Hot weather is coming, re on chiller

[Greg Moore]

For those that havn't seen it last summer, the chiller is still going strong and the controler has yet to miss a beat. Been holding the tank at 79F +/- 0.5 all year.

For those on a severe budget that think they may need emergency cooling this summer, the chiller can be used manually as required, cost to build it for this purpose would be under $30cdn.

You are only applicable for it if you are in a house and if your tap water is at least cool (less then 60F all summer). Simple to make.... Pictures here, if anyone is more interested, ask and I will give more detailed info. For the controller however, I suggest DIY people with decent electronics background, for the chiller, if you plumbed your own aquarium, you can build the chiller portion...

http://www3.sympatico.ca/gdm/t4.htm
Greg Moore

[cavediver]

Hi Greg,
I would be interested in learning more about your chiller setup. I just finished adding 3 400W MH's to my new 180's hood. After being on for the day the tank temp is pushing 88!!. I have the room AC set at about 77. I don't have to pay for water in my building (everything esle though) so a heat exchanger type system (guessing), would work out well for me.
Please let me know some details, (even pics would be great) of your system.

Thanks,

John

[StirCrazy]

Greg, do you have to run water to cool the tank with that one?

I am working on a DIY chiller that used a fridge compressor and other parts. it will not be a DIY bar fridge type but rather a actualy chiller.. I don't want to post to much till I start getting some testing done and a prototype made though.

Steve

[Greg Moore]

Cavediver
Send me your address and I will forward a message I sent to someone else, lengthy thing to cover in an open forum, but it will probably work for you (even if you have to pay for water, typical cost makes it cheaper then the hydro used to run a chiller).

Stircrazy
Yes, it uses a heat exchanger bases with cold tap water as the energy source. Just a note of caution, simply because so many have tried a freon based chiller. It takes a _lot_ more BTU then most expect. Typically in the window-air size compressor which is many times higher in BTU then even a deep freeze.

Not that I use it, but at peaks (living room at 80+F, fulling lighting on, no fan running) the water equates to about 25 gallons a day which is 5 typical toilet flush's. My math may be off, but to equal that, you would almost need to be able to freeze 5 jerry cans a day. The incoming water is at about 55, the outflow is at 75, this means it is absorbing 20F, 25 gallon and a 20F temp change, to me means the chiller would have to be capable of taking that same 55F water and dropping it 20F, damn near freezing 5 full size gas cans a day.

Might be worth doing some $/gallon costs vs $/kilowatt costs. On a comparitive, we use less water through the chiller then we do in 1 hour or so of lawn watering..

Greg Moore

[StirCrazy]

Originally posted by Greg Moore
Just a note of caution, simply because so many have tried a freon based chiller. It takes a _lot_ more BTU then most expect.

yup I am totaly aware of this as refrigeration is a big part of my job, I am basing my prototype on a unit that will lower the temp of 150 gal of water 15 degrees below ambiant temp.

the reason for this amount well I figure I have about 130 gal of water in my tank hehe so as you can guess the prototype is going to be my keeper.

the design is going to be based on a sweetwater cooling set up or a simple tube in tube type heat exchanger.. i have to do some tests with both methods at work to see what works the best.

Steve

[Greg Moore]

Just don't get as nuts as I did with DIY.. Since you know AC, I won't say more then..
1993 Pontiac Bonniville
R12
$1350 estimated repair.
$3.50 of propane
beautifully cold air from the vents for 3 months now :)

Greg Moore
It's amazing what you can learn from the net!

[StirCrazy]

hehee ya Propane is pretty good but a little explosive for my liking :D

I am looking at a way to get a chiller cheeper.. I am shooting for 1/2 the price of buying one or cheeper. and sence they are 1100.00 for a 1.5th hp one I will be happy if I can get in under 500.00 which shouldent be a problem.. this 5 gal of evaporation a day to keep my tank at 84 or less sucks LOL. also my time frame isn't fast.. I want to have the chiller in and working good befor next summer as I don't want a rushed job.

Steve

[cavediver]

Greg,
I'd appreciate the info, please forward the e-mail to
johnhuggett@rogers.com

Thanks!

[Dman]

you can add derekmcg@yahoo.com to that cc list, really would appreciate it

[tang_man]

Hi Greg,

I'm new here, although I would also be very interested in having more information regarding your chiller setup.

Here's my email: vbernesi@hotmail.com

THanks!!

Vince