How to mount heater core style radiators?

[bdunosk]

The type of radiators in question are at the following two links:

1) D-Tek Customs Cooler Core Radiator

2) Big Momma Radiator

How, short of welding on something to bolt these into my case, would I mount these securely? Or do I have to find someone to weld on some brackets? Thanks in advance!

[redleader]

My BigMama hasn't arrived yet, but I was planning to just use lots of twist ties and wire threaded through the radiator.

[bach-on]

The core is pretty dense. Not sure you'll be able to get the wire ties through without damaging something.

It's a great cooler, but they didn't do much to it for installation. You almost end up with nothing but duct tape or Goop installation as your only options.

Good luck with your project.

[TNT2bluz]

Well for one you'd need to mod your case.

As in seriously mod your case.

Usally being able to stick the fan on the radiator while bolting the fan to the case would be best.

[mkosem]

I'm going to use zip ties when mine(dtek) arrives. That should suffice. I've cut the 6x6 hole in the front of my case already. I figure I can just strap the thing in there, the big metal pieces on the top and bottom will hold it in place.

--MAtt

[Hellion_Prime]

I have a Big Mamma, and here's how I plan to mount it. It involves ducting, so it may not work for you if you're putting this in a smallish case.

First, since the sides of this beast are so fragile, I'm going to enclose the sides in a frame, roughly 3" wide, most likely made out of 1/4" or 1/8" plywood. I'll attach the frame to the radiatior with epoxy or jb weld. After that is ready, I'll use a 4" section of small diamater brass rod in each corner of the frame to give me something to run the bolts through, and to act as as spacers. The bolts will go through these straight to the case. After the fan(s) have been fitted, enclose them with the radiator using sections of plastic or wood sheeting joined with aluminum duct tape, or actually measure it out and cut the parts to fit more precisely.

This method would give it a much larger size footprint, so it wouldnt work well in a small case. I'm going to fit mine into a cube, so hopefully I wont have that problem when the time comes. If anybody sees any holes in this plan, feel free to let me know.. better to find out now than after I start =)


[edit]
Oh, do you know if the dtekcustoms radiator is copper, or aluminum? From the pics in the link you posted, it looks aluminum, but the construction looks to be identical to the Big Mama, which makes me wonder. I'm going to migrate to a 1/2" system eventually...

HP

[GuyBFF]

I cut out a square about 6"x6" (just smaller than the rad) in the front of my computer. I then bolted up a couple pieces of 1/2" angle around the hole to meat the outside of the rad. Then passed zip ties threw. Works great, was easy and it doesn't move. Heater cores are less fragile than everyones making it sound.

[bdunosk]

Hellion_Prime:

The website says brass tanks and copper construction - I emailed and asked Danny from Dtek to see what he says anyway and will post here when I know.

[bdunosk]

Copper core, brass end tanks.

[Hellion_Prime]

Ahh, so it is basically a better looking big mamma with 1/2 fittings. I thought as much. The fittings on my BM seems to be soldered in place, so swapping them out for 1/2" ones shouldnt be too terribly difficult with a torch. I'll let you know how it goes, if you like. I must say, the fitting placement on the dtek model is a lot better, since they both point straight up.

--HP

[mkosem]

d-tek also offers radiator straps you can use with it.

--MAtt

[gonad]

I installed the Dtek Cooler Core rad yesterday, no problem with using zip ties to mount the rad to the case and the fan to the rad.

GoNaD
Sometimes I feel like a nut...

[bdunosk]

W/ just zip ties, does it rattle around at all? How portable is the case? Do you throw a little foam in to make it snug?

Thanks!

[mkosem]

any way you could give us some pictures of exactly how you mounted it with zip ties? or at least a better explanation? I am starting to wonder how I will mount it.

--MAtt

[BrianW]

Quick question.

I have some very small diameter (4-40 , not sure od the measuring standard there) nylon threaded rod from mcmaster.com. Is there a straight line anywhere through these rads that one could attach the rad/fan to the case through holes using nylon bolts on both sides? Keep in mind these are rather flexible.

This is how I plan to mount the Black Ice I am searching for...

[gonad]

I used a couple ties through existing holes in the front of the case looped around the fittings for the top. At the bottom I inserted ties through the front of the rad, leaving the head caught in the fins, through a hole in the front of the case, and then used the head of another zip to secure it. Not in a loop but more as a jury rigged "bolt". Same with the fan, inserted zip into fan hole and through the radiator and used another zip head to secure it. It's not the best way I'm sure but it was simple and took all of 2 minutes to get it going. Neither the rad nor the fan move or rattle. The hole in the front of the case for the rad is framed in thin high density rubber (mousepad).
If I was going to regularly transport it I would do it a little differently, but as a desk anchor it's more than adequete.

GoNaD
Sometimes I feel like a nut...

[mkosem]

so, did you put ties through the radiator?

--MAtt

[mkosem]

*bump