DIY WATER COOLER

[-=DG=-]

Hi all,

Before anyone says anthing i've posted here knowing it'll get moved. But i thought more people might see it here rather than the putting it straight into the DIY section (which is pretty dry).

Anyway i've read loads of posts about peoples water heating up. As you may (or may not) know i'm into pc watercooling and i've had an idea which would work for both.

I've seen a mini fridge in the gadget shop for about 40 quid. So my plan is to get an old car radiator from the scrap yard which will fit inside the fridge (maybe 2 heater matrix radiators would be better for surface area). So both of these hooked up to a pump with the fridge on would be prefect for cooling water (on a timer plug for both the pump and radiatior). Some fridges also heat up so it could warm the water at a really cold time (i doubt this would be needed).

You could probably get the fridge of ebay for mayb 30 quid. The rads are gonna cost about a fiver each. You might have a spare pump anyway. So say for £50 you could have a water cooling system.

What do you think guys?

Cheers

DG

 

[kevin007]

hey, that might just work! but i don't have that problem so.... thanx anyways

 

[-=DG=-]

hey, that might just work! but i don't have that problem so.... thanx anyways

Of course its no good to you. In the Matrix the conditions are always perfect

 

[kevin007]

ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL nice one!

Kevin

 

[Tanked]

DG,

why don't you make one of those and create a DIY with pics and write up? would be great.

 

[Dragonslair]

The idea is sound, but have you thought about the practicalities. Where are you going to house the fridge and how are the cooling pipes going run from fridge to your tank. To boot how are you going to exit the pipes from the fridge or enter the fridge to your radiators,without causing a "containment breach". Sound a bit like Geordie in star Trek, but you do get my drift. Are you going to use up all that energy running a fridge just to cool a couple of radiators. Surely the long term economics does not make this a cost effective venture.

 

[-=DG=-]

Hi guys,

Nah this project is easy.

1) The fridge is only about 30cm high so would easily fit under the tank
2) These are also designed to run of a car cigarette lighter so 12v off a house adapter is no big deal
3) Drill 2 holes in the door (or look for the thinnest part of either the door or the wall) but drill the hole so it it tight enough to fit in some hosing either 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Then use some cement/chemical metal/araldite to glue it in. Maybe a layer of silicone on top of that.
4) Fix (if possible) the rads to the inside of the door. 1 rad will do the job (2 if your feeling brave)
5) Hook up the water pump

Job done

Tanked - i might go back to vapochilling so i'm not gonna build this (unless someone wants one then i'll make one for them as long as they fund it )

As long as you handy with a drill and dont mind a bit of DIY, its easy.

 

[impur]

You could probably get the fridge of ebay for mayb 30 quid. The rads are gonna cost about a fiver each.

I have no idea what you just said.

 

[-=DG=-]

Dragonslair - i dont know about long tems usage. You couldnt leave it on permantly cos you tank would eventually cool down to +5 oC!

If its on a timer during the hottest times of the day for say half an hour at a time (depending on your water volume), running costs will be hardly noticable.

Over here my water temp maxs out at about 29oC. But as my fish are malawi its not an issue as they dont mind warmer water.

Its not for us UK boys (well i never even considered us), but for our American friends who live in boiling hot conditions. So rather than switch on the air conditioning which will cool the whole room/house and cost a ton of money, this could be considered a very cost effective method

 

[-=DG=-]

You could probably get the fridge of ebay for mayb 30 quid. The rads are gonna cost about a fiver each.

I have no idea what you just said.

Sorry m8

From ebay, you could probably buy the mini fridge (be it new or second hand) for about £30 sterling. And from the scrap yard (if thats what you call it, maybe junk yard) two car heater matrix radiators at about £5 each.

BTW heater matrix radiators are smaller radiators which provide the heat for the heaters inside the car.

 

[-=DG=-]

Mods - you can send this thread off to DIY

 

[Jamnog]

ive got a little fridge from tescos for 50 it works on a pelter system i took it apart out of curiosity and its got a plate on it thats about the size of a large athelon... hmm

 

[-=DG=-]

Yeah a peltier would be just as easy for people like us who know how to use them properly. It you get an old metal kettle, the pelt could be attached to that and water inside would cool down nicely. Plus cos you can adjust the voltage this means that you control the temperature.

I sold all four of my pelts, but i might have one lying around somewhere. If i find it, i'll knock up a home made temperature variable water cooler

 

[semper fi]

moved this topic over to DIY section as it is better suited there.

semper fi