Bypassing elements in cooling system?
 

Would it be possible (and practical) to be able to bypass a certain element on a cooling loop? For example, suppose my comp uses a refrigerated system while at home, and a radiator while on the road. When I'm at home, I set some valves that bypass the radiator, and send coolant to the refrigerator. When I'm on the road, I do the opposite.

I had thought that to do this, I'd need some 3-way valves (or 3 2-way valves). But I've been unable to find any cheaply. For the grand project, I'd want solenoid controlled valves (for the ultimate in remote operation)

Any suggestions on the system, or places where I can get parts cheaply?

Try the connectors at www.liquidcool.org

You will find what you need at www.mcmaster.com.

Including the stuff being sold at liquidcool.org, and for cheaper.


Neil

How do you figure they are cheaper at mcmaster?


Male Con. 1/2"ODx3/8"NPT - LC=$2.80 - MC=$3.20
Male Con. 1/2"ODx1/2"NPT - LC=$3.00 - MC=$3.45
Male Swivel 1/2"ODx3/8"NPT - LC=$3.10 - MC=$5.73
BulkHead 1/2"OD - LC=$4.29 - MC=$5.54!

Do I need to go on? These were found by going to McMaster.com and clicking on "Instant Tube Fittings". Please get your facts straight before posting bad info like this. It's hard enough for me just starting out without this false info...

whoa tiger... calm down boss.


Anyways, McMaster does carry some other 2 way quck releases that you could use in a system config like that to make it easy to just unplug and go.

LC's does have the valves and stuff cheaper then McMasters though.

Sorry Joe, couldn't help it :) Shit, once I get to selling more I can get em even cheaper!

My mistake, Michael.

I thought I'd price checked an item or two previously and saw that McMaster Carr's prices were better. Obviously, this is not the case for all the products, and my generalization was in error.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. Joe recommends some quick disconnects, but the downside is that they're usually pretty bulky. You might consider using 3 way T barbs and barbed valves, but these also will be quite bulky.

I was looking at double valved quick disconnects (stops flow in both directions... typically, only the female end is valved, and the male end continues to flow) and the cheapest I found them was ~$20 per SIDE. So, it's $40 for one set, male and female. And they are also quite big and bulky.

Neil