(UPDATE) Another Chiller Thread!

[wkopplin]

I've seen it done in a refridgerator. The hose is coiled up into a large container of water that is kept in the refridgerator. They drilled two holes into the side of the fridge for the inlet and outlet of the hose to go and just sealed it off, you could probably use any sealant to do this and I'd seal from both inside and outside.

I helped to make a keg machine like that one time. I think that after all the experimentation, it might be cheaper to just buy a chiller.

[Gator]

i agree with koplin

[NaCl_H2O]

For those that were interested ... I did a little experiment this weekend. Took a 2' section of glass tubing and hooked it up to about 100g of 78 deg water with a Mag5 pumping water around. I hung the glass in front of my 10,000 BTU AC and ran it "FULL BLAST" for an hour.

Temperature change of the 100g of water was 0.2 degF
Temperature change of the air in the room was FRIGIN COLD :o

I think this one can be chaulked up to "Bad Idea"

Thanks for the input!!

- Steve

[JimD]

The problem was the Mag 5, you'd need much slower flow to be anywhere near effective. Try a paristaltic pump or similar...

[::pete::]

I agree with Jim, its not that the idea is bad, but the water isnt sitting in front of the AC long enough. What about coiled plastic tubing along with the suggested pump?

[NaCl_H2O]

Forgot to mention that the MAG5 was driving a closed loop on my RO/DI tanks (just put together for my new system), and I ran the "Chiller" tube of an auxilary outlet with a valve I had turned WAY DOWN. Maybe I'll try again someday with more tubes (surface area).

Pete - I don't think the plastic tubing would exchange enough heat. The obvious heat exchanger would be a "Real" heat exchanger - Like a small radiator, but I wouldn't trust a stainless steel one, and I have never seen a reasoanble priced Titanium exchanger.

To make this idea work I think I would need 10-20 galss tubes enclosed in a duct box and the return air directed back to the A/C intake.

[RobertG]

I kicked all these ideas around, I just ****ed away time. How big is your fishroom? I was using a 5K BTU window unit & it sucked. My tank would sit at about 82-83, I did not like this because summer had'nt even hit yet. I said screw it, I dont want to buy a 1200.00 chiller. I went to HD & picked up a 18K BTU window unit, hooked it up & the tank has not gone over 79. I keep the elec. thermostat at 73. This keeps the tank right so far. I run my fuge on a reverse photo period, doing this I think keeps it stable.
My system is right at 300G. The tankroom is about 110Sqft.

Also the room is nice & comfy. If I had to sleep in there I would be very comfortable. So far I hav'nt had to! :-D The wife is being nice & has'nt kicked me outta bed; YET!!!

My point, Sorry. Try the A/C by itself first, that is alot of water. I dont feel you will have any heat issues. I dont.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have a 10K BTU AC unit and the room is about 100 sf, but won't be fully closed off from the rest of the house ... but I can point the AC right at the sump. I plan on running the fuge and possibly grow out tank on a reverse photo period. I have a 1/4HP chiller from my 125g that will also help.

I think you are right, the AC combined with fans across the sump(s) and exausts for lights should (I HOPE!) do the trick.

The DIY chiller was mostly just a curiosity, and my "Plan B", if needed!

[Tim Marvin]

If you keep the room around 76 and have a fan blowing directly onto the water, you probably won't need any more chilling. An auto top-off will be a MUST though.