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Battery Stopper

S

StellaTerra

Weaksauce
Joined
Oct 17, 2008
Messages
67
I've read multiple times on the 'net that using a AA battery as a stopper for a 1/2" hose would work, and it does, I used one for about a month.
Today I was stress testing my video card and looking at system temps. I'm not sure if what happened was due to the testing, or if it was unrelated, but I started feeling around in system to see if anything felt hot and I discovered something odd. Rivatuner looked good, speedfan looked good, the tubing felt cool so I assumed the coolant was good, the radiator felt fine, and then I touched something very very hot. I felt around only to realize that it was, in fact, the AA battery plugged in to the t-line being used as a stopper. My mind reeled for a second as I try to figure out why a component largely outside the normal cooling loop would be hot, and then it occurred to me: I was using a live battery cell, and somehow it was reacting!
I shut everything down and grabbed a towel and pulled out the battery. It was extraordinarily hot, and though it's difficult to gauge temperature with my hand I'd say easily above the coolant temp. I inspected the battery and realized that the bottom had rust on it and some white substance, and that the wrapper had come partially off during extraction.
It still feels hot right now, after 15 minutes, though I think it's a little cooler. Does anyone have ANY idea what's going on? Was it incredibly stupid for me to use it in the first place?
WTF?!?!
 
You just had a lesson in chemistry. I mean, seriously, THINK about this. Use a battery as a stopper?! Just because people do it doesn't mean it is right, or smart. I'll link you to a simple little product that will last forever.

http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/bishsiseplfo.html

Now, I would seriously suggest draining and cleaning your system. Dispose of the water (which now contains electrolytes and other corrosive substances) and scrub anything from your pump(s) and block(s). Flush your rads with distilled water, and reassemble everything with the correct parts. If you don't use something like I linked, a cork, rubber stopper, or even crimping the hose with forceps is preferable.

Oh, and it would have gotten much worse very soon. At least your stuff may be in good shape still.
 
I had a lesson in chemistry!?!? Crap! I missed it! Can I look at your notes? 'Cause I sure as hell don't know what the lesson was or why this bizarre failure occurred.
System drained and refilled, but there is no way I'm spending $8 on a plug. I stuck a conveniently sized screw driver in the hole, I'll find a better free long term solution soon.

I just really want to know what happened. Thanks for the post, though.
 
StellaTerra said:
I had a lesson in chemistry!?!? Crap! I missed it! Can I look at your notes? 'Cause I sure as hell don't know what the lesson was or why this bizarre failure occurred.
System drained and refilled, but there is no way I'm spending $8 on a plug. I stuck a conveniently sized screw driver in the hole, I'll find a better free long term solution soon.

I just really want to know what happened. Thanks for the post, though.
Click to expand...

Water + metal = corrosion

Corrosion = bad in a loop
 


I've used a lot of John Guest & Parker Hannafin fittings in my WC builds over the years. These are the plugs I've used; you should be able to find them at any hardware store that carries the fittings I mentioned above...might be a different color, but only cost $1.00 or so.
:)
 
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