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Clark Pace
08-15-2015, 8:05 PM
I got an old fridge. Drilled two holes on the side for input and out put. Also put a heater core on the outside off the fridge to also help release heat.

1. Old Mini Fridge. Free
2. $6.00 plastic trash can to put inside of fridge.
3. $28 heater core from oreily auto.
4. Extra tubbing and barbs $ 15
5. $2.00 thermometer dropped in water.
6. $7.00 plug in fan to aim at heater core.

Previous setup. Office water cooler. Worked well for 2 years, but finally died.

Bill George
08-15-2015, 8:48 PM
Its all about BTU's, I suspect your water cooler compressor unit ran all the time. If you had a big ole side by side refrigerator freezer it might even have a 1/3 instead of the standard 1/4 Hp compressor.

Bert Kemp
08-16-2015, 8:15 AM
Clark some pictures would be nice for us cooler dummies LOL also what does your water temp stay at?


I got an old fridge. Drilled two holes on the side for input and out put. Also put a heater core on the outside off the fridge to also help release heat.

1. Old Mini Fridge. Free
2. $6.00 plastic trash can to put inside of fridge.
3. $28 heater core from oreily auto.
4. Extra tubbing and barbs $ 15
5. $2.00 thermometer dropped in water.
6. $7.00 plug in fan to aim at heater core.

Previous setup. Office water cooler. Worked well for 2 years, but finally died.

Tim Elmore
08-16-2015, 1:26 PM
That's not going to have enough cooling capacity for even a 40w setup unless you're doing say 50% duty cycles.

I use a 1/6HP aquarium chiller I got from Craigslist for $100. I can hold 74F through almost continuous operation, usually stopping for 5-10 minutes once an hour or so to swap out material.

Bert Kemp
08-16-2015, 8:50 PM
74 is really on the high side for good cutting and engraving , I like to keep my water 65 to 68 if it gets to 72 I add more e ice


That's not going to have enough cooling capacity for even a 40w setup unless you're doing say 50% duty cycles.

I use a 1/6HP aquarium chiller I got from Craigslist for $100. I can hold 74F through almost continuous operation, usually stopping for 5-10 minutes once an hour or so to swap out material.

Clark Pace
08-18-2015, 9:56 PM
74 is really on the high side for good cutting and engraving , I like to keep my water 65 to 68 if it gets to 72 I add more e ice

They are expensive. My water gets luke warm after a several hours. My battery on the thermostat is low so I can't give you temps. I need to replace it.

It works at least as good as the China chiller 3000. We had one of those at a previous job I worked at, and that kept temps at around 31C. I'll get a battery and let you know about my little setup. I only have 50watt machine though.

Rodne Gold
08-19-2015, 6:51 AM
I did not order Cw3000 chillers for my 4 new 400x 600 60w (weegiant tubes?) lasers
a 25 litre drum with the cheap submersible pump works .. takes ages to even warm the water a few degrees
the cw3000 is just that , a tank with a submersible , all it has "extra" is a cheap computer fan blowing on the water.

Matt McCoy
08-19-2015, 8:54 AM
Rodne: What is the temperature range?

Rodne Gold
08-19-2015, 9:26 AM
it varies from 20-25 C *not sure exactly what that is in F* , but its not high summer yet.. but even in mid summer it should still be ok.. my machines are working around 7 hrs a day .. varied applications , including a lot of thick acrylic cutting
I run both my shenhui 80w machines on a single cw5000 winter or summer.. and it can get quite hot here in afrika

Matt McCoy
08-19-2015, 9:42 AM
Thanks Rodne -- good info.

What's your opinion on something like this?

http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR)

EDIT: Here's the correct model (2300 BTU)

http://hydrofarm.com/p/AACH25

Tim Elmore
08-19-2015, 11:26 AM
Thanks Rodne -- good info.

What's your opinion on something like this?

http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR)

EDIT: Here's the correct model (2300 BTU)

http://hydrofarm.com/p/AACH25

The 1/4HP will be enough. The 1/10HP will not.

Matt McCoy
08-19-2015, 12:08 PM
Some things that should probably also be discussed in regards to chillers (DIY or otherwise) is ambient temp of your space, tube size, percentage of power used, and daily use. Some alternative cooling solutions will work fine for hobbyists, but not for manufacturing. Of course, something like a CW5000 might be overkill for an occasional tinkerer in a mild climate.

I received a free CW3000 chiller that I goofed around with adding an additional 5 gallon reservoir with ice packs. The pump bogged down trying to move that much water and created a lot of bubbles. With just the CW3000, my working temps were 25-35 degrees on a 80 W tube in a very hot space.

BTW Rodne, I checked the average monthly temperatures for Cape Town, since you mentioned that it gets quite hot. That looks like paradise to those that live in Texas during August. Be sure to bundle up this summer.

Rodne Gold
08-19-2015, 3:37 PM
hehehehe....Im off to ireland in december..I shall pack my bermudas and string vests..

Malcolm McLeod
08-19-2015, 3:54 PM
Texas weather gets such a bad rap! We have true 4-season climate: early summer, mid-summer, late summer, and that cold day.


Matt, have you heard what the designated cold day is for 2016?

Matt McCoy
08-19-2015, 4:33 PM
Texas weather gets such a bad rap! We have true 4-season climate: early summer, mid-summer, late summer, and that cold day.


Matt, have you heard what the designated cold day is for 2016?

Malcolm: I'll have to check the Farmer's Almanac. However, I think today is this year's designated day. We'll have to cook on the grill, instead of the patio this evening as the cold-front moves in.

Jeff Body
08-19-2015, 5:44 PM
Thanks Rodne -- good info.

What's your opinion on something like this?

http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0048IVBT4/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2CXIDXPR1SRQR)

EDIT: Here's the correct model (2300 BTU)

http://hydrofarm.com/p/AACH25


It's what I'm using.... Works GREAT. My garage is hot and the water can start at 90*F. I can bring it down to a rock solid 68*F and hold it there without a problem.
319925

Bert Kemp
08-20-2015, 7:43 AM
Yea Rodne better keep a heavy coat handy, this is what I live with. AVG Temps in Phoenix high and lows


95
69
May
35

21


104

77
June
40
25


106
83
July
41
28


104
82
August
40
28



100
75
September
38
24


89
64
October
32
18







Some things that should probably also be discussed in regards to chillers (DIY or otherwise) is ambient temp of your space, tube size, percentage of power used, and daily use. Some alternative cooling solutions will work fine for hobbyists, but not for manufacturing. Of course, something like a CW5000 might be overkill for an occasional tinkerer in a mild climate.

I received a free CW3000 chiller that I goofed around with adding an additional 5 gallon reservoir with ice packs. The pump bogged down trying to move that much water and created a lot of bubbles. With just the CW3000, my working temps were 25-35 degrees on a 80 W tube in a very hot space.

BTW Rodne, I checked the average monthly temperatures for Cape Town, since you mentioned that it gets quite hot. That looks like paradise to those that live in Texas during August. Be sure to bundle up this summer.

Bert Kemp
08-20-2015, 7:46 AM
So what would you call Phoenix weather? Summer, hot, H*** extrem H***


Texas weather gets such a bad rap! We have true 4-season climate: early summer, mid-summer, late summer, and that cold day.


Matt, have you heard what the designated cold day is for 2016?

Bert Kemp
08-20-2015, 7:50 AM
Jeff at that price why not just get a c5000 not that much more and will most likely outlast and work better in thr long run.I hate the price of the 5000 but I'm not going to spend over 500 on an aquarium cooler when for a couple hundred more I get a much better unit and it will last.


It's what I'm using.... Works GREAT. My garage is hot and the water can start at 90*F. I can bring it down to a rock solid 68*F and hold it there without a problem.
319925

Bill George
08-20-2015, 9:32 AM
And remember he is really using a overdriven 40 watt tube, not a true 50 or 60 watt one. BTU wise, a 1/10 hp unit is on par with a drinking water fountain, really less. The capacity is just not there.

Matt McCoy
08-20-2015, 12:13 PM
And remember he is really using a overdriven 40 watt tube, not a true 50 or 60 watt one. BTU wise, a 1/10 hp unit is on par with a drinking water fountain, really less. The capacity is just not there.


It's actually the 1/4 HP (2300 BTU).

The Aqua chiller is 200-$300 less.

Jeff Body
08-20-2015, 1:27 PM
My whole setup cost $450 shipped overnight (Because I'm impatient and I feel it's well worth the extra $10-$15) from amazon prime.
I have as much BTU as a CW5000 so there's more then enough room to grow if I get a bigger laser.
Aquarium chiller is designed to run 24/7 to maintain the temp of an aquarium so I'm not worried about using for large amounts of time.

When I moved the laser into the garage I had to do something because it was so hot in there. For the price of a CW3000 I have an active chiller that can maintain a solid temp of what ever I set it at. Currently 68* doesn't cause condensation. I'm sure once fall hits and the air is dryer I'll be able to lower the temp even more without a problem.

Clark Pace
08-24-2015, 7:46 PM
So after a few hours of engraving I am at 77F 25 Celsius with my diy setup

Tai Fu
08-23-2021, 4:34 AM
Anyone has any experience in DIY chiller with window AC unit? I can get a 8000btu used window AC unit for like maybe 100 bucks, but the CW5000 costs like 300 bucks plus shipping from China (that's another 100RMB on top of that). I'm running my laser in a place without a lot of AC and water temp is at least 35C in the summer. However a CW5000 is ready to go whereas I have to somehow build a water box around a Window AC unit... I looked everywhere for chiller units and the cheapest I can find is buying the CW5000 from Taobao.

I don't use the laser in the summer because of the heat...

John Lifer
08-23-2021, 8:22 AM
If you think you can buy a REAL CW5000 for $300 or even $400 you are kidding yourself. A REAL, as in OEM S&A CW5000 CHILLER is $600. Don't buy a fake knockoff. They are built with poor components, are are just CW3000 radiators marketed as 5000 models. But I wouldn't try and use a window air conditioner. Won't work. Direct Air exchange to cool a coil might help a couple of degrees. And if you tried to contain air with duct, you will probably reduce life of the AIR conditioner.

Tai Fu
08-23-2021, 8:37 AM
The CW5000 is 600 dollars in the US because you are buying it with dealer's markup. These things are all made in China.

What I mean is put the cooling coil of the window AC unit into water and to cool water this way.

Kev Williams
08-23-2021, 12:32 PM
Yes, you can cool the water that way. An even easier way is to buy a small $120 refrigerator, drill two holes in the door for the water lines, and run the lines into/out of a 2 or 3 gallon container of water keeping cold inside.

The problem with a homemade setup, as I see it, is regulating the water temp, especially with using an AC refer unit. A small fridge with a large enough water supply may be able to keep with the cooling demand as the laser warms the water, but I don't know for sure, and it would depend on how fast the tube is heating the water...

My C5200 cooler, in my garage shop which gets well above 80°F ambient in the summer, keeps the water temp between 19.7°C and 20.9°C, I have NEVER seen the temp above or below these numbers in use.

Tai Fu
08-23-2021, 12:48 PM
I have an extra small 2 door fridge lying around. Was thinking of just taking everything apart and then stick the cooling coil into the bucket. The bucket is a 5 gallon bucket filled with water. I already have it so I don't have to spend any money. The problem is the fridge compressor is only around 100 watts which I am not sure if it's enough to cool the water.

I heard the C5200 chiller weights quite a lot though..

John Lifer
08-24-2021, 1:18 PM
Yes, I agree with Kev, if you put coil in water it would be way better than air to metal. But sometimes it is better to pay for a real tool. I'm 62 and have found out I can cobble a lot of stuff together, but then it really NEVER works quite the way you expect, and want it to. You can 'get by', but I usually end up buying what I really thought I didn't have to. Weight is about 50 pounds filled. (maybe slightly less)