Thoughts on topping up an AIO?

[TrigrH]

My AIO has two G/14 threads on the rad side only. (figured id mention it first line in inb4 saying you cant fill a sealed AIO)

 

I have the block/pump at the top of my loop and I suspect a shorter life without any intervention.

 

Is this all I will need to topup the loop? 

 

Am I missing anything (other than a tube)? What would be the best process to do this?

 

Build photo: 

 

[TheNaitsyrk]

12 minutes ago, TrigrH said:

My AIO has two G/14 threads on the rad side only. (figured id mention it first line in inb4 saying you cant fill a sealed AIO)

 

I have the block/pump at the top of my loop and I suspect a shorter life without any intervention.

 

Is this all I will need to topup the loop? 

 

Am I missing anything (other than a tube)? What would be the best process to do this?

 

Build photo: 

 

Yeah with your rad being at the bottom you'll kill your AIO quickly. Topping up won't really help because permeation is gonna do it's thing. Plus you won't be able to completely remove the bubbles. They can do it at the factory (GamersNexus CoolerMaster factory tour) and they said it costs too much money etc.

[Kilrah]

Yup that bottom mounting is just not an option, top up or not. Regardless of how small the bubble is it'll always going to go to the pump.

[For Science!]

But to address the original question, yes, that would be the components to fill the loop.

[TrigrH]

2 minutes ago, For Science! said:

But to address the original question, yes, that would be the components to fill the loop.

Whats the best way to do it? jump start the pump? or just fill the drain tube with the valve open?

[For Science!]

Just now, TrigrH said:

Whats the best way to do it? jump start the pump? or just fill the drain tube with the valve open?

These pumps have really bad flow rates, so you would need to externally power it, shake, fill, shake, fill. I don't think you can move the air around just by the power of the pump alone.

[Lipe123]

5 hours ago, TrigrH said:

My AIO has two G/14 threads on the rad side only.

Bro how about this, instead of just using those to fill the aio, add a reservoir and now you have a much easier way to get air out of the system and monitor the level.

[TrigrH]

14 hours ago, Lipe123 said:

Bro how about this, instead of just using those to fill the aio, add a reservoir and now you have a much easier way to get air out of the system and monitor the level.

What fittings and parts would i need? and where would you place the radiator?

[HerrKaLeu]

You kind of convert an AIO to a custom loop....

 

No matter what, the pump needs to be primed with liquid. And where you have it located will be air. an AIO will always have some air (required for expansion, and over time water will permeate). Manufacturers aim for 2-10% when new. 

 

Maybe the moon grows in size and reverses gravity on Earth, then your setup will work well and air will be in the radiator instead the pump. 

[Lipe123]

7 hours ago, TrigrH said:

What fittings and parts would i need? and where would you place the radiator?

For placement I'd try and put it with your SSD's but I'm not familiar with that case, would it be possible to move them over so they are in a tighter group?

Or alternatively it can be below them right by the edge of the radiator.

 

For the "run" you need to take the pump inlet pipe from the rad and connect that to the new res with the existing fitting. Then all you need is probably a 90 degree rotary fitting to connect the res directly to the radiator and that will also help support the res. This way you won't need any tubing runs and it would look cleaner. 

It would still take some force to get the pump initially primed since the res will be lower but after the first time things should sort themselves out.

 

For a res you just want something small like this https://modmymods.com/watercool-heatkillerr-tube-100-ddc-30206-5359.html , that one is stupid pricey though but just an idea.