Condensation control

[geroxx]

Has anyone put thought into controlling the build-up of condensation instead of just sealing everything up?

I'm thinking of some how making a device that will "Condition" the air before it enters the case. If the air entering the case has no (low) moister... then there could be no condensation.

Any ideas?

[SYX]

lol theres no condinsation unless u go to sub zero temps, which is done commonly with something like peltier, and because cpu heats up a bit after pc was turned on sudden change of temps can generate some condensation... this will happen no matter how moist air is, even if a little bit.. what u need is a sensor/control type device that will keep peltier off untill cpu temps go high enough.

[Kevin]

He's saying that if you can decrease the humidity of the air entering the case quite severely, that would lower the dew point.

[geroxx]

Exactly. I'm trying to figure out how to dehumidify the air before it gets into the chassis (Without dehumidifing the whole room).

[Joe]

Originally posted by SYX:
lol theres no condinsation unless u go to sub zero temps, which is done commonly with something like peltier, and because cpu heats up a bit after pc was turned on sudden change of temps can generate some condensation... this will happen no matter how moist air is, even if a little bit.. what u need is a sensor/control type device that will keep peltier off untill cpu temps go high enough.

WRONG.. and this is one of the biggest misconceptions!!!

You CAN get condensation ANY time you drop just below ambient depending on where the dew point lies. In a 100% humidity environment, if you drop a couple degrees below ambient you will get some condensation to form.

You will get condensation in the form of ICE if you drop below 0C. Really anytime you are doing something to lower the temp below the ambient temp you should institute some sealant action.

I am going to go a closer in depth write up of sealing and stuff then I did in the Mini. In the mini though, the way I insulated it was done to allow the machine to run continuously without the worry of ice/water forming. I coulda gotten away with less, but I didn't want to risk it.

From what I have seen, Neoprene around the socket and in the socket is the way to go then seal it all with the conformal silicone. DO NOT USE RTV. I will also be working on a "Why not to use RTV", and viable replacements geek gear article.



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C-ya
Joe - Owner/Editor
www.ProCooling.com
Where the Completely Addicted Come to Cool Off

Somebody set up us the bomb.

[Freakyfrank]

Originally posted by SYX:
lol theres no condinsation unless u go to sub zero temps, which is done commonly with something like peltier, and because cpu heats up a bit after pc was turned on sudden change of temps can generate some condensation... this will happen no matter how moist air is, even if a little bit.. what u need is a sensor/control type device that will keep peltier off untill cpu temps go high enough.

ahum..

when the ambient air temp is ~25C.. the temp of an object when condensation occurs is ~13C.. (didn't remember the real numbers)

but it also heavily depends on the air humidity..

[edit] 2 minutes late [/edit]

[This message has been edited by Freakyfrank (edited 02-21-2001).]

[geroxx]

So it looks like we have 2 ways to keep condensation from forming.

1. Lower the ambient temp in the chassis.
2. Lower the humidity entering the chassis.

Any ideas on which would be easier?... keeping in mind that I want it to be contained in the "chassis" or another way to think about it... When you move the CPU the system is attached or mounted to the chassis.

[Freakyfrank]

Originally posted by geroxx:
So it looks like we have 2 ways to keep condensation from forming.

1. Lower the ambient temp in the chassis.

NO.. thats not the way..

when u lower the temp of the entering air..
the humidity level rises.. so condensation will form even quicker on a cooler object..

2. Lower the humidity entering the chassis.

get a water-eater..


both are solutions that aren't workable..

isolation is the keyword here..

or a heated outside of the cooler object (with isolation of course)


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OC'ing is my middlename

[geroxx]

I'm not following you... Could you explain?

[Joe]

Originally posted by geroxx:
So it looks like we have 2 ways to keep condensation from forming.

1. Lower the ambient temp in the chassis.
2. Lower the humidity entering the chassis.

Any ideas on which would be easier?... keeping in mind that I want it to be contained in the "chassis" or another way to think about it... When you move the CPU the system is attached or mounted to the chassis.

3 ways - seal your socket well.

------------------
C-ya
Joe - Owner/Editor
www.ProCooling.com
Where the Completely Addicted Come to Cool Off

Somebody set up us the bomb.

[Freakyfrank]

Originally posted by geroxx:
I'm not following you... Could you explain?

unless you got some major $$$ supply.. both ideas wont work..

sealing/isolating ur socket is the only way