What too look for inn a HeaterCore
 

Hi,

I´m currently on the lookout for a good HC, since everybody inn these forums recomend pepole using them instead of high priced computer rad´s :)

Now here comes a few ????

1. Does any type of HC go, or are there diffrent kinds?

2. Are HC better for low pressure drop? ( better for waterflow )

3. Does size matter very much inn terms of performance?

Why i´m wondering is, i own a BIX at the moment, and the RAD just won´t get ridd of all the heat that is made by a CPU and a Pelt Cooled GPU. So i want something that is better inn terms of performance, and maybe not that mych bigger inn size :)

Thnx inn advance... ( Sorry for bad english, too late for spelling )

-P-

My 0.02 cents.
 

>1. Does any type of HC go, or are there diffrent kinds?

There are different kinds. One pass, two pass ... different intake and out barbs...etc. But the working base is all the same.

>2. Are HC better for low pressure drop? ( better for waterflow )

Usually yes. The multi pass radiators (Like those Maxxxpert and some AC radiators) have a higher pressure drop.

>3. Does size matter very much inn terms of performance?

Sure. With high flow rates you need to have a bigger radiator so that the water, at that specific flow rate, will spend more time in the radiator, thus lowering temps better. Same goes with alot of heat in the water. (As far as i picked up from the discussion)

>Why i´m wondering is, i own a BIX at the moment, and the RAD
>just won´t get ridd of all the heat that is made by a CPU and a
>Pelt Cooled GPU. So i want something that is better inn terms of
>performance, and maybe not that mych bigger inn size

The BIX is a heatercore (I also have one). The difference is that it's smaller than most car heatercores, and easier to stuff inside a case. A car heatercore can come in several sizes, and for a peltier setup, just get the biggest one that fits in your case.

No!

No!

A higher flow rate DOES NOT CHANGE how much time coolant stays in the radiator. This should be obvious since there is never a time when the radiator isn't full of coolant.

Anyway a BIX is pretty underpowered for a pelt. You might want to pickup a core.

>No! (Bix)

Right. Care to elaborate on that? As far i know , and having seen HC and compared it to my BIX, the size is the main difference. So yes, its a heatercore type radiator. There are other types of heatercores with larger fin area. But it doesnt invalidate the comparison , IMO.

http://clientes.netvisao.pt/carlo001/rad2.jpg

Here's another heatercore i had access to. Currently i'm trying to get a 2x120mm one.


>No! (Flow rate)

Erm. As far as i understood from Cathar, from higher flow rate, you need to have a larger radiator (More Area) to compensate the extra speed of the water and maintain a "relative time" on the radiator.

Second, if you current heatercore (lets assume) cant handle the heat generated by the system, you can mount a larger heatercore and for the water to spend "more time" (so to speak) in it, and because it has a larger fin area (for dissipation), it can handle the heat better.

I'm not sure of this thou. But its the general ideia that i have.

Thanx TerraMex :)

You cleared up a lot of things for me.

And i´ll be on the lookout for one of these i think.

Is this a Good one?

http://www.leakycar.com/heater_cores/pic/spec1.html

The 2-689

It´s from a 91 Toyota Camry. And should be easy too get my hands on :)

And looking at the size it should be easy to put a shroud and two 120mm fans on there.

-P-

Oh and another thing....
 

Not all heater cores are copper/brass (newer model are more likely to be Alum.) So make sure b4 you order. also the height may or not include tank size, confirm that if you can or assume another 1.5 - 2" for the tanks. (of course if you WB is Aluminum.....)

Thanks i´ll keep that in mind when ordering.

Hmm, i should probably just go down to a car parts store and check them out before i buy :)

-P-