Can I fill up my reservoir completely?

Enhasa

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Jul 10, 2014
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Sorry for asking this stupid question.

I am using frozenq helix reservoir, and my water goes out from the bottom port and comes in from the top port. As such, it creates a vortex and there's also a lot of bubbles. The res is not at the highest point. My CPU block is, so I am assuming there's also air bubbles in there.

I've tried lifting up the res temporarily and filling it to full. When I do that, most of the bubbles are gone except for some really small ones. However, water do expand, but I am not sure about how significant the expansion is. Therefore, I would like to ask if it is safe / okay to be filling up my reservoir completely?

Otherwise, is it okay to just use the system as is with all these bubbles in the res and possibly my CPU block as well?

I will eventually move both entry and exit ports for the res to the bottom, but I am out of tubes at the moment and what I have right now isn't long enough to route to the bottom, so I need a solution to tide me through these 1-2 weeks.

One last question. I have a swiftech D5 pump. What's a good pump speed to set it at for most people?

My loop is basically Res --> pump ---> radiator ---> GPU ---> CPU ---> res.

I appreciate any help that I can get.

Thank you!
 
Solution
I agree with not completely filling the reservoir as you will want a little bit of head space, maybe 1-2cm at most. If you notice the level dropping, this means you are displacing water with air because of 1 of 2 things: you are purging air from your system (likely radiator trapped bubbles), or you have a leak.

I also currently run a D5 and have it set to the highest setting. It is almost inaudible from anywhere in the room at this setting, even with all fans on the fan controller turned off. Some say they can hear it, but I question this or if they have pump issues.

menengrone

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Jul 10, 2014
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Dear Enhasa,

This reservoir, the top port is a fill port, used for refill the liquid, using the top port of any reservoir creates bubbles.

The right thing is connect on bottom port. If you using the top port, how do you refill your reservoir?.
 

Enhasa

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Jul 10, 2014
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Hey,

first of all thanks a lot for helping.

My res has many ports for some reason. I am using the top side ports as intake for now, since my tubing isn't long enough to reach the bottom port. I also have a port all the way at the top that I am using as my fill port.

Is it safe to fill the res to full capacity and basically remove all air from the loop?
 

menengrone

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Hi,

Is good idea leave some space on top of reservoir for water expansion, and check for leak, fill to full capacity when you open the fill port the water can escape out because of pressure inside of system.

Full fill the reservoir the rise of pressure of water can produce leak in your blocks.
 

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
I agree with not completely filling the reservoir as you will want a little bit of head space, maybe 1-2cm at most. If you notice the level dropping, this means you are displacing water with air because of 1 of 2 things: you are purging air from your system (likely radiator trapped bubbles), or you have a leak.

I also currently run a D5 and have it set to the highest setting. It is almost inaudible from anywhere in the room at this setting, even with all fans on the fan controller turned off. Some say they can hear it, but I question this or if they have pump issues.
 
Solution

menengrone

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Better explanation that my, D5 pump has high pressure, and you don't have some air to minimize the water expansion.

sorry rubix_1011, but my D5 at level 5, I hear the bubbles, is audible. little bubbles some times is an intermittent sound like a spike noise.

But is easy to check if you system is sealed and no air, first, mark precisely the water level in your reservoir (system off and cold), when the system is running, the water level decrease little bit, the water vapor on top increase pressure. turn off and wait the water temperature drop to ambient temperature.

The water level increase and will be at same point that you marked. No Leak or air.

Look Phobya dual bay reservoir, has 2cm of air gap on top.
http://

Or use Pressure Equalization Membrane in fill port.


What you think?
 

rubix_1011

Contributing Writer
Moderator
My D5 has run at level 5 ever since day one...around 8 years ago. I have to put my ear right next to it in order to hear anything, and that is a hum and occasional cavitation.

Also remember that air in the system can play notable tricks on your eyes, both when the water is cold and when it is warm as air also expands. Radiators are notorious for harboring air bubbles, even days after first build and based on how well the loop is laid out and filled.

Not all systems see water vapor in their reservoirs...I certainly do not, even when running CPU+2 GPUs at 100% for several hours running SETI@Home and Einstein@Home. This likely has something to do with your actual loop delta, the ambient room temp and dew point that would cause condensation at the temps you're seeing. Yes, temperature+air pressure will cause the boiling point of water to lower, but I would be concerned the temps/delta you are running in order to be getting this occurrence in your system.
 

menengrone

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Sorry to disappoint you but look the picture and the drops at top and is in idle, if I increase the water temperature ( full load 42C) you can see drops in top front gap. The temp of water now is 35C, measure in the inlet of pump.

Picture

Explain that (Tips Pressure)
 

menengrone

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I am not question your knowledge , only that is happen, more or less, if you have air gap anywhere in your system, you can't see inside of tubbing, caps, top of reservoir or any part that change heat with air. In my case the reservoir is large and big, the surface of contact is flat and visible (acrylic).


 

menengrone

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Without an air gap the pressure inside of system is bigger, water expansion produce more pressure( Kgf/Cm3), water is thousand times more dense, air gap absorb most part of this extra pressure.

I agree too, keep some air gap.