Need advice on DIY Reservoir ?

samualt · 09-January-05, 11:30 PM

What I thought would look cool is a reservoir made out of an aluminum bottle like the:

Maxam Aluminum Sports Water Bottle with clip, holds .5 liter of liquid. Bottle height is 7-1/2, diameter at base is 2-7/8. Less than $10 most everywhere.

I figured aluminum would dissipate heat faster and give a nice metallic pimped-out look. I figure just drill two holes in the bottom and epoxy the barbs (hose fittings) to it. I plan on it being an external tank. Does anyone know of a reason I shouldn't do it? I'm a noob at WC and just want to make sure I'm going in the right direction. Thanks for any info!

Enko · 09-January-05, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samualt


	What I thought would look cool is a reservoir made out of an aluminum bottle like the: Maxam Aluminum Sports Water Bottle with clip, holds .5 liter of liquid. Bottle height is 7-1/2, diameter at base is 2-7/8. Less than $10 most everywhere. I figured aluminum would dissipate heat faster and give a nice metallic pimped-out look. I figure just drill two holes in the bottom and epoxy the barbs (hose fittings) to it. I plan on it being an external tank. Does anyone know of a reason I shouldn't do it? I'm a noob at WC and just want to make sure I'm going in the right direction. Thanks for any info!

well the reservoir isn't really meant to dissipate heat but i guess every little bit helps . ..

as long as you can get it to be a clean enough hole that it can be made watertight there's not really any reason why you shouldn't. though if it is going to be external then you're going to have to have some place on your case drilled to have the tubes come out of.

putwig · 09-January-05, 11:51 PM

Is the bottle insulated or just raw aluminum inside?

Also, epoxy should never be used to seal a joint that need to be water tight. It cracks and shatters with stress. After a couple hose changes it will leak ...... bien der dun dat.

You can use JB Weld (a much more durable two part epoxy) which can be painted or sharpie markered for aesthetics.

Plumber's Goop would also work. It is a mutant hybrid of crazy glue and silicon that dries clear. The most useful thing in my toolbox.

Enko · 09-January-05, 11:54 PM

oh right, if its raw aluminum inside you're going to be mixing metals in the water loop since you're going to have copper waterblocks. wierd stuff happens when you do that. i haven't experienced it since i don't mix metals in my own loops but i'm sure someone else on here can tell you what happens

ZENNZZO · 10-January-05, 12:01 AM

yup it's called electrolosis, aluminum and copper add water and soon you have a battery...not good in the loop...

putwig · 10-January-05, 12:03 AM

The weird stuff would be corrosion. Over time this will trash your gear, and add to the ion counts in your distilled water. It can also cause severe gunkosis of your water block and rad.

It isn't super critical if coolant is chosen wisely, but it is something to consider.

AntiM · 10-January-05, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enko


	oh right, if its raw aluminum inside you're going to be mixing metals in the water loop since you're going to have copper waterblocks. wierd stuff happens when you do that. i haven't experienced it since i don't mix metals in my own loops but i'm sure someone else on here can tell you what happens

It's called galvanic corrosion. Basically in the presense of an electrolyte dissimiliar metals will act as anodes and cathodes. A battery. The less noble metal will corrode at a greater rate...in this case aluminum.

Anodizing will help, the bottle is probably anodized. Corrosion inhibiters will help, I.E. antifreeze, water wetter. Changing distilled water on a regular basis will prevent it. It's not a big problem if you do things right. Use tap water or don't change out distilled water and it could get messy over time.

Edit: Holy simultaneous posting Batman! I forgot the scientific term was Gunkosis...my bad.

putwig · 10-January-05, 12:13 AM

Wow, between the three of us we almost know something. That was positively uncanny.

samualt · 10-January-05, 05:37 PM

Hmmm, I don't want even the possibility of corrosion like that. I figure a reservoir has three objectives:
1. Make it easy to fill up, keep bubbles out, with unrestrictive flow.
2. Help dissipate heat.
3. Low maintenance.

So, new idea:
I will use a copper pipe 3" in diameter and about 6" tall. The bottom will just be a copper plate but I'm not sure what I'll use for a top. I'll also slap an "Oil Filter Cooler" on it. The Oil Filter Cooler is just a big cylinder with fins. I know it won't make a great heatsink, but it will make an OK heatsink and look pretty cool. The thing should be industructable as well. It ain't easy being cheesy!

Enko · 10-January-05, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samualt


	Hmmm, I don't want even the possibility of corrosion like that. I figure a reservoir has three objectives: 1. Make it easy to fill up, keep bubbles out, with unrestrictive flow. 2. Help dissipate heat. 3. Low maintenance. So, new idea: I will use a copper pipe 3" in diameter and about 6" tall. The bottom will just be a copper plate but I'm not sure what I'll use for a top. I'll also slap an "Oil Filter Cooler" on it. The Oil Filter Cooler is just a big cylinder with fins. I know it won't make a great heatsink, but it will make an OK heatsink and look pretty cool. The thing should be industructable as well. It ain't easy being cheesy!

the reservoir isn't meant to dissipate heat. that's the job of the radiator. using a metal reservoir will probably get rid of a small amount of heat but it will be so small that the effect will be negligible

Wordbiker · 10-January-05, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enko


	the reservoir isn't meant to dissipate heat. that's the job of the radiator. using a metal reservoir will probably get rid of a small amount of heat but it will be so small that the effect will be negligible

Unless you're talking about a Zalman Reserator.

I say...why not? Make it as large as you can, with as much surface area as possible. I agree with Enko that the heat dissipation will more than likely be negligable, but if you like the looks and it holds water....why not? It's just a creative shape for a simple water tank. That oil cooler looks good to me, and answers my question about how to mount it. Now the only question is where.

FizzledFiend · 11-January-05, 10:00 PM

not very prety, but this is what can be done with PVC this baby will hold a gallon of water and was made for less than 15 bucks. everything is glued together or screwed together...be imaginative with your res.

lAnonymousl · 12-January-05, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samualt


	Hmmm, I don't want even the possibility of corrosion like that. I figure a reservoir has three objectives: 1. Make it easy to fill up, keep bubbles out, with unrestrictive flow. 2. Help dissipate heat. 3. Low maintenance. So, new idea: I will use a copper pipe 3" in diameter and about 6" tall. The bottom will just be a copper plate but I'm not sure what I'll use for a top. I'll also slap an "Oil Filter Cooler" on it. The Oil Filter Cooler is just a big cylinder with fins. I know it won't make a great heatsink, but it will make an OK heatsink and look pretty cool. The thing should be industructable as well. It ain't easy being cheesy!

A reservoir serves as an air trap and makes maintenance easier. That's about it. Also, reread the title of that auction and then this thread. The thing won't make an inkling of a difference temperature-wise but introduces a variable into your loop that you really want to avoid, even if it is anodized. Is the bling worth it?

Wordbiker · 15-January-05, 03:13 PM

I found this res by Mitron/Noise Isolator, and thought it might save some modding time as it seems pretty much what you were going for.

Also, I thought this Thermaltake Water Level Indicator would match in nicely with it.

09-January-05, 11:30 PM		#1 (permalink)
samualt Apex Techie Wannabe	Need advice on DIY Reservoir ? What I thought would look cool is a reservoir made out of an aluminum bottle like the: Maxam Aluminum Sports Water Bottle with clip, holds .5 liter of liquid. Bottle height is 7-1/2, diameter at base is 2-7/8. Less than $10 most everywhere. I figured aluminum would dissipate heat faster and give a nice metallic pimped-out look. I figure just drill two holes in the bottom and epoxy the barbs (hose fittings) to it. I plan on it being an external tank. Does anyone know of a reason I shouldn't do it? I'm a noob at WC and just want to make sure I'm going in the right direction. Thanks for any info!

11-January-05, 10:00 PM		#12 (permalink)
FizzledFiend Apex Master Tech	not very prety, but this is what can be done with PVC this baby will hold a gallon of water and was made for less than 15 bucks. everything is glued together or screwed together...be imaginative with your res. Attached Thumbnails

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09-January-05, 11:51 PM		#3 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	Is the bottle insulated or just raw aluminum inside? Also, epoxy should never be used to seal a joint that need to be water tight. It cracks and shatters with stress. After a couple hose changes it will leak ...... bien der dun dat. You can use JB Weld (a much more durable two part epoxy) which can be painted or sharpie markered for aesthetics. Plumber's Goop would also work. It is a mutant hybrid of crazy glue and silicon that dries clear. The most useful thing in my toolbox.

09-January-05, 11:54 PM		#4 (permalink)
Enko Apex Tech God	oh right, if its raw aluminum inside you're going to be mixing metals in the water loop since you're going to have copper waterblocks. wierd stuff happens when you do that. i haven't experienced it since i don't mix metals in my own loops but i'm sure someone else on here can tell you what happens

10-January-05, 12:01 AM		#5 (permalink)
ZENNZZO Direct Cool Hoe	yup it's called electrolosis, aluminum and copper add water and soon you have a battery...not good in the loop...

10-January-05, 12:03 AM		#6 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	The weird stuff would be corrosion. Over time this will trash your gear, and add to the ion counts in your distilled water. It can also cause severe gunkosis of your water block and rad. It isn't super critical if coolant is chosen wisely, but it is something to consider.

10-January-05, 12:13 AM		#8 (permalink)
putwig Dr. Hydro Pimp	Wow, between the three of us we almost know something. That was positively uncanny.

10-January-05, 05:37 PM		#9 (permalink)
samualt Apex Techie Wannabe	Hmmm, I don't want even the possibility of corrosion like that. I figure a reservoir has three objectives: 1. Make it easy to fill up, keep bubbles out, with unrestrictive flow. 2. Help dissipate heat. 3. Low maintenance. So, new idea: I will use a copper pipe 3" in diameter and about 6" tall. The bottom will just be a copper plate but I'm not sure what I'll use for a top. I'll also slap an "Oil Filter Cooler" on it. The Oil Filter Cooler is just a big cylinder with fins. I know it won't make a great heatsink, but it will make an OK heatsink and look pretty cool. The thing should be industructable as well. It ain't easy being cheesy!

15-January-05, 03:13 PM		#14 (permalink)
Wordbiker Apex Tech God	I found this res by Mitron/Noise Isolator, and thought it might save some modding time as it seems pretty much what you were going for. Also, I thought this Thermaltake Water Level Indicator would match in nicely with it.