Quote:
RedPhoenix:
25psi? Thats recommended? Mine withheld close to.. 375psi before i stopped it. JB Weld is great stuff, I also used some "Goop" its a sealent inbetween the barbs.
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This is the spec that I got for testing automotive heatercore type rads.
I forget the exact source, but it was one of the better 'experts' here. According to this source the rads are only spec'd to withstand 30 PSI, and he didn't reccomend going over 25. (Note, the standard automotive cooling system is rated 15-20 PSI max) I know that when I started getting over about 20 PSI there was visible distortion in the tubes, and you could hear creaking noises coming from the cooling fins. I wasn't tempted to push it any harder!
Different style rads, particularly the 'Transmission oil cooler' and 'Fin-on-tube' styles would be able to withstand considerably more pressure, however I still wouldn't overdo it. Considering that the *maximum* pressure you can get in a WC setup is less than 15 lbs, probably more like 5-7 PSI for most of our pumps (Figure roughly 0.5 PSI per foot of head pressure) pressure testing at around 100 PSI is WAY overkill, and even 25 PSI is more than adequate. Considering the amount of damage an explosive failure can do, it isn't worth the risks of using higher pressure.
Note that I only tested the rad at 25 PSI, everything else in my setup gets tested at ~90 PSI, my air compressor's maximum output pressure...
Gooserider