Using AIR CONDITIONER to Cool PC Radiator in a Water Cooled System.

cha0sfaction01

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i was wondering if this would work because in my country it is very hot and really not care about the electricity bills in the air conditioner. if i can use the Air Conditioner to cool the Radiator just the RADIATOR Will it work???
 
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After reading all the responses, and have actually used an AC unit to cool my computer with direct air porting to the computers intake not by way of radiator, here's my 2 cents on the subject.

First of all, yes it will work, the radiator cold capture is a good idea, not as well as you may imagine but will work.

The not as well is because an AC unit cycles the compressor, meaning there will be build up time period of very good useable cold output air, then it gradually gets warmer as the cooling...

Traildriver

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I would be concerned with condensation forming on that radiator and dripping into the PC. Is the entire output of the AC to be direct channelled into the rad via ducting? Then condensation would not be so much of a problem as the water is condensed out in the AC unit.

Will the AC be on all the time or will it cycle on and off? How will the PC keep cool while the AC is off? Where is the AC temp sensor located. Will it be near the heat source you want to chill (the PC) or will it only sense ambient room temperature.

But noise would be a problem. How far away is the AC? It better also be on a completely separate power supply circuit as the AC cycling on and off will create power spikes and drops that will end up affecting your PC. Will EMF output from the AC unit affect your PC?

Why not consider just pouring the AC output into the side of the PC? Or put the PC in a small fridge with suitable EMF shielding from the fridge motor?
 

cha0sfaction01

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I mean only the radiator.the radiator will be seperated and im just gonna use long tubing...
 

cha0sfaction01

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i think it will not because just like a small fans it just cools the radiator and the water that passes through it and if your going to replace the small fans with an AC it will be more cooler and I think its only the radiator will be wet due to condensation but not the system because it is far from the AC its just the radiator and the water that passes through it whos cooled by the AC.
 
Condensation occurs when there is a difference of temperature, namely in this case the water in your loop and the ambient air. With a typical radiator setup, your water will never go below ambient temperature and will sit somewhere above it. Depending on the dewpoint of your climate, this can cause condensation, but it doesnt matter as that condensation will be inside your loop. The hot air in your loop is being cooled by the ambient air, so water forms on the inside. The opposite occurs if its reversed, your can of cold drink has condensation on the outside because its cooling the air and drawing out moisture as a result.

Suddenly if you introduce sub ambient (as in, the air around the PC) air to the rad, it is possible for your water temperature to go below ambient. This can cause condensation, and now it matters as water will form on the outside of the loop.

Your idea is sound, but you need to put some thought into this. Figure out the dewpoint of your area (I think the Sub-ambient thread has the equation, if not just google it I guess) and if you think its high enough that it will be a problem, you will have to insulate your loop.
 

cha0sfaction01

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i think condensation will not happen because the room is also cooled by the Air Conditioner
 


After reading all the responses, and have actually used an AC unit to cool my computer with direct air porting to the computers intake not by way of radiator, here's my 2 cents on the subject.

First of all, yes it will work, the radiator cold capture is a good idea, not as well as you may imagine but will work.

The not as well is because an AC unit cycles the compressor, meaning there will be build up time period of very good useable cold output air, then it gradually gets warmer as the cooling coils equalize down to the compressor cut in point again.

You will need to insulate the tubing distance from the computer to the radiator at the AC output.

The air coming from the AC unit itself is always going to be cooler than the mass ambient room temperature, but with the CPUs supplied heat to the loop an equilibrium point will still occur in the loop and it will be below ambient, to some point.

Possibly not as much as you may be hoping for, but enough because anything below ambient is good, but don't be concerned with the thoughts regarding condensation worries as I don't think condensation will be a problem for this cooling idea at all.

I run peltier chilled water cooling and condensation doesn't begin to form where I live until 15c below ambient and I don't see you being able to go that low with your AC unit, simply because of the AC cycling.

How far below ambient you'll be able to go is a test you'll have to learn for yourself, I would leave your cooling fans on the radiator to assist pulling the AC air through the radiator to assure a constant flow of cooled air through the radiator at all times.

Sounds interesting, Let us know your results? Ryan

 
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schmuckley

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bend the evaporator down into the res :D
If you're worried about condensation..insulate! :D
dielectric grease in the socket..some eraser..maybe LET on the back..good to go!