PCA Forums

Anyone has a setup or knows where I can find info on setting one up?

what do you need to know and i will see what i can tell you
http://clone.procooling.com

I suggest MAZE2 from http://www.dangerden.com for waterblock with 1/2" fitting, Big Momma or Cooler Core with 1/2" fitting for Radiator and either a DANNER 250GPH+ from http://www.petsmart.com or EHEIM 1250 pump.
This would be a serious setup.
You could also go with 3/8 fittings on MAZE2 and the Cooling Cube from http://www.dangerden.com and a Eheim 1048.

Use only destilled water and waterwetter, anti freeze only when adding a pelt. Don't mix copper and aluminum components (waterblock/Radiator).

ok...
1 - what are all the components needed for water cooling?
2 - where do i get deionized water
3 - what additives do i need for the water
4 - can i used watered down coolant instead? (prestone?)

what's the water block?
what's the radiator for?

1 - water block / radiator / pump / tubing / destilled water / water wetter
2 - just check your giants or whatever for destilled water
3 - water wetter, antifreez only when you want to add a peltier (really complicated)
4 - I suggest destilled water + water wetter

You can also check http://www.procooling.com/ or http://www.overclockers.com for more basic info.

In short words:
- The waterblock sits on your CPU and transfers the heat into the cooling fluid
- the pump circulates the fluid from your cooling setup through the tubing
- the radiator transfers the heat of the water into the air which is moved through the radiator using some fans.
- the cooled fluid returns to the waterblock

It works like the watercoooling in a car, water is used to transfer the heat out of the engine and the air moving through the radiator removes the heat from the water.

how long does the setup usually take to require a refill?

It runs pretty much a very long time when you have an inline setup and everything is tight (no leaks at all).

The innitial fill might take a day or two since you have to fill it up and get all the air out of the system and you have to check for leaks.

Check the articles at the pages I suggested, there's a lot of basic info on watercooling.

There is a more extreme watercooling using a "bong" setup, such a system requires frequent refills due to the open setup. More info on that should be either at http://www.overclockers.com or at the http://www.hardforum.com (do a quick search for bong cooler) but this is more demanding.

BTW, the "Big Momma" is a heater core (I believe from a mid-80's mustang). Spend 60.00 plus shipping at overclock-watercool or spend $16.00 like I did and solder some fittings on yourself.....

I recommend
Spiral block (if you don't mind waiting) or Maze2
Eheim 1250 (don't go with rio nor danner, trust me on this)
Dtek Bigmomma with fan shrouds
1/2 inch or 3/8 inch (I didn't notice any diff in temp)
Silicon Tubing (vinyl one tends to bend when the water gets warmed up)
Waterwetter
6 metal hose clamps from Aquacoil
T-line (for refilling, If you don't get this, it'll be pain in the @ss to fill and bleed the system)


I have maze2, eheim 1250, Dtek bigmomma, Aquacoil Cube (for looks and overkill ), 1/2inch silicon and vinyl tubing, metal clamps.
I was running around 40C max at full load with 1 rad but after the addition of Aquacoil cube with Dtek, running at 34C full load
T-bird 1.4@1.62 1.85volts

total cost?

Nice setup would cost around $200
Eheim 1250 ~$65
Maze2 or Spiral ~$40
Dtek Bigmomma with shrouds ~$50
1/2 silicon tubes, clamps, t-line, waterwetter ~$20
Add another $10-15 for shipping

THis is what I have in addition to Rio180 waterpump and Aquacoil Cube
Rio180 is cooling my GF3
I am going to enter the case mod contest so you'll see my setup soon

Supreme Mag Drive 350 44.99 -10 off 30 coupon at Petsmart.com 34.99
Maze 2 40.00
Mustang Heater Core - Autozone 21.99
1/2" I.D. 11/16" O.D. 3/32 wall Red Silicone Tubing (Mcmaster.com) 8.55 for 5 feet
10 11/16 -13/16 Nylon Single snap grip clamps (Mcmaster.com) 4.91
(4) Brass pipe thread to 1/2 hose barb fittings (local hardware) 8.00
1/2 I.D. plastic barbed elbows (how many depends on your setup) .85 apiece
NMB 12v 120mm 118cfm fan (http://www.mpja.com) 7.95
Red Line Water Wetter (http://www.summitracing.com) 7.95
1/2 barbed tee .85


Approx. $130.00 before shipping.

BTW there is tons of excellent information over at the forums at http://www.procooling.com.

For pump

Mag Drive Supreme is very good..........just make sure you seal it up.........I seen people with no problem with them and then there is me who had a slight mess to clean up

Ehiem 1250 also a very good pump

Radiator depends on the amount of room you have.........Go here to figure out what you want.........print out a picture of it and take it to your local auto parts store........

http://www.heatercore4u.com/Make.htm

Chevette heater core is very close to Big Momma without the price tag..............figure about 20 dollars from auto parts store


Aquacoil is another choice for cube style radiators..........


For water blocks

Spiral is good but expect a delay..........as i am seeing one month or more delays in shipping

http://www.borderbuyer.com/fixittt/wate ... roject.htm


Maze 2 with spiral design also


http://www.dangerden.com/images/MAZE2/MAZE2X_Large.gif


For size of water lines I go with 1/2 inch............



thats me

Jen