Oil Cooled Computer

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ss4adam

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This is my first post here. Hoping you guys knew more about oil than me.

So i want to make an oil cooled computer. I plan on sinking the components into an aquarium filled with oil (10 gallons) and have a radiator that has the oil pumped through it. What would an alternative to the standard "Mineral Oil" be? Mineral oil is : Non-conductive (this is obviously a must), clear (maybe not a must), Low viscosity (maybe not a must but definitely helps). The problem is that mineral oil is expensive (12 bucks a gallon). anyone know a good alternative?

here is a picture of how most people do it http://cdn.pugetsystems.com/images/submersion/V3/models/full/cooling_new.jpg

Thanks a ton for the help
Adam
 
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Actually, $12/gal is only $3 per quart. Not a bad price. I'd stay away from any oil that has additives. No telling how they would interact with the circuit boards and chips. Plain, clear mineral oil would be your best bet.
 
You may be able to get it down to 1/2 that if you go for a tech grade mineral oil. But if you are over clocking in such a fashion that you need mineral oil cooling $12/gallon is the least of your worries.
 
I was going to say fluoroketone dielectric heat transfer fluid... But that is $$$$
 
Originally Posted By: javacontour
You may be able to get it down to 1/2 that if you go for a tech grade mineral oil. But if you are over clocking in such a fashion that you need mineral oil cooling $12/gallon is the least of your worries.


So true.
 
It can touch the circuitry (depends on the configuration), but military parts have hermetically-sealed packages (ceramic or metal/glass, rather than epoxy). I don't know what the effect would be on consumer junk. Some old radars had high voltage running around. Some circuit boards floated at the high voltage so were in the oil. Everything is going solid state now, though. They used to use a silicate ester called coolanol, but I don't believe it is made anymore. Flowed really well at very low temps.

You can see dielectric oil being used in regular high voltage power transformers for AC power for homes and stuff.
 
Just be sure you have a lid on your aquarium. I read a large article on this once, and had a room mate build one. The problem with any liquid is that it will turn foggy and start to look bad once dust starts to settle in it.

BTW, your standard fans that come on a enclosure work just fine. Just at a slower speed. Also standard aquarium bubble stones and air pumps work well to help circulate oil/coolant. Just keep them away from electronics (like by a few inches) so that the bubbles circulate fluid and not cause hot spots, just like air in low coolant lines in a car.

Actually, the one I saw was built with cheap 10 gallon tank that was given to my room mate for free. But was pretty similar to this.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/12/puget-custom-computers-mineral-oil-cooled-pc/
 
I saw a guy on u tube with his mother board in aquarium with baby oil for cooling. It will at least smell nice.:) Seriously though my first though after seeing these that you will need a filter on there because it will collect dust in the fluid which can be conductive if you use bubbles for circulation or its not sealed.
Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eub39NaC4rc&feature=related

And here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtufuXLvOok

There is more if you look for them.

I wonder how actual automotive coolant would do, 100% mix? It would probably eat the plastic on the board and components. Some type of non conductive dye would look cool with back lighting. Keep us up to date, it's a cool project(pun intended)!

Edit: A Magnefine in line filter would probably work well.
 
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Originally Posted By: 3311


I wonder how actual automotive coolant would do, 100% mix? It would probably eat the plastic on the board and components. Some type of non conductive dye would look cool with back lighting. Keep us up to date, it's a cool project(pun intended)!

Edit: A Magnefine in line filter would probably work well.


Glycol isn't a very good heat transfer fluid.

Not sure why the oil would need a magnetic filter, since dust isn't typically magnetic.

With a consumer pump, pressure drop and flow must also be considered.
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: 3311


I wonder how actual automotive coolant would do, 100% mix? It would probably eat the plastic on the board and components. Some type of non conductive dye would look cool with back lighting. Keep us up to date, it's a cool project(pun intended)!

Edit: A Magnefine in line filter would probably work well.


Glycol isn't a very good heat transfer fluid.

Not sure why the oil would need a magnetic filter, since dust isn't typically magnetic.

With a consumer pump, pressure drop and flow must also be considered.
With regard to heat transfer, it's(glycol)is probably not any worse than mineral oil and certainly better than air, which is what is normally used.
The magnetic portion of the Magnifine probably isn't needed but will not hurt and the simplicity of the Magnfine would certainly outweigh any negatives. It would probably last while in this app as well.

I wonder if atf is conductive? I don't think it is since since most transmissions, if all toady are electrically controlled. ATF would look cool. And Supertech dex/merc can be had for $11.50ish a gallon.
 
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Why not go to a standar dtable of heat capacities, see what liquids have good heat capacities and then try to see which have low toxicity and good heat transfer coefficient?
 
I would if it was my computer we were talking about.:) Since it's not, I'm just offering up some ideas.
 
It's not rated for food service. Many mineral oils are rated for human consumption. You don't need a mineral oil rated for human consumption.

Originally Posted By: ss4adam
what is different about tech grade. thanks for the help
 
This is an old article but a somewhat informative one, they used cooking oil..but recommended motor oil. link follows.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/strip-fans,1203.html

I would look into using some 30weight non detergent engine oil like that accel oil ive seen around
 
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Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I was going to say fluoroketone dielectric heat transfer fluid... But that is $$$$


We used to use that stuff in dip baths for electronics testing at 250F and -55F (aerospace). It was made by 3M and was called fluorinert. It was big bucks and very dense, IIRC 5 gallons weighed around 75 pounds, clear as water. Weird stuff.
 
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