Few WC Questions...

[Ur_Mom]

I have a few questions about a new WC build I'm planning. I didn't find the answers from a search, though.

The WC box is going to be external (so I can change cases whenever...) and want the majority of the parts in the external case. I want my WC to be below my PC case (like a PC stand!).

1. My reservoir. It would have to be the highest point in the loop, wouldn't it? I don't want the water to overflow every time I need to add some water.

2. I have a 120v pump and am going to have a relay to turn it on the same time as my PC. I was wondering the best way to get 12V power to the relay from the PC. I don't know what gauge of wire is needed, as it won't have much draw. I could do a RJ45 cable or something and use a wire from that, but I think it'd be way too small. Maybe a custom molex cable... Any thoughts?

3. Fan design. I have 2 120mm fans with a single DTek Cooler Core. Would I notice any difference with 2 fans (1 push, 1 pull), or one do the job (pull)? I can only move so much air, and with the shrouds, I would guess one would be the best option.

4. Quick Connects. What are the best for 1/2"? I want to make the WC case portable (just in case), and want to make it with as little water spillage as possible.

5. Boobies and Beer. Is it ok to watch porn and drink beer while tackling a job like this? It wouldn't be cheap Busch beer, it'd be a nice Arrogant Bastard or something. I don't want to over do it, but I figured it'd make the job go smoother. "What's that white stuff in your WC loop..... Ooooohhhhh.... Gross.".

Thanks for the help! I know I can always find good advice here. I'll be opening a worklog soon to showcase my travels. And I'll have to photoshop the boobies out for those little guys in the forums. Gotta make it 17 year old friendly.

 

[JC634]

I have a few questions about a new WC build I'm planning. I didn't find the answers from a search, though.

The WC box is going to be external (so I can change cases whenever...) and want the majority of the parts in the external case. I want my WC to be below my PC case (like a PC stand!).

1. My reservoir. It would have to be the highest point in the loop, wouldn't it? I don't want the water to overflow every time I need to add some water.

2. I have a 120v pump and am going to have a relay to turn it on the same time as my PC. I was wondering the best way to get 12V power to the relay from the PC. I don't know what gauge of wire is needed, as it won't have much draw. I could do a RJ45 cable or something and use a wire from that, but I think it'd be way too small. Maybe a custom molex cable... Any thoughts?

3. Fan design. I have 2 120mm fans with a single DTek Cooler Core. Would I notice any difference with 2 fans (1 push, 1 pull), or one do the job (pull)? I can only move so much air, and with the shrouds, I would guess one would be the best option.

4. Quick Connects. What are the best for 1/2"? I want to make the WC case portable (just in case), and want to make it with as little water spillage as possible.

5. Boobies and Beer. Is it ok to watch porn and drink beer while tackling a job like this? It wouldn't be cheap Busch beer, it'd be a nice Arrogant Bastard or something. I don't want to over do it, but I figured it'd make the job go smoother. "What's that white stuff in your WC loop..... Ooooohhhhh.... Gross.".

Thanks for the help! I know I can always find good advice here. I'll be opening a worklog soon to showcase my travels. And I'll have to photoshop the boobies out for those little guys in the forums. Gotta make it 17 year old friendly.

1. Perhaps in the return loop? In my setup (external box, also), 1 of my rads is directly above my res. The pump is between these items, of course (no back-flow).

2. Ever hear of a power strip?

3. I won't pretend to be expert on sizing rads, but I would think you need to provide more system info for someone to give an intelligient response.

4. http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/pr...=USPlastic&category_name=6917&product_id=7413

5. Only if you want to hear the Zzzzzt of electrical components getting fried.

 

[Ranker]

I have a few questions about a new WC build I'm planning. I didn't find the answers from a search, though.

The WC box is going to be external (so I can change cases whenever...) and want the majority of the parts in the external case. I want my WC to be below my PC case (like a PC stand!).

1. My reservoir. It would have to be the highest point in the loop, wouldn't it? I don't want the water to overflow every time I need to add some water.

Yes, for bleeding and filling reasons, the reservoir should always be at highest point of your loop.

2. I have a 120v pump and am going to have a relay to turn it on the same time as my PC. I was wondering the best way to get 12V power to the relay from the PC. I don't know what gauge of wire is needed, as it won't have much draw. I could do a RJ45 cable or something and use a wire from that, but I think it'd be way too small. Maybe a custom molex cable... Any thoughts?

Purchase a switch relay kit from either www.petrastechshop.com or www.performance-pcs.com. It's ready made an simplifies the whole wiring process for your.

3. Fan design. I have 2 120mm fans with a single DTek Cooler Core. Would I notice any difference with 2 fans (1 push, 1 pull), or one do the job (pull)? I can only move so much air, and with the shrouds, I would guess one would be the best option.

Pull works best for most radiators and is often the quietest solution. The advantage of push/pull depends on how efficient your radiator is at dissipating heat and if your radiator is getting maxed out. For your specific case, I'd do push pull since your radiator is definitely getting taxed.

4. Quick Connects. What are the best for 1/2"? I want to make the WC case portable (just in case), and want to make it with as little water spillage as possible.

You can get quick disconnects from either alphacool or better ones from Colder Plastics sold at McMaster.com

The alphacool ones are thinner but severely restrict flow. I've used both and would prefer the ones from Colder Plastics.

5. Boobies and Beer. Is it ok to watch porn and drink beer while tackling a job like this? It wouldn't be cheap Busch beer, it'd be a nice Arrogant Bastard or something. I don't want to over do it, but I figured it'd make the job go smoother. "What's that white stuff in your WC loop..... Ooooohhhhh.... Gross.".

Thanks for the help! I know I can always find good advice here. I'll be opening a worklog soon to showcase my travels. And I'll have to photoshop the boobies out for those little guys in the forums. Gotta make it 17 year old friendly.

Boobies and beer are great for the leak test...just not during the setup itself =)

 

[JC634]

Yes, for bleeding and filling reasons, the reservoir should always be at highest point of your loop.

Never say never... or always. There are a lot of setups in the wild that have the rad in the top of case. In none (never? ) of them, have I seen a reservoir sitting above the rad!

 

[javisaman]

Never say never... or always. There are a lot of setups in the wild that have the rad in the top of case. In none (never? ) of them, have I seen a reservoir sitting above the rad!

When bleeding/filling the res should ALWAYS be at the highest point or you'll get a lot of air in the loop. But once you've bled/filled the system the res can be anywhere.

 

[JC634]

When bleeding/filling the res should ALWAYS be at the highest point or you'll get a lot of air in the loop. But once you've bled/filled the system the res can be anywhere.

meh. I redone my loops 3-4 times within the last year. I've had a Swiftech micro and the current bay reservoir. Neither were at the lowest point, and air was out the system within a very short time each time. Each time, I would run the D5 at the lowest setting I could, and still circulate the fluid, until everything was steady state. Maybe that is the secret...

Or maybe I must just be lucky... Usually the ones who have problems are those with fillports... at the highest point in the system.

It is interesting to note that it sure seems easy for some to be able to move components of a WC system around. Something that I have ALWAYS found quite difficult once I've got everything plumbed. I guess some people do a better job of leaving extra tubing in their installation to allow movement of components after initial plumbing.

 

[buffbiff21]

In none (never? ) of them, have I seen a reservoir sitting above the rad!

LOL

Res needs to be above only the Pump to make fills easier.

 

[javisaman]

Maybe its just me...but whenever I raise up my res there are always a few bubbles that plop out. It might just be my setup. My rad is a triple rad mounted in the back with the barbs at the bottom. Okay, I guess I shouldn't have said "always."

 

[JC634]

Maybe its just me...but whenever I raise up my rad there are always a few bubbles that plop out. It might just be my setup. My rad is a triple rad mounted in the back with the barbs at the bottom. Okay, I guess I shouldn't have said "always."

That's OK ("always"). FWIW, I've "heard" (in these forums) that mounting the rad with barbs at the bottom is bad for bleeding, also. Might be the reason why for you, altho I have never understood why it would make a differance.

 

[Ranker]

That's OK ("always"). FWIW, I've "heard" (in these forums) that mounting the rad with barbs at the bottom is bad for bleeding, also. Might be the reason why for you, altho I have never understood why it would make a differance.

It makes it harder, but if you're going to do a 24 hour leak test, you're bleeding it at the same time so it doesn't really matter much anyway. That's one nice thing about PA radiators is that they include a barb screw at the opposite end of the barbs.

 

[JC634]

@OP. Have we answered your questions, or have we strayed too far from the original subject?

Or simply confused you?

Just asking...

 

[JC634]

It makes it harder, but if you're going to do a 24 hour leak test, you're bleeding it at the same time so it doesn't really matter much anyway. That's one nice thing about PA radiators is that they include a barb screw at the opposite end of the barbs.

I would sure like one of those PA rads. I just never could justify the cost for one. Kinda like not being able to justify the cost of AC stuff!

UhOh, time to dodge the bullets!

 

[Ranker]

I would sure like one of those PA rads. I just never could justify the cost for one. Kinda like not being able to justify the cost of AC stuff!

UhOh, time to dodge the bullets!

LOL. I got the Fire Extinguisher ready for ya in case the AC mob squad catches on.

 

[R1ckCa1n]

I would sure like one of those PA rads. I just never could justify the cost for one. Kinda like not being able to justify the cost of AC stuff!

UhOh, time to dodge the bullets!

LOL. I got the Fire Extinguisher ready for ya in case the AC mob squad catches on.

Ahhhh jealousy

 

[Ur_Mom]

@OP. Have we answered your questions, or have we strayed too far from the original subject?

Or simply confused you?

Just asking...

I think I'm good! I was thinking of just putting the case on top, with a reservoir up there at the highest point. Works out perfect. It's not like I'm going to make the case too ugly, anyway! Those Colder couplings look nice!


Thanks for all the replies. I was a little upset about not being able to watch the boobies and drink a brew while making this, but I guess my attention should be on the dremel at all times! "Look Boobi-----AAAAAAAAAAA. Wow, nice rack. Ow.".

 

[Ranker]

I think I'm good! I was thinking of just putting the case on top, with a reservoir up there at the highest point. Works out perfect. It's not like I'm going to make the case too ugly, anyway! Those Colder couplings look nice!


Thanks for all the replies. I was a little upset about not being able to watch the boobies and drink a brew while making this, but I guess my attention should be on the dremel at all times! "Look Boobi-----AAAAAAAAAAA. Wow, nice rack. Ow.".

One note about the Colder couplings... they are huge. Seriously huge. I have two pairs and can say they're well made and have little impact on flow. However, just make sure you have room for something that's basically 1.25" in diameter.