Moving a water cooled system - What to do?

[Safeway]

Would you drain the loop completely? Leave the water in and just handle with care?

I'll be taking my computer with me back to college, which is a 3 hour drive south.

 

[Mrvile]

Since I only use pure distilled water in my loop, it's not a hassle to drain and fill. I assume (since you're newer to WC) you're using a distilled water setup, so just to be on the safe side drain it and refill.

 

[JME Fidelity]

Well on mine I made a fill and drain line. so all I have to do to drain it is turn a valve. But id say just drain it.

 

[Safeway]

So draining is a requirement I assume. There is no way that I should transport the computer with a full loop?

 

[JME Fidelity]

ehhh I think just to be on the safe side you should drain it.

 

[Bona Fide]

Depends on the kind of transportation...

If you're moving it from one room in your house to the one next-door to it, no need to drain. If you're moving houses, it's highly advisable.

 

[Safeway]

I am moving 3 hours away. The computer will in inside the vehicle, with towels and/or pillows cushioning it. I will also brace all components. The vehicle it would be transported in is a comfortable riding truck.

The move isn't a big deal, as it won't be thrown in a box in the back of the truck again. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to drain it.

 

[imported_Kensai]

If you move it with a full loop, you better be careful, make sure all your connections are tight.
Still, if it leaks, it shouldn't damage the hardware as long as you don't power it up while it's still wet.

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: Kensai
If you move it with a full loop, you better be careful, make sure all your connections are tight.
Still, if it leaks, it shouldn't damage the hardware as long as you don't power it up while it's still wet.

??? couldnt the NaCl deposits from the evaporated water on any of the ICs be conductive and total the hardware? or is soadium only conductive when its dissicoated in water?

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: Kensai
If you move it with a full loop, you better be careful, make sure all your connections are tight.
Still, if it leaks, it shouldn't damage the hardware as long as you don't power it up while it's still wet.

??? couldnt the NaCl deposits from the evaporated water on any of the ICs be conductive and total the hardware? or is soadium only conductive when its dissicoated in water?

That only applies to impure water. Assuming he's using filtered distilled H2O, he should be okay. 🙂

 

[TheoPetro]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: TheoPetro

Originally posted by: Kensai
If you move it with a full loop, you better be careful, make sure all your connections are tight.
Still, if it leaks, it shouldn't damage the hardware as long as you don't power it up while it's still wet.

??? couldnt the NaCl deposits from the evaporated water on any of the ICs be conductive and total the hardware? or is soadium only conductive when its dissicoated in water?

That only applies to impure water. Assuming he's using filtered distilled H2O, he should be okay. 🙂

oooooo alrighty gotcha. i jsut use tap water in mine lol guess only i have to worry about that

 

[Mrvile]

Well Safeway, it's not a requirement but better safe than sorry. It only takes a few minutes to drain then a few minutes to fill again anyway :disgust:

 

[Safeway]

True, Mrvile ... Except that I have yet to put in a drain valve :laugh:

That would be alot easier. I use 90% distilled water, 10% plain antifreeze. So I'd need to pour off some antifreeze into a water bottle 🙂

Edit: Btw, they need to make a title between 3k posts and 10k posts. Being a Diamond Member forever sucks. Maybe a Platinum Member?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Safeway
True, Mrvile ... Except that I have yet to put in a drain valve :laugh:

That would be alot easier. I use 90% distilled water, 10% plain antifreeze. So I'd need to pour off some antifreeze into a water bottle 🙂

Antifreeze...yuk. I'd like to use it (especially for the anticorrosive properties) but my parents will not stand antifreeze anywhere in the house 😛

I don't have a drain valve myself, but I find it easy enough just to pull the tube from the res, pull it down as low as it goes and draining it that way.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: Safeway
True, Mrvile ... Except that I have yet to put in a drain valve :laugh:

That would be alot easier. I use 90% distilled water, 10% plain antifreeze. So I'd need to pour off some antifreeze into a water bottle 🙂

Antifreeze...yuk. I'd like to use it (especially for the anticorrosive properties) but my parents will not stand antifreeze anywhere in the house 😛

I don't have a drain valve myself, but I find it easy enough just to pull the tube from the res, pull it down as low as it goes and draining it that way.

True that. Anti-freeze is a definate yuck. I used it for the anticorrosive properties you mentioned, and to soften the water a bit. It helped keep bubbles off the blocks and res. I also heard and read that it will help keep a loop algae-free.

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Safeway

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: Safeway
True, Mrvile ... Except that I have yet to put in a drain valve :laugh:

That would be alot easier. I use 90% distilled water, 10% plain antifreeze. So I'd need to pour off some antifreeze into a water bottle 🙂

Antifreeze...yuk. I'd like to use it (especially for the anticorrosive properties) but my parents will not stand antifreeze anywhere in the house 😛

I don't have a drain valve myself, but I find it easy enough just to pull the tube from the res, pull it down as low as it goes and draining it that way.

True that. Anti-freeze is a definate yuck. I used it for the anticorrosive properties you mentioned, and to soften the water a bit. It helped keep bubbles off the blocks and res. I also heard and read that it will help keep a loop algae-free.

Well, you've already got it working but I recommend doing a little research before throwing stuff into your watercooling loop. A lot of good info about coolants and antifreezes here.

 

[Safeway]

I actually read that, but the 90/10 was suggested by many HardForum memberes (not noobs either, 'lifers' if you will)

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I actually read that, but the 90/10 was suggested by many HardForum memberes (not noobs either, 'lifers' if you will)

We don't use this "water" thing. We use R410.

 

[Safeway]

Eh?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I actually read that, but the 90/10 was suggested by many HardForum memberes (not noobs either, 'lifers' if you will)

Well what I'm saying is that you should know exactly what goes into your loop.

For example, if you do 90/10 with Prestone Antifreeze, you get about 9pH, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, proprietary corrosion inhibitor, is toxic to humans and animals, works as a moderate biocide.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: Mrvile

Originally posted by: Safeway
I actually read that, but the 90/10 was suggested by many HardForum memberes (not noobs either, 'lifers' if you will)

Well what I'm saying is that you should know exactly what goes into your loop.

For example, if you do 90/10 with Prestone Antifreeze, you get about 9pH, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, proprietary corrosion inhibitor, is toxic to humans and animals, works as a moderate biocide.

Yep - used Prestone. I knew I didn't want pH > 10, I bummed some pH testers from my girlfriend.