Condensation

[audi_boy_racer]

Hi,

I was just looking at the Phase Change forum and a way to stop condensation is putting your computer into a air tight case. Has anyone done this before, im looking for ideas on how to do it.

Thanks

[madmike]

Hi guys !
excuse me if my english is not perfect but i'm french !
I think you should look for a dielectric-chilled fluid to fill your case it would be a great way for cooling every component on the mobo without condensation problems ?
Makin' an air tight box will be difficult with cd rom drives... Or are you gonna make some 'air tight holes' to rout the wires ?

Bye bye !

Friendly... Madmike

[Boli]

As always it all comes down to cost. a case full of dielectric-chilled fluid will not only be problematic to build/maintain but I don't think I'm the only one here who would like their case full of that liquid.

As ever a water cooled system is the best long term solution with most of the discussion on these forum dedicated to the efficiently of such a system (improving water blocks, shrouds, air & water flow etc.)

As to airtight cases it IS possible but a flow of air is generally considered to be preferable – air is a good insulator IF it is stagnant A case with NEAR air tight fittings and filters on the intake fans to remove water moisture is an idea – but I would not like to try to maintain that.

~ Boli

[madmike]

Perhaps you should look into pneumatics, i know they use filters to remove moisture between compressors and pneumatic tools, but i suppose they need some pression to work and the fittinfgs may be very small...
Perhaps industrials use big ones between 'free-air inlet' and compressors at the beginning of the system or perhaps they just work on loop with dry air inside ?

[Groth]

I've seen the air-tight thing done. Been a couple of years, but I'll see if I can find a link.

The feller used an modified mini-fridge as the case, with the thermostat rigged to give sub-zero air temps inside. Optical drives, power supply, and various lights and buttons were mounted outside, with the cables run through holes that were sealed with latex spray foam. Extension cables given a similar treatment provided the necessary peripheral jacks.

The bit that really caught my attention is how condensation was prevented. Whenever you open the case, moist air will get in and you don't want to run things until that moisture is gone. So this clever geek added another external jack - to power a fan that blew through a dessicant.

Apparently, gun shops sell re-usable packets of silica gel (don't want them guns a rustin'). A couple hours of circulation yields zero humidity, then you're ready to power the fridge. A frost-free computer. Neat!

[madmike]

Hope you'll find the link !

[Tempus]

I've been toying with the air tight case for a few months now. I've gone through a few prototypes and I'm getting closer.

I've been trying to create a modular "plug" setup where I can easily route the ide, power, and other cables and still maintain a air tight setup. I constantly am adding parts and I don't like having to design things for only one setup.

My current build is watercooled, with 1/2" barbs mounted on the inner case. The inner case is the sealed one. The outer case is more typical and is the mounting site for most of the hardware -- including the radiator.

Once I finish testing, I'm gonna stick a few pelts on it and see what I can see.

And, yeah, the dessicant thing works well. I've got a push/pull ducting system on the side with a bunch of packs in the duct. Got them from a local chemistry supply shop.

[audi_boy_racer]

Hi again,

Tempus your on the same track as i am with being able to switch the MB and stuff to get different setups.

Groth sounds like a good read about that case made out of a fridge, hope u can find the link for us.

to make the setup interchangeable i had this idea in mind:

Thanks for all the help keep the ideas comming

[Tempus]

Thats not quite where I was going. Once I get back to the office I've export my autocad stuff and attach it.