How do you guys drain your water system?
 

I have just tested my water system in my bath tub for a day or so and no probs, so I am ready to install it. I was wondering how you guys empty the system once it is installed if you say need to change something (rad, block, etc.)?

I figured you could install a valve, but most of them are so big.

It would help if you posted a pic of your method.


By the way, I am running a DD maze block on cpu and video card, Black Ice Extreme rad, Danner Mag 5 pump, and I have an air trap that makes filling the system a piece of cake.

I just get a big bowl, and pull a tube off.....

i concur depending on the size of the system either a big bowl, or a BIG BOWL. ;)

At first I was trying to design a fancy way to siphon the water out, but then I found that I was wasting my time since I could just disconnect the tube going to the pump intake and drain the water into a sink. And for all you bowl people, I prefer buckets myself ;)

how about this...
 

lets say the flow is from the pump -> rad -> WB ->T-fitting (where it goes up to your res or fill line, and down to the pump).
how about putting a valve between the WB outlet and the T-fitting? that way when you turn the valve, the coolant will flow out there, and you use the res / fill line to put fresh coolant into the system. would that work? it would certainly be easier (and wouldnt make a mess) than having to pull a hose off somewhere...

heh i'm also a fan of the pull a tube and grab a bowl technique...

I have almost 10 litres of water in my system, and I use a 2 litre bowl, it can get dodgy at times.....

well brad for you i would reccomend a BIG BIG bowl. might be interesting to add a T with a valve off one side. then you could simply open the valve to drain it, instead of just pulling a connection free. thats always messy.

heh, I just lift that tube up above the height of the rest of the system. The main problem is just how fast the water comes out, it's like 2 litres in a couple of seconds

I have app 8oz of coolant in my system...just pull a tube and let it drain into a big bowl.

I have a Tee at the pump inlet (lowest part of the system) with a hose connected to a valve. Not only does this make draining the system easy, but it also makes it easy to relieve the air pressure to prime the pump.