Top radiator question

[hartz_0]

Hi,

 I've built my custom waterloop and I was thinking about moving the rad above my pump/res combo, my question is, won't all the water from the rad just leak out and overflow the res while filling the loop? The output of the rad is linked to the intake of the pump/res.

 

 

[For Science!]

1 hour ago, hartz_0 said:

Hi,

 I've built my custom waterloop and I was thinking about moving the rad above my pump/res combo, my question is, won't all the water from the rad just leak out and overflow the res while filling the loop? The output of the rad is linked to the intake of the pump/res.

 

 

I can’t exactly explain why, but it’s fine.

[Mick Naughty]

Should be fine, all of my rigs use a rad on top. Never had an issue like that. 

 

I think its closer to Pascal's law. The same pressure that would want it to go down and flow into the res, is the same pressure going the other way and pushing back. Saying it that way sounds more like buoyant force though idk.

[thrasher_565]

its probably because it would need a port open on top of the rad to do it. its like poring gas it gose slow in tell you pop the other cap off. but just a guess

[fonzz1e]

it has something to do with pressure, 

 

if water from top rad wants to come down, it first need air to fill its space

 

when I drain my loop from the lowest point, i open the ball valve only a little coolant comes out until I open another stop plug to let air in

[bowrilla]

9 hours ago, fonzz1e said:

it has something to do with pressure, 

 

if water from top rad wants to come down, it first need air to fill its space

This.

 

It obviously depends on the specifics of the loop, but generally without air replacing the water volume, a low pressure zone will be created which will reduce flow and at some point stopping it entirely. In most loops, water will slowly creep in and water will move back but it takes time.

 

You can think of a water bottle turned upside down. With no swirling motion or a separated chanel to let air in, it will be quite blurpy and slow to come out. If you create a vortex via rotation, air does not need to pass through the water in form of bubbles in the process is much faster.

 

It's a similar scenario within a water loop in your pc: small and long tubing entirely filled with water airbubbles would need to pass through in order for the water at the top rad to quickly fall back to the reservoir. This is also why filling your loop is a slow process and usually requires you to fire up your pump several times.