Refilling a Water Cooled System

[pirred908]

I want to drain out my water cooling system and refill it. I was wondering what would be the most effectiuve way of doing this? What should I refill it with? (obviously water), but what kind of coolant is best? i was hoping for something UV reactive.

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

I would just use distilled water and a color dye. However, I have a Koolance and they provide the replacement tank filling. You can go to: They have some watercooling accessories
http://xoxide.com

 

[pirred908]

Could I use just coolant? Sorry if thats a stupid question. Would an automotive coolant be a good idea?

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

I doubt the performance would be better. Koolance sells a refill that has a mixture already. I don't know how it would work with your system however.

 

[Blain]

Use distilled water for the majority of your refill.


Wow... The authors wife had a baby and a stroke too... PayPal on the way to help with the bills.

 

[pirred908]

okay, Thank you.

 

[Mark R]

I'd probably use a good quality car coolant, and dilute as directed with distilled water.

Coolants contain corrosion protectors to protect the radiator and heatsink, and contain lubricants to protect the pump. It really doesn't matter what type you use, as long as you flush the system out thoroughly first. They can slightly reduce cooling capacity - so don't use more than is directed - in fact, if you diluted it up at half-recommended strength that would probably be optimal.

 

[pirred908]

How can I throughly flush my system? I want to make sure I get ALL the old water out. (Its tap water)

 

[Varun]

Automotive coolant is designed for two things. It keeps the water from boiling at 100C, and keeps it from freezing at 0C. It is not a good conductor of heat. Water is a great conductor of heat, and that is what I would use. I know you are not going to be worried about the water boiling over, or the cooling system freezing. I like the idea of a colored dye if you want a UV effect.

 

[gotensan01]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned just fluid xp or water wetter with steam distilled water. If I were completely flushing out my system, I would try to get most of the old water out then maybe just fill it with distilled water and let it run for a bit, then drain that out and fill it with the mixture you want to use. I don't know how to completely drain well though because you aren't supposed to run a pump without water flowing through.

 

[pirred908]

Okay, Thanks again for the help guys.

 

[Blain]

FluidXP is mainly... de-ionized water, with a few ingredients...

"What is in FluidXP?"

 

[pelikan]

Distilled water and 10% antifreeze. Don't use too much antifreeze because it makes the water too thick to circulate well.
You want two things in an additive: organic growth killer and anti-corrosive. Antifreeze (auto coolant) works for this. Water wetter and other products like it also work, but some people say it clouds up their tubing.

 

[TitanDiddly]

Put a highlighter core in the water for color.