Noob custom loop question [filling]

[Virgule]

Hey guys,

 

I'm planning my first water cooling loop and I have read quite a bit. I have a good idea of the parts I need and the general how-to.

 

My setup would be something like this :

 

 

One thing I can't quite understand is when you fill your loop (by adding water in the res and turning on the pump briefly to circulate that water further, then repeating), don't you simply end up having a end water level equal to the level of your reservoir ? This would mean in my setup that the gpu and cpu blocks are dry when the pump is not in function. I get that the pump might restrict the water of coming back in the reservoir (if it's a positive displacement pump) but these pumps are simple centrifugal pumps so water is free to return in the reservoir at rest and empty out from rad and blocks. I need enlightenment. 

[samcool55]

1 word: Archimedes! Well i think... When the loop is completely filled, it won't drain into the rad when the pump stops. The physics behind is quite complicated but to keep it simple.

Unless the top of the loop is 10m higher (or something like that) than the res, there won't become a vacuum so there's nothing to worry about that.

So in your case, the res is well about 1m lower than the top of the rad? Then there's no vacuum and if the loop wants to drain, the removed water has to be replaced with air. Which isn't possible because the air just can't push hard enough into to water to get into the loop. 

 

Quite complicated but easy said: thrust physics because the loop won't drain because there's magic going on (pressures that just exist on earth thanks to gravity, that causes it to stay where it is)

[Virgule]

1 word: Archimedes! Well i think... When the loop is completely filled, it won't drain into the rad when the pump stops. The physics behind is quite complicated but to keep it simple.

Unless the top of the loop is 10m higher (or something like that) than the res, there won't become a vacuum so there's nothing to worry about that.

So in your case, the res is well about 1m lower than the top of the rad? Then there's no vacuum and if the loop wants to drain, the removed water has to be replaced with air. Which isn't possible because the air just can't push hard enough into to water to get into the loop. 

 

Quite complicated but easy said: thrust physics because the loop won't drain because there's magic going on (pressures that just exist on earth thanks to gravity, that causes it to stay where it is)

No link with Archimedes here (source : trust me I'm an engineer....that can't figure this out) . I get that if you fill a straw with water and block the top with your thumb, water won't drain out of it. However, widen the straw and comes a point where water will drain. I thought this would have been the case here.

 

Yes, res is lower than rad. I plan on using 3/8 - 1/2 tubing.

[samcool55]

No link with Archimedes here (source : trust me I'm an engineer....that can't figure this out) . I get that if you fill a straw with water and block the top with your thumb, water won't drain out of it. However, widen the straw and comes a point where water will drain. I thought this would have been the case here.

 

Yes, res is lower than rad. I plan on using 3/8 - 1/2 tubing.

Doesn't matter with such small sizes. It won't drain when it's still that small. And btw if you are an engineer. Why are you worried about this? You should know then that using such small tubing should be fine.

[Virgule]

Doesn't matter with such small sizes. It won't drain when it's still that small. And btw if you are an engineer. Why are you worried about this? You should know then that using such small tubing should be fine.

 

Well, no. I am not sure at which exact diameter surface area is wide enough for water to fall letting air up. 

 

I'm worried because if I have a small enough res and my problem arises, then pump will start, water will fill blocks and rad and before coming back to the res it will have emptied out making the pump run dry. That's why I'm worried.

[samcool55]

Well, no. I am not sure at which exact diameter surface area is wide enough for water to fall letting air up. 

 

I'm worried because if I have a small enough res and my problem arises, pump will start, fill blocks and rad and before coming back to the res it will have emptied out and the pump will run dry. That's why I'm worried.

When you are filling, you will fill the rad, let the pump cycle until it's close to empty (never let the rad get 100% empty) fill it again, and keep cycling until there's enough water in it until it completely loops without the pump running dry, you don't need to worry about all the water coming back into the rad when you are starting to fill it. There will come back a bit of water but it will be fine. The water will get for the biggest part stuck in tubes and blocks. There's nothing to worry about, if you do it careful and patiently it will be ok. 

[Virgule]

When you are filling, you will fill the rad, let the pump cycle until it's close to empty (never let the rad get 100% empty) fill it again, and keep cycling until there's enough water in it until it completely loops without the pump running dry, you don't need to worry about all the water coming back into the rad when you are starting to fill it. There will come back a bit of water but it will be fine. The water will get for the biggest part stuck in tubes and blocks. There's nothing to worry about, if you do it careful and patiently it will be ok. 

By rad you mean res ?

 

If yes, yeah this technique is what I read about/seen and I just wanted to make sure.

[samcool55]

By rad you mean res ?

 

If yes, yeah this technique is what I read about/seen and I just wanted to make sure.

Yes, i mean filling the res lol my bad, but you really don't need to worry, just be patient and careful and it will all be fine, Of course check for leaks!