DIY Chiller

[Chin_Lee]

Karl and Hightower
that unit looks great and I'm very impressed. I can see something like that being done with my system because my sump is in the basement and its close to an exterior wall. Also I already have a compressor unit that was originally used for a cold water crab holding tank.

few questions:
what kind of refrigeration unit is that?
what would be the HP equivalent?
how much pressure is in the lines?
how much water flow is going through the barrel?
how did you extend the length of the temp probe? (what type of wiring)

Thanks and I'm looking forward to more info on the build.

[KarlK]

Originally Posted by fishface

just outta curiousity...what was the total cost in materials for all this karl?

Because of the eco-friendly use of recycled materials, the total cost comes in at a grand total of $235 for parts. (The 11 or so hours of labour not being counted What friends will do....)

[KarlK]

Originally Posted by rickjames

Looks awesome Karl! I have to say it is the first DIY chiller i have ever seen.

I really know almost nothing about refrigeration, but comparing to the horsepower ratings on the store bought chillers, how much power do you think that system has?

This uses a 1/4 horsepower condensing unit, so we'll call it a 1/4 hp chiller. It works wonderfully. The water leaving the chiller is 4 degrees cooler than the water entering!

[KarlK]

Originally Posted by Chin_Lee

Karl and Hightower
that unit looks great and I'm very impressed. I can see something like that being done with my system because my sump is in the basement and its close to an exterior wall. Also I already have a compressor unit that was originally used for a cold water crab holding tank.

few questions:
what kind of refrigeration unit is that?
what would be the HP equivalent?
how much pressure is in the lines?
how much water flow is going through the barrel?
how did you extend the length of the temp probe? (what type of wiring)

Thanks and I'm looking forward to more info on the build.

That unit meant for a crab tank: Does it have it's own chiller barrel? If not, the lines haven't been just left open to the atmosphere have they?

This is a refrigeration unit from an auto-purger off of the old Trane chiller for Sears at Lougheed Town Centre. I was doing the tear down a while back and it was just going to get tossed, so I scooped it.

As was mentioned, it is a 1/4 HP unit

I am running 35 PSI suction and 145 PSI discharge pressures.

Not sure of the water flow through the barrel. Probably around 200-350 gph. Not really much needed. I needed to make sure that the vapor returning to the compressor was cool enough to cool the windings of the motor.

The probe was extended with plain, old, run-of-the-mill 18 guage thermostat wire.

For more info, just let me know what your looking for. Don't be afraid to speak up!

[Hightower]

This is way cool! Its sweltering hot today with high humidity and no fans are running and the temp remains between 77-78.

I actually thought something was wrong with my tank, because its so quiet.

Great investment, and peace of mind wondering if your tank is running too hot.

Thanks Karl!

[KarlK]

One thing I did notice with the chiller mounted away from the tank is how quiet your tank is now. Your overflow actually seems loud now!!

Remember when we first set up this tank? You were more concerned with heating the tank than keeping it cool! That changed pretty quick, eh?

I'm sure glad it is working for you. I spent all that time working out the calculations of evap size, TXV to use, water flow avaliable, etc... It's sure nice to see it working exactly as I planned. Right down to the proper temperature of suction gas!

One thing that I would like to mention is that if anyone is thinking of doing this (which I suspect everyone is), please do not just vent off the refrigerant from your donor system into the atmosphere. Get it reclaimed properly so you don't contribute to the global warming killing the reefs.

I'll continue to post updates on this thread as I'm sure Hightower will as well.

I am still open to questions from all the people tagging along.

Now I guess I need something else to build

I'm thinking a 1/2 horsepower packaged chiller. Who wants to see that?
Maybe there is some special system that someone wants to see built. I like challenges. Anyone got one for me?

[Flusher]

Originally Posted by KarlK

Maybe there is some special system that someone wants to see built. I like challenges. Anyone got one for me?

Can you make a nano tank chiller?
________
Brunette Cams

[KarlK]

Originally Posted by Flusher

Can you make a nano tank chiller?

Sure. I can scrounge the compressor easily enough and just build the condensor and evaporator. I've got a line on titanium tubing that would work good for that size of system. It is actually ordered and on it's way. It's about 2 weeks away.

What size tank is this for?

[KarlK]

I don't know whether or not I mentioned the flow rate here. It is close to 90gph.

[aussiefishy]

Great thread! I have really learnt alot!

one question i have is that is there a reason why the titanium coil/exchange coil is situated in the barrel instead of the sump itself?

Thanks
Eric