Case Mod - In Progress e-H2O pt.1

I'm trying something a bit different this time, my inspiration came a while ago after reading about the development of a heart in a box.

I acquired an e-GPU and this made me think this would be pretty cool to do the same with an e-water loop to provide cooling on the go for a small water cooled PC that could be plugged into a different loop when at home.

It remained a concept floating round in my mind until i spotted some medium sized safe cases reduced in my local DIY shop.

=

I acquired a couple of boxes with the intention of using one as "the heart in a box".



I tried a number of different methods to glue a frame to the case, but being polypropylene nothing sticks, its like the opposite of excrement to a blanket.

I settled on drilling four small holes in the base of the case where the moulded feet are. I could then add o-rings to retain the waterproofing.




I then feed M6 screws from the outside to secure the large metal plate to the base of the case.

I was originally going to use a nut on the inside to secure the plate, but I received an early fathers day present of a nut riveter.



This allowed me to put a threaded insert into the metal plate to attach the screw to. I was amazed at how well this worked and how secure the plate is.

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I offered up the radiator to the plate to mark where it will fit.



The fans sit just under the case lip.



Not pictured is the fact I have added 8 x 10mm standoffs to the radiator to give the radiator clearance from the retaining base plate.

I drilled some holes to match the standoffs to allow me to firmly attach the radiator to the base plate.



I added a couple more components to show the intended plan.



I'm awaiting a temp / flow monitor being delivered tomorrow I can then test the quick disconnects I am trialling to make sure its suitable (and don't restrict flow too much). More in the thread here: Link



Thanks to @Yaka @edzieba @cobalt6700 @The_Crapman for the guidance on the QDC fittings.

 

This travel setup won't pass through any airports, right?

 

No way that’s getting on a plane. Liquids restrictions aside try to explain what it is to the people at security wouldn’t be a fun experience.

 

Sometimes all you need is someone to confirm you are (or aren’t) crazy.

 

Update time!

My friendly amazon guy arrived mid afternoon so once I had completed my fathers days activities (shout out to all the dads) and put the boy to bed this evening I retired to the garage to plumb some stuff up!

Here is the setup:




Its pretty cool being able to remove the base plate and work on the loop. Everything is so easy to access.

The base line setup is:

• 1 x 240mm Rad, 30mm thick
• EK-XTOP SPC-60 PWM - Plexi
  
• Aquacomputer Waterblock for Aquaero 5 (its not needed but gives a really nice return feature to firm the whole loop up)
  
• Thermaltake Pacific Tf1 Temperature and Flow Indicator
  
• Various fittings and tubing

I achieved a fairly stable 136 L/h which equates to approx 0.6 G/m

Next I added the QDC in (these ones):




Getting around 115-120 l/h which is a drop of 15 L/h or 0.06G/M. It was more difficult to bleed using my T-line but still looking ok.

So how do they work as a quick disconnect?




Pretty damn good!

I'm trying to source a couple of QDCs from Alphacool and Koolance to do a comparison. If anyone has any in a draw and fancies letting me borrow them for testing please drop me a PM. After a bit of testing versus watercooling specific fittings I will decide where to go next.

Not a bad test.

 

I follow with interest

 

I saw that res and wondered how the heck that would fit in the case. I think I'm still half asleep.

 

Just for filling as currently got a T-line arrangement.

 

Thumbs up for testing and sharing.

Beefy fittings.

 

A set of Alphacool Eiszapfen arrived. They are a lot smaller!



Here's the result of the Alphacool fittings



However the amount of fluid after a disconnect is more significant and the disconnecting process feels less "secure" which is quite hard to quantify.



I reset the loop again and am back to 136L / M with no QDC's, so comparing apples to apples looks like the Alphacool fittings are about 3 l/m or ~20% less restrictive.



The Flowfit fittings are quite a bit cheaper in the UK and seem to seal better, but are bigger and more restrictive. So I'm weighing up which solution I go for. I could potentially use a thicker rad with the alphacool fittings, so I might try that out then make a decision.

Thoughts?

 

I didn't realise how beefy until the alphacool ones arrived.

 

I like the look but I have gone with the flexibility of the Alphacool fittings. I have been discussing the issues around airflow clearance and might change the radiator up. I rally want to put a res in the loop rather than a T-line, so might mix it up a little.

 

interesting job any news?