on. Ran like that for almost a year until condensation became a huge issue and I was too lazy to prevent so I just terminated the project until I get motivated again.

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BlackOmega

· #5 · Mar 19, 2009

Out of curiosity how loud are those compressors?

slickwilly

· #6 · Mar 19, 2009

Could you set it up with a veritable compressor that would control it's pressure by ether
adjusting it's speed or displacement thus allowing the motor to run continually

skunksmash

· #7 · Mar 19, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sistum Id

View Post

Mine is some old drinking fountain from the 80s that runs off R 12.

When I first found/got it

Bit of paint and glue and its done.

It will work

Mine just ran on and off for 2 to 8 minutes. Get to 0-2, compressor would kick off and once it got to 10c, compressor would kick on. Ran like that for almost a year until condensation became a huge issue and I was too lazy to prevent so I just terminated the project until I get motivated again.

where did it condensate..?? by the CPU block..??

there must be a way to perfect this method........ i have also been thinking of something like this, what about lagging the tubes..??

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5

manolith

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 19, 2009

you can virtualy make the compressor silent if you insulate it properly.. sistum id your setup is very nice but its also very simple to do.. you are just chilling water. i dont know maybe i will go that route but i want to go sub 0. ill have to use glycol maybe. i really want the direct cooling effect from the r404 refrigerant tho.

manolith

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 20, 2009

well today i got my hands on a fairly new Oasis P8AC Water Fountain. it has an 8 galon per hour capacity of 50*f water.. i already took it apart and have it runningon a 20"x20" plywood board.. i managed to get 38*f so far which is very nice there is no load at the moment on it the water is just sitting in the tank but i think that i shouldnt have any problems getting temps of 35*f i need to adjust the refrigerant charge because im getting some flooding on the compressor causing it to condensate alot i should have it all straight tomorrow then i should start working on building a nice case for it probably a woody. this is going to save me alot of trouble over the vaporchill type setup i wanted. i will need to tips on insulating the motheboard and processor. ill get some pics this weekend

kilrbe3

· #10 · Mar 20, 2009

Just be careful, some people will tell you, your asking for trouble if your not careful on what your doing. Seems like you are, so best of luck

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manolith

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 20, 2009

well i got the charge perfect after playing with the superheat i managed to drop temp below 32*f which started to freeze the water in the barrel. im sure that i can get 0*f or -17c with this setup ofcourse not with water but with glycol antifreeze. no condensation anywhere so far i will be building a little case for it tomorrow and tomorrow i will have pics ready. now someone please give me so tips on mobo and cpu insulation. =b

Admiral Mudkipz

· #12 · Mar 22, 2009

Don't have any experience with refrigerator cooling, but I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Illusion Of Progress

· #13 · Mar 22, 2009

I'm surprised you haven't been shot down already. I'd like to see this though, good luck!

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procpuarie

· #14 · Mar 22, 2009

people saying this will not work, umm this is what you call phase change (this is the proper name). this should be moved to the phase change section. ask ira-k, he may be able to help you. my dad also works with this stuff so I will get him to help you. one sec.

SinX7

· #15 · Mar 22, 2009

I saw a PC Case with this kind of thing.

Is this one

http://www.xpressar.com/product/rsc1...-features.html

x2s3w4

· #16 · Mar 22, 2009

This is for LN2/DICE for a sub zero set up but it might be a good read for you.

procpuarie

· #17 · Mar 22, 2009

the compressor isn't strong enough to run that (being from a fridge) and the type it is cannot handle a headload like that without temps jumping around. a window air conditioner is what you would need.

manolith

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 22, 2009

im sure that this compressor is stong enough for this setup. this compressors can run 24/7 if the charge is correct and the condensing coil is clean. i have a head presure control on it so if my head goes over 225psi it will shut down and an alarm will go off.

procpuarie

· #19 · Mar 22, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by manolith

View Post

im sure that this compressor is stong enough for this setup. this compressors can run 24/7 if the charge is correct and the condensing coil is clean. i have a head presure control on it so if my head goes over 225psi it will shut down and an alarm will go off.

my dad works in hvac. he says the freezer type (unless walk-in) will burn out from 24/7 (or even less) use and the heatload amount will make the temps jump. use a window a/c unit instead.

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manolith

Discussion Starter · #20 · Mar 22, 2009

well this is just a test setup im sure it the compressor wont go out on me.. the amp draw is perfect but i might be wrong =b ive been wrong before hehe

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