Water anti-freeze

[jester]

How much of a difference can diff antifreeze make in temps? Ive "heard" Prestone for cars works well, any opinions on that?

[privatedonut21]

Just judging from the sound of it, that would seem counter-intuitive. Anti-freeze serves a different purpose than cooling, it simply lowers the freezing temperature of the water causing it to not freeze. So I would think that it wouldn't have a significant drop in temps...

Of course, I don't know the thermal properties of Prestone, so it could work. I wouldn't know...

[captses]

That is a good question. I agree with private on the anti freezing properties but I also think that there is the possibility that heat transfer rates are high with anti-freeze. I think that one would also need to consider the disposal of antifreeze over the many bio-degradable cooling options for computers. Good question to investigate though.

[jester]

Yea I should have re worded the ?. Whats the best Additive to use & how much does it make a diff.

I searched a little but diddnt come up with too much.

[silenze]

Redline water wetter is supposed to work great as well.

They're not only supposed to improve the thermal-transfer of the coolant, they provide rust and corrosion protection too.


Redline water wetter:

Doubles the wetting ability of water
Improves heat transfer
Reduces rust, corrosion and electrolysis of all metals
Provides long term corrosion protection
Cleans and lubricates water pump seals
Prevents foaming
Reduces cavitation corrosion
Complexes with hard water to reduce scale

I haven't noticed a difference between Hydrx and distilled water... if I was goin to keep my loop together for an extended period of time I would use something like the Redline water wetter, but since it's apart often I just use distilled. If I was going to chill my water, I would definitely use an additive to reduce the freezing temperature, I've heard of some people using Vodka for this.. :lol:

[captses]

Jester this is what I found.

http://www.chem.umd.edu/Resources/chemnow/CN_antifreeze.pdf
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1046060

It seems that if you are to use AF then very little will be needed. From what I gather it is a good solution because it has algae prevention, raise boiling point, it is colored, and cheaper than the solutions you buy for a H20 system. The only down side I see is the disposal of the toxic stuff. I hope this helps.

[privatedonut21]

I haven't noticed a difference between Hydrx and distilled water... if I was goin to keep my loop together for an extended period of time I would use something like the Redline water wetter, but since it's apart often I just use distilled. If I was going to chill my water, I would definitely use an additive to reduce the freezing temperature, I've heard of some people using Vodka for this.. :lol:

Surely there must be something more cost effective than vodka! Wouldn't want to go wasting it now would we?

[silenze]

I haven't noticed a difference between Hydrx and distilled water... if I was goin to keep my loop together for an extended period of time I would use something like the Redline water wetter, but since it's apart often I just use distilled. If I was going to chill my water, I would definitely use an additive to reduce the freezing temperature, I've heard of some people using Vodka for this.. :lol:

Surely there must be something more cost effective than vodka! Wouldn't want to go wasting it now would we?

Silenze + Alcohol = :vomit:

[Bio-Hazard]

If you have a full copper system (no aluminum) then all you need is approx a 5% mix if distilled water and AF, mainly to keep things from growing in the water. If you have a larger % of mixed metals in your cooling loop, you'll need a higher % of AF in the loop. Some companies recomend as high as a 30% mix (old Corsair HydroCool) due to the aluminum radiator and res........ 8)

[greenmaji]

Ok.. the thermal properties of pure H20 (distilled water have you) are going to be VERY hard to beat as far as cooling is conserned.

anitfreeze (~5%) and a drop or two of iodine are used to ward off alage growth and catilitic reactions (that shouldn't be a problem if you chose like metals in the first place for your loop)

leave the alchol for the chillers ;)

[Bio-Hazard]

You don't need to add iodine when you use AF, ............... :wink: AF keeps he stuff from growing just fine, just like in your cars cooling system, it's alcohol based.

PC Water Coolant Chemistry - Part I

http://www.overclockers.com/articles993/

PC Water Coolant Chemistry - Part II

http://www.overclockers.com/tips1153/

[greenmaji]

HAHA.. dont make me read OcF's stickies again!! LOL

yea.. iodine is used in distilled water loops (no anti-freeze)..

the watercooling section gives me a headache ROFL.. give me phase ;)

[jester]

Thanks for the reply silenze, I think Ill be trying redline since mine doesnt get takin apart too often. :wink:

I actually seen those 2 articles Bio, didnt really give me the answer I was looking for all though does give a lot of good info.

Water cooling has 5 basic compents & I wont even bother counting how many are in a phase-change setup. If that gives you a headache read some in depth documentation on phase change & im sure itll leave your head spinning for a couple of weeks.