This installment will show you what has to be replaced in
a 5000BTU A/C unit, to convert it to a sub-zero chiller.

The first pic you will see the unit as a whole. It is your
Basic window a/c unit. Look for one with at least a 5000BTU
rating. The quieter the better.

In the next pic you will see the digital control pannel. I will be
keeping this unit intact, so I can control the amount of
Chilling power applied. Based on the coolant co-cktail that
I described last week, control of the evaporator temp will be easier.
I'll have to index the numbers to match the actual temp.
I figure a small price to pay for digital control.

Here is the stock evaporator. The pressure side is on the top.
This is where the condensed refrigerant is introduced into the
evaporator under high pressure. The size and lenght of this line
is engineered to meet the evaporator size.This is also known as the
"HIGH" side.
The suction, or "LOW" side is the bottom line. This is where the refrigerant
that is now a gas, returns to the compressor. This line is under a vaccum
created by the compressor

I will be replacing this evaporator with 10 feet of 3/8"I.D. copper tubing
coiled inside of an acrylic reservoir. The high side will be fed by 110" of .028" cap line. The Suction will consist of 3/8ths inch tubing all the way back
to the compressor. According to the calculations this should result
in a -40C evap. temp...
As soon as I get the reservoir stock and the evap. coiled inside I will get some more pics posted.

Well there you have it, the evaporator exchange program...
ZENNZZO style

Attached Thumbnails

     

     

It's like he's trying to speak to me, I know it!!

Anyway, whatever in the world you're explaining sounds really cool, and I can't wait to see this entire project finished. Because that's probably the only time I'll ever halfway understand it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Psylariser It's like he's trying to speak to me, I know it!! Anyway, whatever in the world you're explaining sounds really cool, and I can't wait to see this entire project finished. Because that's probably the only time I'll ever halfway understand it.

yup, what he said. although, i've got money on you to either develop and exploit cold fusion to run your next rig, or to develop the long sought after infinite improbability drive

now you gotta return the ac unit and say that it felt a little light and it dosnt work, and you want your money back.

How's the Warden like your new project?

I suppose she's used to it by now, I bet you get this look alot>>>

At least this way you can get the temps you want with out freezing her out...Like with that big ol' window duct you had last year

ZENN, are you sure the Acrylic will hold under that stress? Seems like most people go the Copper route.

Also are you going to integrated the evap/res into the AC unit or will it be a stand alone part?

nice... what size reservoir will it be? and are u going to stick w/the capulary tube metering device are use a custom valve design ?

What's your favorite cigar?

BA,
Any Havana seed, domestic growned handrolled will work...
If I reach my goal and do it on the shoestring budget I got, I will have to pass them out...

Quote: Originally Posted by Arkangyl ZENN, are you sure the Acrylic will hold under that stress? Seems like most people go the Copper route. Also are you going to integrated the evap/res into the AC unit or will it be a stand alone part?

Acording to my research polycarbonate has a temperature range of
-145F to 275F or -98.33C to 135C
The end caps will be made of 1/2" thick milled with a 1/4" deep grove and bonded with my proven homegrown adheasive.
After leak testing I will insulate with closed cell neoprene.
Properties of polycarbonate can be seen RIGHT HERE<---------<<<

Quote: Originally Posted by mr.mods nice... what size reservoir will it be? and are u going to stick w/the capulary tube metering device are use a custom valve design ?

I'm looking at a 5" x 12" x .25" clear acrylic hollow rod. The 12" dimension is a variable depending on the coil-ability of the 3/8"I.D. copper.
I have done a bit of research on TEV's and right now I plan on using the captube system.
The R-22 and the proven diameter and length of the captube, should be adequate for now...
That's not to say I will grow tired and tweek a "thermal expansion valve" at a later date...

cool cant wate.... Are you going to try and package this in a large server case or have the unit in a seperet box? I think it would be cool to have high and low side gages mounted in the computer case like on the side or something. Mabbey a litle site glass on the liquid line.

Sounds good ZENN, cant wait to see your res; you've done some great work with acrylic

I am looking to build a cart / testbench to house the chiller and the VapoChill on a lower shelf and the encased motherboard on the top...'ll have a single optical and a RAPTOR as drives on a pannel with the temp gauges and the digital chiller control.

I have a fluxcore 110vt. wire feed so the cart is no problem...

I am however having a diffacult time finding the sub-zero "compunurse" style
single digital temp gauges. gonna need 4 of them.

Just a little time to get fundage, and catch up on some old debts...

wait maybe i didn't read carful enough but whats being done here

After going back though i have a better idea but could someone still explan to me


thanks steromod now I get it!


Links for noobs idiots like my self to find out more!
The concept behind phase change cooling http://www.dwpg.com/content.php?artid=246&orgartid=244
And another Zenn write up on this artical! http://forums.pcapex.com/showthread.php?threadid=18207 one our very own pcapex.com!

phase change cooling, might be time for a google search!

For you zenn!


and something to read for the N00BS
http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=618&s=1

and some explaination and some pics of what hes working on!
http://www.icecoldcomputing.com/index.php