Project: Sho Stopper - a few hardware changes...

Hey thanks for the idea! That AC name is getting too much coverage on my computer anyway. I gather you get a nice basic black plate in front.

Added: Nope not going to work on my setup I would end up with all my tubes hanging out in the middle of the case. Thanks anyway.

 

Erm, can't you just turn the tube around so the outlets/inlets face the other way, and move the pump mount over?

 

Looking good Sho. Those "double-stacked" AquaStreams are COOL
I am looking forward to the flow meter testing data..

 

In my desire to make sure my flow rates are at or above 1.5 l/m I decided to test the Innovatek Rev. 2.0 Flow Meter. Practically speaking, a “Pass Through” type of meter should work better than a U-Shaped one shouldn’t it?


In this anecdotal comparison I simply compared the Innovatek unit to the AquaComputer (AC) unit under the same conditions.

I took measurements using the Aquero at four different frequencies with both FM's. The numbers I referenced below were obtained using a single Aquastream (AS). For both units a one-gallon container (half full) was used in addition to an AC Aquajet and Aquatube.

Given the results I thought there was a mistake somewhere. I made sure I input the correct Imp/L for the AC and Innovatek units (509 and 232 respectively). I double and triple checked to make sure the IN and OUT lines installed correctly as well. To verify the results I measured a specific amount of water and the time it took to empty the container. The results corresponded to the readings that were displayed on the Aquero. I did not verify the AC FM results this way due to the fact that the unit was used by me previously and the results were typical of those reported by other users.

I believe the results are reproducible as all I had in the loop was an Aquatube (using the Aquajet) and the pump. The water was being sucked from a 1-gallon container that was half full and returned to the same container. I did nothing different between tests. I simply switched meters and adjusted the Imp/L accordingly.

The results shown are in liters per minute (l/m). Frequencies were adjusted using the AC Aquero VFD for both units.


Innovatek Flow Meter Revision 2.0 results using the Aquastream at the frequencies specified below. Note I captured the high and low readings after watching the unit at the specified frequencies for approximately one minute.
@Default – 2.59-2.61
@69Hz – 3.01-3.04
@72Hz – 3.28-3.34
@74Hz – 3.59-3.61



AquaComputer Flow Meter results using the Aquastream at the frequencies specified below. Note a range was given if the values changed during the observation period.
@Default – .96
@69Hz – 1.42
@72Hz – 1.42-1.43
@74Hz – 1.59-1.60

Throughout the range of frequencies tested the results varied from 173% on the low end (Delta between .96-2.61) to 126% on the high end (Delta between 1.60-3.61).

 

Hoo-boy is that AC meter a flowkiller! I'll probably never bother with either as I know what my Aquajet looks like with either of my pumps off, but it's definately interesting to see that.

 

Was the tubing length kept the same in both tests? It appears the AquaComputer setup used a much longer piece of tubing between the pump and the flow meter.

 

@Mr. Firehed - I was very surprised by the results. I am hoping someone else has both meters and is willing to duplicate the tests. Sorry to hear about your card. Hopefully with the next gen cards on the street you will be able to find another "on the cheap."

@MegadetHCl - I did shorten the length of the return tubing for the AC meter b/c of counter space. Guessing, I would say the amount of tubing I cut off was about 8 inches. The intake loop was approximately 11 inches long. That would mean that the AC unit used about 3-4 inches more tubing.

 

You know the screwy part of this FM deal is that AC has to have known all about this. So why didn't they either buy it from the same place as Innovatek or got someone else to sell them one?

 

Thanks for the card advice. I submitted an RMA on the card so I'll have a replacement for the cost of shipping, no biggie. I'm just now really tempted to sell that and my other card for hopefully $550-600 for the pair and pick up a 7800GT around the $400 mark and put the rest towards an X2 (and perhaps cut off the voltage chip cooler from the 6800 block and slap it on the 7800, as I'm fairly confident the layout is the same aside from that). More pondering to be done but I won't ponder too much in your thread.

I think just a simple verification would be a straight tube and one with two L fittings, and just do the "how fast does it move this gallon of water" method (or liter or whatever). You know... not $100 in flow meters but $5 in fittings plus a stopwatch

 

This wont work as the ram on the 7800's is 0.3 microns taller than the ram on the 6800's so the core wont sit properly if u do some good lapping on the ram cooler then it should make good contact

 

This issue is not a problem with an Aqua Computer AquagraFX 6800 rev 2 cooler as it has a floating GPU core. So it adjusts to the difference between the ram and the GPU.

 

That works, but it really is a status thing I think for us rich geeks.

 

Interesting to say the least..I can't believe my beloved Aqua-Computer would stick us with such a "dog of a flow meter"..Disappointing, very disappointing..

 

I think the Aqua-Computer AquaStream has a spec'd flow rate of 300 l/h so the #'s you are getting are possible (and very good). Innovatek beats out Aqua-Computer..

 

Well, that's the reason why a lot of people extend the inlet with a drill

Then use the outlet as inlet and you have a accurate diameter. Choose 256 imp/l for the sensor to get a correct result.

 

Just what you say Shoggy, that's what I have done with my AC flowmeters. The inlet is far to small.

 

Hello Shoggy. Did you ever test the mod to see how much the flow rates improved?

You will probably notice the Eheim 1048 in the background in one of the pics above. The "stock" 1048 produced 2.98-3.02 l/m. I was pleased to find that my little 1046 on roids (aka steroids...aka Aquastream) matched the output of a 1048 at 69Hz. I am sure I could have achieved the same or better flow rates at at lower Hz with the Aquastream had I used a straight intake fitting like I did with the 1048. I said all that to say the Aquastream is an impressive pump.

 

I have opened the inlet but I have not done any tests or comparisons.

 

Hope to test flow rates soon

Here are some early pics of the two loops. I had to use an elbow on the exhaust, which wasn't in my original plans. Once I get it up and running I will re-plumb if the flow rates are not to my liking.

I am going to use the carbon fiber on the drives to clean them up a bit. On with the pics...

 

That kind of pics make me jealous, I can't pay that expensive hardware.
Looks really nice