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Making a reservoir temperature sensor

C

CC_Pirate

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
463
I am thinking about doing a temperature sensor mod so I can measure the temperature of the water in my upcoming watercooling project.

Here is what I have:
1. A Typhoon Dual 5.25" bay reservoir:
http://www.sharkacorp.com/images/typhoon/dbb-lg.gif

2. A Matrix Orbital LCD kit:
http://www.crazypc.com/images/cases/caseaccessories/lcd/mx610unitfull.jpg

3. A temp sensor for the LCD kit:
http://www.crazypc.com/images/cases/caseaccessories/lcd/thermalprobefull.jpg

The Matrix Orbital can display a wide range of information and is fully customizeable. I want the LCD to display the water temp.

I've been reading these threads to get some ideas:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=929488&page=2&pp=20&highlight=inline+temperature+sensor
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=304440 (scroll down a bit)

Notice the two holes at the bottom of my reservoir:
http://www.sharkacorp.com/images/typhoon/db-fit1-lg.gif

The outlet of my res will come out of that hole on the right. Basically what I am planning to do is take that nipple on the left, fill it with some kind of epoxy and stick the temp sensor through there. So when the epoxy sets it will be hard, and when I screw the nipple into the reservoir the temp sensor will stick out into the water.
That way the temp sensor will measure the temp of the water nicely while not interfering with the flow in any way.

In theory it should work out nicely, but I really want to make sure this is done 100% tight, as I am very afraid of leakage. So I need some advice on the process.
First of all, what type of epoxy should I use? Will this type of stuff work?: SureHold 90 Second Epoxy. I also have a tube of Wood & Furniture Goop handy right now. It dries to a waterproof, rubber-like consistency. I think it bonds well to plastics. Could this be a good thing to use, or is it to "rubbery"?
The guy in the linked guide above uses JB Weld. Where can I get this? Is it any better than the epoxy I can get at walgreens?

Also, should I stick the temp sensor through the epoxy-filled nipple before the epoxy sets, or should I drill a hole and then stick it thorough after it sets? If the latter is the best option, how do I reseal it after sticking the temp sensor in?

Im planning on coating the temp sensor lightly with clear nail polish to make sure its waterproof.

I am just looking for some advice and tips before I begin this project.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks a lot.
 
They are three-wire tempprobes and look like this:
tempprobe.jpg
 
Quick setting epoxy is usually weaker, because it is effectively a less densely tangled mess of molecules. This also means it will be more permeable to other molecules (water included). Use something stronger that takes longer to cure, JB Weld is a good option and can be found at any large hardware store (Lowes, Home Depot). The way I would do it is to put the TC wires through the barb, then fill in around it with the JB Weld. Actually, I would pick up a threaded plug at the hardware store when I went to get the JB Weld, and drill a small hole in it to put the wires through. A smaller hole will be easier to seal than the huge one in the barb. Let it cure for a day, and you're done. JB Weld could also be used to seal the end of the probe, like where the heat shrink wrap meets the thermistor.
 
CC_Pirate said:
zer0signal667, thanks for the input.

Do you mean a plug kinda like this one?: http://www.builderdepot.com/browse.ihtml?pid=119789&step=5&prodstoreid=1826

How "liquid" is the JB Weld right after you mix the two compunds? What is the consistency?

thanks
Click to expand...


Exactly, just make sure you've got the right thread. As for consistency, JB weld is somewhat thick, sort of like creamy peanut butter. The aquarium sealer would work just as well, but JB weld has a million other uses so when you're done with the temp sensor, you'll still have 98% of the tube left to use on other stuff.
 
Ok good, thanks. I just figured out that the res I ordered comes with 4 port caps:
link

So here is what I will do:
1. Drill a hole in the port cap.
2. fill the cap with JB Weld
3. Stick the temp probe through the cap
4. Refill the cap with JB Weld, or make sure the Weld is tight around the wires.
5. Coat the probe with nail polish.
6. Plug it in

That should do the job
 
Another option is to get an AC Water Temp Probe and rip out the original probe. Then insert your probe and cover it with silicon. The you mount it however you like. The result is that the metal conducts the water temp, but leaves your probe totally dry.
 
CC_Pirate said:
Ok good, thanks. I just figured out that the res I ordered comes with 4 port caps:


So here is what I will do:
1. Drill a hole in the port cap.
2. fill the cap with JB Weld
3. Stick the temp probe through the cap
4. Refill the cap with JB Weld, or make sure the Weld is tight around the wires.
5. Coat the probe with nail polish.
6. Plug it in

That should do the job
Click to expand...


I'd be weary of using nail polish, I'd sooner coat the tip in JB Weld or silicone.
Also, please don't source images from other servers, it steals bandwidth. You may make a link to the image, however.
 
CC_Pirate said:
And one more thing: Would it maybe be a good idea to use something like this: Aquarium Silicone Sealant, or is the JB Weld superior?
Click to expand...


Any of the silicone sealant products are the proper answer. They bond to anything and are water tight as well as flexible.

Strangely it’s why they seal aquariums with the stuff, it won’t leak and lasts forever. ;)
 
zer0signal667 said:
I'd be weary of using nail polish, I'd sooner coat the tip in JB Weld or silicone.
Also, please don't source images from other servers, it steals bandwidth. You may make a link to the image, however.
Click to expand...

Would you be wary of the nail polish because it may come off sending particles flying through the loop? That makes sense, and I definately will take it into consideration, as I really don't want any particles clogging up the jets on my STORM block.

I was a bit sceptical of using epoxy because it would cover the probe in a thicker layer than the nail polish, resulting decreased sensitivity of the temp probe.

Thanks for the heads up on the images, its fixed now.
 
BillR said:
Any of the silicone sealant products are the proper answer. They bond to anything and are water tight as well as flexible.

Strangely it’s why they seal aquariums with the stuff, it won’t leak and lasts forever. ;)
Click to expand...

Agreed. Silicone sealant and epoxy coating it is then.
 
CC_Pirate said:
Would you be wary of the nail polish because it may come off sending particles flying through the loop? That makes sense, and I definately will take it into consideration, as I really don't want any particles clogging up the jets on my STORM block.

I was a bit sceptical of using epoxy because it would cover the probe in a thicker layer than the nail polish, resulting decreased sensitivity of the temp probe.

Thanks for the heads up on the images, its fixed now.
Click to expand...

Yep... any coating on the probe is going to slow its response time, but considering that your water temp won't be changing at any considerable rate, it won't make a difference.
 
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