1/2 hp Chiller- I'm sick of the power cost!

[danno14]

So I am doing something about it....

I added this pump:

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Like this:

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Those with sharp eyes will note the lack of connection on the outlet....
I just wanted to get a pic to post, as it will be pretty well hidden soon and no pic available.

The pump is way more than I need, but I had it already. I think 53 watts is pretty good for what cooling it will provide.
(more to come.....)

 

[danno14]

Thanks to Scott, I now have 4 titanium pipes for the heat exchanger in the sump. I also appreciate his work with cooling.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/s...hreadid=1332850

TREMENDOUS thanks to Luke for the calculations that saved me a ton of time and $$$. I will owe you bigtime!

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Building a lake chiller? (or groundwater near the lake)
How's Luke doing?

 

[danno14]

In a nutshell, and certainly not all inclusive:
1" polypipe to and from my lake. Roughly 200 feet round trip. This pipe size should provide minimal head pressure from friction.
3/8" copper in the lake at a depth of 10+ feet, temp should be no more than 64 degrees in the hottest summer (man made lake with flow regulated by the Army Corp using glacier water). A manifold using six 8' loops of this copper in parallel to minimize head pressure (calculated as 2.1' equivalence). A similar manifold in the sump with four 6 pieces of 3/8" titanium. Roughly 2' of the Ti will be out of the water and not transferring heat to the sump. Flow from an Iwaki 20, controlled by a single stage controller- using one of two that I have. The Medusa will be the first pressed into service. A fill port at the highest point in the sump room with a ball valve, and a drain port down at the lake. Will fill with RO/DI at first and evaluate what to use as cold weather approaches. There is about 30' of drop from the sump room to the surface of the lake, and the poly pipe will go into a trench once I am certain everything works and there are no leaks.

YRMV, especially using the earth vs. the lake
(I'm lucky and I know it!)

 

[treehugger]

So what are you doing with the 1/2 hp chiller? If you're selling it let me know.
thanks
Jeff

 

[danno14]

I will probably keep it as a safety/backup. What I do with the second one that I have in backup position......

 

[treehugger]

It's always good to have a back up plan...right now my back up plan on the 240g is 5 fans...i've been thinking a chiller might be a better idea for me

 

[Herefishyfishy]

It's always good to have a back up plan...right now my back up plan on the 240g is 5 fans...i've been thinking a chiller might be a better idea for me

Jeff, get a chiller before its too late. When running halides in a room, fans are an excellent supplement to a chiller but no replacement. Too many of my friends have lost most or all due to summer heat. (sorry for the hijack Danno)

 

[danno14]

oops-licate post

 

[danno14]

The heat exchanger for the sump and lake are complete. I used epoxy to provide an extra seal against corrosion in the fittings and it is still curing. Tomorrow should be the first "wet run".

Copper loop for the lake:

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Detail of copper loop

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Ti loop for the sump

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[danno14]

Roughly 2' of the Ti will be out of the water and not transferring heat to the sump. "

THis has changed.... due to the configuration of the "stuff" already in my sump, all of it will be submerged. This is part of why I am using epoxy to ensure no saltwater gets into the fittings.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

Whats the gate valves for, relieving back pressure or temperature control?

 

[Scooterman]

What are you going to use for the fluid?

 

[danno14]

The valve on each is an inexpensive way to make the maifold stable but not allow flow between. On the lake loop, there will be another "brace" that slides over the poly pipe where it connects to the manifold.

I'm sure that there are many out there with more intelligence than myself who could chime in with easier solutions, but it's all glued now

 

[danno14]

What are you going to use for the fluid?

RO/DI for now. I may switch to pro-glycol if I need to for winter. (don't think I will have to)

The loops are in place and filling. This is in the sump:

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The lake loop is in too, but is about 13' down and my camera doesn't like to get wet.
It's filling now, and I will test-fire in the morning. Dummy me, I should have bought another bag of clamps! I put a fill line with valve and vent line with the same in the sump room. The vent is the highest point in the loop. I also put 4' of clear vinyl from the pump outlet to the Ti loop, so I can "see" the water flow.
Wish me luck!
D

 

[Scooterman]

Looks like it should work out fine, might make your tank too cool

 

[Ed Hahn]

Danno and Luke,
I look forward to seeing this project. Hats off for taking the step forward and sharing it.
My parents have their House cooled like this in Illinois. I know it will work. Scooty may be right on the money. My parents house gets too cold in Summer time with their A/C system. I am sure there is some type of controller though to maintain temps.

 

[danno14]

I am sure there is some type of controller though to maintain temps.

You are correct Ed! I have the pump plugged into a single stage controller set for a 1 degree swing. I will loosen that up (2-3deg) as I become more comfortable with the setup.

I find myself wishing for a hot day
It's been in the 80-90 degree range for the last 4-5 days, and today has decided to be cool. Figures

I didn't design in an effective way to measure all that would be nice to know, but here are a few details:
The water temp after it has passed through the sump exchanger is 70-71f.
The pump is rated at 53w, but draws 65 when it kicks on. Then it drops to 35 while running. (Yah!)
I have not yet measured the time to draw down tank temp, but am planning upon it (2 degrees = X minutes).

The flow is visible through the vinyl tube when the pump is running, and I am glad I added that feature.
I was concerned about trapped air bubbles in the exchangers, and they still may not all have been worked out. A small one makes its way to the bleed-off valve every so often. The flow seems mild but pretty good....and it works
The biggest fear yesterday was the lake loop leaking. It ran from 2am last night and I needed to top off with about 1/2 cup of fresh water. I attribute this to air working its way out.

FWIW, I am calling this system a lake loop geothermal reef tank chiller (words to help the search engines)

That's all for now. D

 

[salmonslayer]

Today is the day. Well is it working . I see sun . I should put a roll of 3/4 polly pipe in my pool and do the same thing( well kinda ). If I could get the pool down to 77 . MaMa likes it on the high side about 82. I kicked the pool heater down a little. See if MaMa notices, it will take a few days to cool down. :shock:.
PS Nice copper job .

 

[plack]

Lucky you having a nice deep lake so close to your house

I resorted to putting an Airconditioner in the wall of the room my tank is in. tHANKFULLY FOR EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS THE FAMILY ROOM SO EVERYONE CAN ENJOY IT ON THE FEW HOT DAYS WE GET HERE. Woops I hit cap's lock sorry.



Paul