Scratch Build The Mineral Oil PC - 3/24/2011 - More leaks :(

[sortableturnip]

All of the work you have done so far is fantastic!

One question though: Would it be more feasible to put the radiators above the mineral oil chamber? That way, the weight is at the bottom, which would put less stress on the brackets and make it more stable (less top heavy). Also, since the hotter mineral oil would rise to the top, make it easier to cool?

[Odin Eidolon]

Originally Posted by sortableturnip

All of the work you have done so far is fantastic!

One question though: Would it be more feasible to put the radiators above the mineral oil chamber? That way, the weight is at the bottom, which would put less stress on the brackets and make it more stable (less top heavy). Also, since the hotter mineral oil would rise to the top, make it easier to cool?

seems like a good idea to me.

this one is gonna be one of the most heavy case of the world

[legoman666]

Originally Posted by sortableturnip

All of the work you have done so far is fantastic!

One question though: Would it be more feasible to put the radiators above the mineral oil chamber? That way, the weight is at the bottom, which would put less stress on the brackets and make it more stable (less top heavy). Also, since the hotter mineral oil would rise to the top, make it easier to cool?

Originally Posted by Odin Eidolon

seems like a good idea to me.

this one is gonna be one of the most heavy case of the world

Yes, that would be the ideal design. I struggled when I designed the general layout. The problem is that the cables coming from the motherboard have to go in the top of the case. My intent is to make the motherboard tray semi-removable like this:




Using a drawer slide similar to this. The top aluminum portion is going to be on hinges so I can pull the slide out. I wouldn't be able to do this if the radiators were on top.

[sortableturnip]

Originally Posted by legoman666

Yes, that would be the ideal design. I struggled when I designed the general layout. The problem is that the cables coming from the motherboard have to go in the top of the case. My intent is to make the motherboard tray semi-removable like this:

Using a drawer slide similar to this. The top aluminum portion is going to be on hinges so I can pull the slide out. I wouldn't be able to do this if the radiators were on top.

what about an opening in the back a la the SilverStone Raven RV01:



You could make the tubing from the radiators to the mineral oil chamber have QDC's (Quick disconnect connectors)

[legoman666]

Originally Posted by sortableturnip

what about an opening in the back a la the SilverStone Raven RV01:

Yes, that is the plan. However, the cables all still come out of the "top" of the motherboard.

[sortableturnip]

Originally Posted by legoman666

Yes, that is the plan. However, the cables all still come out of the "top" of the motherboard.

Having it on the bottom has its advantages as well...keeps the build simple. The only way I can see keeping the radiators up top and making the motherboard semi-removable would be to either have the radiators on the side/back and have the input/output at the top or put the radiators on top and have the enclosure on top removable or hinged so that you can access the mobo easily. Might be more trouble than its worth to build it that way.

Man, I wish I was good at using CAD programs, could show you pics of what I mean...

[legoman666]

Someone needs to make a mineral oil cooled computer similar to how a transformer is designed.


Like this. Transformers use natural convection to keep the oil cool. This particular transformer is made for 100% passive operation.


I got a shot of the stuff we (the utility I work for) use in transformers. Here's some data I looked up on it, thought other folks might find it interesting:
MSDS Sheet: http://www.equivashellmsds.com/Displ....asp?ID=202481
Specifications: http://www.nttworldwide.com/docs/diala-ax.pdf

The highly refined mineral oil contains <3% (w/w) DMSO-extract, according to IP346.
Highly refined mineral oils and additives.

I need to get myself a drum of it.

Edit: Sweet, I asked the dude if I could buy 10 gallons of this stuff: http://cgi.ebay.com/Shell-Diala-HFX-...QQcmdZViewItem That would be awesome.

[AFX]

subscribed!

[sortableturnip]

Originally Posted by legoman666

Edit: Sweet, I asked the dude if I could buy 10 gallons of this stuff: http://cgi.ebay.com/Shell-Diala-HFX-...QQcmdZViewItem That would be awesome.

That's cheaper than mineral oil by about $3/gal...didn't know mineral oil was that expensive!

[Cheapskate]

You could build your computer case like that transformer. You just need some copper pipe and an *ssload of 90 degree elbows and tees. You could probably solder the whole mess into a steel box easily.

[legoman666]

Little side project I'm working on

Dual P3 933Mhz, 256mb PC600 Rambus, Voodoo 5 5500 AGP with the intent of playing all of the old school games I missed ~2000. I have these games in the list:
Baldur's Gate II
Deus Ex
Gothic
Grim Fandango
Half Life
Icewind Dale
Max Payne
Myth
No One Lives Forever
Planescape: Torment
Quake 3
Red Alert
System Shock 2
Thief - The Dark Project
Tribes

Should be awesome! I just need a case for the beast... Weird thing, the bios on this ~10 year old board supports the mouse (USB no less) and has drop down menus. WTF.

[NZ_mod_man]

Very, very, interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on this one.

Subscribed!

[tominated]

great idea with that transformer ol stuff. looking forward to see how this goes. let's hope it's a decent colour too

[Odin Eidolon]

some old games are still way better than new ones to me. nothing is better than Monkey Island

[Loom]

Originally Posted by Odin Eidolon

some old games are still way better than new ones to me. nothing is better than Monkey Island

You fight like a dairy farmer.

[legoman666]

Something I've been working on...




LED chaser lights! Weeeee. It took me forever to get that thing wired up. There are two potentiometers, one controls the brightness and the other controls the speed.


Yea, for some reason, the pinout for the 3rd LED doesn't work on the IC. Don't know what's up with that. I bought an extra one, so when I make the final design, I'll use the spare. The plan is to arrange the LEDs in a circle and use the circuit for the HDD activity light. I'll probably stick the LEDs behind some frosted plexiglass to help diffuse the light as well. Should be pretty cool.

Here's the circuit I used: http://www.electronics-lab.com/proje...003/index.html
Until next time...

[Odin Eidolon]

Originally Posted by Loom

You fight like a dairy farmer.

oh crap, this wasnt in the Italian version
you beat me

[Cheapskate]

You will want an off switch on the chaser. They will bug the sh*t out of you after 2 minutes.

[legoman666]

Originally Posted by Cheapskate

You will want an off switch on the chaser. They will bug the sh*t out of you after 2 minutes.

Lol, probably.

Good news! I was talking to my boss at work and somehow we got to talking about this project. I explained what I was doing and why (lol, that's harder to explain than you might think) and the subject of mineral oil came up. I mentioned that I found an auction on eBay that was for the same type of stuff that we use but it would cost me ~$200 to get a hold of 10 gallons. Boss man took me to see the guy in charge of construction of new substations and told me to explain my project to him. The guy called someone up at the warehouse where we keep the oil and arranged for me to come pick up 10 gallons of the stuff for free some time next week!

Huzzah! Saves me $200. My only concern is that the stuff won't be clear. However, I've seen the inside of one of our freshly oil filled transformers and it was as clear as any other mineral oil I've seen, so I should be set.

[Odin Eidolon]

Originally Posted by legoman666

Lol, probably.

Good news! I was talking to my boss at work and somehow we got to talking about this project. I explained what I was doing and why (lol, that's harder to explain than you might think) and the subject of mineral oil came up. I mentioned that I found an auction on eBay that was for the same type of stuff that we use but it would cost me ~$200 to get a hold of 10 gallons. Boss man took me to see the guy in charge of construction of new substations and told me to explain my project to him. The guy called someone up at the warehouse where we keep the oil and arranged for me to come pick up 10 gallons of the stuff for free some time next week!

Huzzah! Saves me $200. My only concern is that the stuff won't be clear. However, I've seen the inside of one of our freshly oil filled transformers and it was as clear as any other mineral oil I've seen, so I should be set.

yeeeh! lucky guy!