True flow rates

[CoW]8(0)]

With most typical WC setups has anyone measured their flow rate including waterblocks, radiators, etc?

Also mention the GPH specified by the pump.

 

[Top Nurse]

The pump GPH usually has little to do with the actual flow rate inside the watercooling system. Except that the more GPH you got the more flow you get relatively speaking. Depending on what flowmeter you use with AC systems it can vary from about one LPM up to just shy of 4 LPM with an Aquastream pump. This is because some flowmeters are more restrictive than others. The lower range is obtained with unmodded AC flowmeters and the upper range is obtained with modded AC flowmeters and Innovatek flowmeters.

Someone else will have to discuss how they obtain flow rates on high flow systems. I think Bio-Hazard said he has a flowmeter setup.

 

[CoW]8(0)]

But for most WC systems, would it be to have a possible 75% drop in rated GPH for a pump through most cooling loops?

 

[ikellensbro]

But for most WC systems, would it be to have a possible 75% drop in rated GPH for a pump through most cooling loops?

It most definately is possible. When manufacturers rate their pumps, the GPH figure they use is with 0 restriction - absolute maximum flow. As you add more restriction, the pump is bot able to keep the same flowrate as it was able to achieve before. For example, look at this Overclockers.com review of a Via Aqua 1300 pump, comparing with several other aquarium pumps in realistic loops (restrictive by today's standards). For another comparison of older pumps (with a flow vs. pressure loss graph, known as a PQ curve) check ProColling.com's comparison.

For newer pump realistic ratings, SystemCooling.com has several quality reviews comparing modern 12vdc pumps, most recently comparing the Laing D5 against previous pumps, including PQ curve graphs, and modern loops if you bother to look over the next pages of the review.

For many people, if they wished to find out their loop's flowrate, a simple test would be to time how long it takes for your pump to fill a measured container with your loop fully connected, including its block(s) and radiator(s) at the same heights they would be in the functioning loop. However, with more knowledge of pumps' power and tubing, waterblock, radiator, etc. restrictiveness, it is possible to give a rough guestimate of what one's flow would be in a loop using common components.

 

[Ice Czar]

^

only instead hit Cathar's thread in the testing and benchmarking forum

specifically pHaestus's enormous...well maybe I should post what exactly is so enormous
in short its a predictive attempt at C/W based on the pump's PQ curve and other components in the loop

PS you need to allow javascripts for that site if you employing the Firefox noscript extention
not much in the way of pumps to date just the Swiftech MCP600, Danner Mag3 & Eheim 1250

rads are a bit better, HE 120.1 > 120.3, HE 80, Swiftech 676, BlackIce Micro, 3-324 HC, damn fine job of tubing but no elevation variable, waterblocks are limited to Little River White Water, MCM 6000 & 6002

being interactive playing around with it can be instructive if youve read the articles and understand a PQ curve

 

[Top Nurse]

For many people, if they wished to find out their loop's flowrate, a simple test would be to time how long it takes for your pump to fill a measured container with your loop fully connected, including its block(s) and radiator(s) at the same heights they would be in the functioning loop.

This will work, but you have to be willing to set it up right. You will need to set it up as a semi-closed system initially like using a gallon container for a reservoiur. You will need to let it run for a while before you check your flow for one minute. Take about 4-5 separate readings and average then together for a decent result. Helps to use a graduated lab cylinder for accurate results.

 

[Bio-Hazard]

That's the way I check mine................it's a lot better that those funky electric guages that are wrong most of the time..................