AC Unit question

eXtenz · 11-10-2002, 05:31 AM

I was wondering, would it be a bad idea or what to just go buy a AC unit from walmart for like windows, and just pulling hte guts outa that? because my brothers wife and him scored a bad ass ac unit, dont remember the btu specs but it was good, and they only paid 150 bux for it new.... i was wondering if u could use these at all anyhow? if so what all would need to be done?

dax · 11-10-2002, 09:17 AM

i guess you could convert it to a waterchiller, or strip it for parts to make your own phase change cooler unit... the choice is yours

eXtenz · 11-10-2002, 10:41 AM

so it is very much possible? what all would need to be done to get it functional? like would most of it be there in the ac unit it self, or would alot of modding and replacing need to be done?

Michael · 11-11-2002, 12:40 AM

I went the chiller route and its working out nicely.

I got a 10k btu wall ac out of the paper and stripped it down.

It chills 5 gallons of water to about -20c in less than an hour.

However Im not pleased with my temps so Im looking at getting a dual 226w pelt setup in the loop

eXtenz · 11-11-2002, 09:35 AM

sweet.... ya im thinkin about going with the chiller untill i can / have the tools to make a block.... sux ass tho cause i was going this route so i didn't spend extra money on a psu for a pelt ect ect....heh

eXtenz · 11-11-2002, 01:04 PM

i was wondering whats the best coolant to use? like, freezing point wise, cause i really dont want to use antifreeze cause it causes slime and buildup, but id like to use waterwetter however it is only like 5C below freezing i think? im not sure, however i found some isopropyl alcohol (91% alcohol, i think 9% water) and was wondering what its freezing point is or if theres something better or what...

what do you guys recommend?

aenigma · 11-11-2002, 06:46 PM

Yeah a window a/c unit will work pretty good.
Methanol is a very nice liquid to use, although it does have toxicity issues.But I had no problem with that, but it is very thin so it leaks places water wont.

I would see if you could find a used window a/c before shelling out 150 on a new one, also make sure its not a pos R134a a/c unit.

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 02:10 AM

Ya, i havn't made up my mind yet, im either gonna go with a upright chest freezer, about 5cu ft... or a mini fridge, or a ac unit =p as for the r134a, i was gonna see what i get, see how well it performs, if i like it enough ill keep it for the time beeing, if not then i will have it converted over to r22 or some shit =p, as to the methanol i dunno not real kin to it, i found some isopropyl, freezing point is much better then methanol but its not really a good heat transfer'er so im still thinkin about what to use... any ideas? other then isopropyl alcohol (91% alcohol 9% water) or methanol

Alchemy · 11-12-2002, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by eXtenz
Ya, i havn't made up my mind yet, im either gonna go with a upright chest freezer, about 5cu ft... or a mini fridge, or a ac unit =p as for the r134a, i was gonna see what i get, see how well it performs, if i like it enough ill keep it for the time beeing, if not then i will have it converted over to r22 or some shit =p, as to the methanol i dunno not real kin to it, i found some isopropyl, freezing point is much better then methanol but its not really a good heat transfer'er so im still thinkin about what to use... any ideas? other then isopropyl alcohol (91% alcohol 9% water) or methanol

Water's one of the best heat transfer liquids in the running, so you want to have as much water in there as possible.

I'd suggest at least 50% water if you can get away with it. And keep in mind your isopropyl alcohol is probaby about 30% water.

It's not enough to keep the stuff from freezing, though. If it's too close to its freezing point, its viscosity will be pretty high, which means your water pump will be badly stressed.

And methanol's freezing point is slightly lower than isopropanol.

Methanol -98C
Isopropanol -88C

Alchemy

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 03:09 AM

oh really? i heard on another post that isopropyl was far better for methanol for extreme cooling situations, so i assumed it was like a bit higher then -88C... not lower... heh... anyways, ya on the bottle of isopropyl it says 91% alcohol, so i would only assume 9% water =p not taking into considerations any scientific shit that can mean theres more then 100 of something... ya know what i mean? anyways.... i think i might do Water, Antifreeze with glycol in it, and waterwetter, cause i hear that antifreeze with glycol in it mixed with waterwetter is helped out greatly nad reduces the load on the pimp. What do you think?

aenigma · 11-12-2002, 03:24 AM

Antifreeze sucks, most antifreeze all have Glycol....
Methanol is fine, I have used both methanol and isopropyl.The isopropyl has really strong fumes, and leaves that wintergreen oil garbage.Methanol just leaks easy, I have also got a mouthful of it and I didn't die.

Don't use anything with R134a, that stuff is garbage.And don't use a minifridge.If your going to buy an air conditioner, get one that uses R22.

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 05:15 AM

heh ok, you know your stuff.. your that one dude that wrote the article on overclockers.com right? can ya get me a direct link... i looked for it but never found it...

aenigma · 11-12-2002, 01:09 PM

haha nope I don't write articles.That was Darcy I believe.The one where he talks about refrigerants and using bare copper pipe as a condenser?

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 01:12 PM

i dunno

i hear ppl / someone refering to his article on overclockers.com, i remember seeing it once but i never paid much attention to it, anyways ive opted to go as small as i can, make the case look almost impossible to fit phase in

just hope all works well, will show pics of the case when i get it sometime after xmas

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 01:17 PM

i was wondering (dont wanna start a new thread) if you could help me, since ive opted to go small as possible, i was wondering if i could use a heatercore at like 5x7 out of a car or something for the condenser, and then bend copper tubing to what i need for the evap. coils... how would i go about doing the 5x7 heatercore setup... or would i just need a standard radiator type thing.... cause i see systems with those insted of standard thin condensers, and it would help me alot more if i had one like that.... what would i have to do to use it... and ill prob end up with a 1/4hp compressor and then have to get some decent freon charged in it when i get the rest ready and done

*edit* i cant explain anything for the life of me... lol

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 01:29 PM

from what i can tell ill need a normal radiator / condensor and capilary tubing..... cause the capilary runs thru the tubing correct? therefor a heatercore wouldn't work right? im not sure fill me in... im knowledged in watercooling but phase i havn't caught a grasp on yet =p

bigben2k · 11-12-2002, 01:33 PM

I wouldn't recomend it.

Heatercores are usually tested up to 30 psi. Anything above that is "at your own risk".

Given that the pressures in a phase change system can reach 200 psi (hot side)... What's the pressure on the cold side again?

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 01:36 PM

im not sure, i been reading up but never found anyone that describes the use of em in computers in detail as to all that, just articles on how its done, and whatnot... nothing technical and i cant grasp and put 2&2 together from websites

*edit* not gonna guess, leaving it at i dunno so i dont look stupider then i already do

aenigma · 11-12-2002, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bigben2k
I wouldn't recomend it.

Heatercores are usually tested up to 30 psi. Anything above that is "at your own risk".

Given that the pressures in a phase change system can reach 200 psi (hot side)... What's the pressure on the cold side again?

Exactly, not only that but heater cores flow pattern is bad for refrigeration.

I have had high side over 350psi, but equalized pressure is usually 150psi.When equalizing it is much higher.
Low side pressure on most systems are around 5-10psi i believe.But after turning the system off that can reach about 100psi.

eXtenz · 11-12-2002, 06:04 PM

http://becooling.safeshopper.com/17/49.htm?710
so nothing like that im guessing? i think any radiator of the likes would just croak under that much presssure, guess ill have to find a condensor specificly made one... id like one of them lil cube radiators but are only like 2" thick over the old cube design that was like 5 or 6"

know where i could get one of them and for how much?

aenigma · 11-12-2002, 06:57 PM

Don't even thinking about using those damn supercubes.Remember the condenser condenses vapor into a liquid, so if you use a cube that liquid will pool up in all of the bends and you will get alot of vapor by the capillary.You need to look for an a/c unit and use the condenser it uses, if its too big cut it to size and braze the fittings back in place...

eXtenz · 11-13-2002, 03:29 AM

Thanks man, i was sure if it was smart to do that or not, back to reading i go

11-10-2002, 05:31 AM	#1
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	AC Unit question I was wondering, would it be a bad idea or what to just go buy a AC unit from walmart for like windows, and just pulling hte guts outa that? because my brothers wife and him scored a bad ass ac unit, dont remember the btu specs but it was good, and they only paid 150 bux for it new.... i was wondering if u could use these at all anyhow? if so what all would need to be done?

11-11-2002, 06:46 PM	#7
aenigma Immature Title Goes Here Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington Posts: 81	Yeah a window a/c unit will work pretty good. Methanol is a very nice liquid to use, although it does have toxicity issues.But I had no problem with that, but it is very thin so it leaks places water wont. I would see if you could find a used window a/c before shelling out 150 on a new one, also make sure its not a pos R134a a/c unit. __________________ http://www.subz3ro.net [H]opelessly  Altered  Results  Destroy  Overall  Credibility  Period

11-12-2002, 03:24 AM	#11
aenigma Immature Title Goes Here Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington Posts: 81	Antifreeze sucks, most antifreeze all have Glycol.... Methanol is fine, I have used both methanol and isopropyl.The isopropyl has really strong fumes, and leaves that wintergreen oil garbage.Methanol just leaks easy, I have also got a mouthful of it and I didn't die. Don't use anything with R134a, that stuff is garbage.And don't use a minifridge.If your going to buy an air conditioner, get one that uses R22. __________________ http://www.subz3ro.net [H]opelessly  Altered  Results  Destroy  Overall  Credibility  Period

11-12-2002, 01:09 PM	#13
aenigma Immature Title Goes Here Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington Posts: 81	haha nope I don't write articles.That was Darcy I believe.The one where he talks about refrigerants and using bare copper pipe as a condenser? __________________ http://www.subz3ro.net [H]opelessly  Altered  Results  Destroy  Overall  Credibility  Period

11-12-2002, 01:33 PM	#17
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I wouldn't recomend it. Heatercores are usually tested up to 30 psi. Anything above that is "at your own risk". Given that the pressures in a phase change system can reach 200 psi (hot side)... What's the pressure on the cold side again? __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

11-10-2002, 09:17 AM	#2
dax Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ghent, Belgium Posts: 83	i guess you could convert it to a waterchiller, or strip it for parts to make your own phase change cooler unit... the choice is yours

11-10-2002, 10:41 AM	#3
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	so it is very much possible? what all would need to be done to get it functional? like would most of it be there in the ac unit it self, or would alot of modding and replacing need to be done?

11-11-2002, 12:40 AM	#4
Michael Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Long Beach Posts: 9	I went the chiller route and its working out nicely. I got a 10k btu wall ac out of the paper and stripped it down. It chills 5 gallons of water to about -20c in less than an hour. However Im not pleased with my temps so Im looking at getting a dual 226w pelt setup in the loop

11-11-2002, 09:35 AM	#5
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	sweet.... ya im thinkin about going with the chiller untill i can / have the tools to make a block.... sux ass tho cause i was going this route so i didn't spend extra money on a psu for a pelt ect ect....heh

11-11-2002, 01:04 PM	#6
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	i was wondering whats the best coolant to use? like, freezing point wise, cause i really dont want to use antifreeze cause it causes slime and buildup, but id like to use waterwetter however it is only like 5C below freezing i think? im not sure, however i found some isopropyl alcohol (91% alcohol, i think 9% water) and was wondering what its freezing point is or if theres something better or what... what do you guys recommend?

11-12-2002, 02:10 AM	#8
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	Ya, i havn't made up my mind yet, im either gonna go with a upright chest freezer, about 5cu ft... or a mini fridge, or a ac unit =p as for the r134a, i was gonna see what i get, see how well it performs, if i like it enough ill keep it for the time beeing, if not then i will have it converted over to r22 or some shit =p, as to the methanol i dunno not real kin to it, i found some isopropyl, freezing point is much better then methanol but its not really a good heat transfer'er so im still thinkin about what to use... any ideas? other then isopropyl alcohol (91% alcohol 9% water) or methanol

11-12-2002, 03:09 AM	#10
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	oh really? i heard on another post that isopropyl was far better for methanol for extreme cooling situations, so i assumed it was like a bit higher then -88C... not lower... heh... anyways, ya on the bottle of isopropyl it says 91% alcohol, so i would only assume 9% water =p not taking into considerations any scientific shit that can mean theres more then 100 of something... ya know what i mean? anyways.... i think i might do Water, Antifreeze with glycol in it, and waterwetter, cause i hear that antifreeze with glycol in it mixed with waterwetter is helped out greatly nad reduces the load on the pimp. What do you think?

11-12-2002, 05:15 AM	#12
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	heh ok, you know your stuff.. your that one dude that wrote the article on overclockers.com right? can ya get me a direct link... i looked for it but never found it...

11-12-2002, 01:12 PM	#14
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	i dunno i hear ppl / someone refering to his article on overclockers.com, i remember seeing it once but i never paid much attention to it, anyways ive opted to go as small as i can, make the case look almost impossible to fit phase in just hope all works well, will show pics of the case when i get it sometime after xmas

11-12-2002, 01:17 PM	#15
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	i was wondering (dont wanna start a new thread) if you could help me, since ive opted to go small as possible, i was wondering if i could use a heatercore at like 5x7 out of a car or something for the condenser, and then bend copper tubing to what i need for the evap. coils... how would i go about doing the 5x7 heatercore setup... or would i just need a standard radiator type thing.... cause i see systems with those insted of standard thin condensers, and it would help me alot more if i had one like that.... what would i have to do to use it... and ill prob end up with a 1/4hp compressor and then have to get some decent freon charged in it when i get the rest ready and done edit i cant explain anything for the life of me... lol

11-12-2002, 01:29 PM	#16
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	from what i can tell ill need a normal radiator / condensor and capilary tubing..... cause the capilary runs thru the tubing correct? therefor a heatercore wouldn't work right? im not sure fill me in... im knowledged in watercooling but phase i havn't caught a grasp on yet =p

11-12-2002, 01:36 PM	#18
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	im not sure, i been reading up but never found anyone that describes the use of em in computers in detail as to all that, just articles on how its done, and whatnot... nothing technical and i cant grasp and put 2&2 together from websites edit not gonna guess, leaving it at i dunno so i dont look stupider then i already do Last edited by eXtenz; 11-12-2002 at 01:42 PM.

11-12-2002, 06:04 PM	#20
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	http://becooling.safeshopper.com/17/49.htm?710 so nothing like that im guessing? i think any radiator of the likes would just croak under that much presssure, guess ill have to find a condensor specificly made one... id like one of them lil cube radiators but are only like 2" thick over the old cube design that was like 5 or 6" know where i could get one of them and for how much?

11-12-2002, 06:57 PM	#21
aenigma Immature Title Goes Here Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Washington Posts: 81	Don't even thinking about using those damn supercubes.Remember the condenser condenses vapor into a liquid, so if you use a cube that liquid will pool up in all of the bends and you will get alot of vapor by the capillary.You need to look for an a/c unit and use the condenser it uses, if its too big cut it to size and braze the fittings back in place... __________________ http://www.subz3ro.net [H]opelessly  Altered  Results  Destroy  Overall  Credibility  Period

11-13-2002, 03:29 AM	#22
eXtenz Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 26	Thanks man, i was sure if it was smart to do that or not, back to reading i go

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