My humble loop needs a drain point

[Rasher]

Hi all. I’m in the process of changing my lopp tubing which is only an old xspc rasa setup. Basic and just used to cool the cpu. Thing is I’ve never cleaned it in years and i didn’t incorporate a drain point. Could someone please look at my pic and tell me the best place for a drain point and exactly what fittings I would need ? I’ve no idea about compression fittings as these were all barbs. My new soft tubing is 1/2 ID. 3/4 OD.
Thanks in advance.
https://imgur.com/lzlhw4z

 

[Distracted]

Remove the cpu block from the motherboard and hang it over a bucket or pot away from the electronics. Once it is clear of the electronics and over or in a stable (don’t let it fall over) pot or other suitably sized bucket drain what you can by undoing both fittings on the cpu block. One side should let air into the loop, the other will drain the liquid.

Eventually you’ll have the parts empty enough to remove them, but do be careful, they won’t be completely empty. If the loop is draining slowly you can loosen a fitting that is at the top of the loop to let in air, just make sure you protect components around it with something to absorb spills. The goal is to make sure all the liquid drains out the cpu block tubes. Freeing both of them should do this.

 

[Rasher]

Many thanks Distracted. So you think that’s better than actually cutting the lowest tube and splicing in a drain point ? That’s kinda what Id rather do if pokssible. Just less hassel next time if you know what I mean. Cheers.

 

[Distracted]

Many thanks Distracted. So you think that’s better than actually cutting the lowest tube and splicing in a drain point ? That’s kinda what Id rather do if pokssible. Just less hassel next time if you know what I mean. Cheers.

Sorry, I miss read the question. I was answering ‘how do I drain this without a drain port’. In my defence, it was very late/early and I haven’t slept.
Yeah adding a drain port anywhere at the lowest point in the loop works, obviously this would be better if it’s somewhere easy to access.

This is good info from EK, it shows the basic parts needed.
An alternative is quick disconnects allowing you to disconnect the loop and connect the ends to lengths of tube for drainage. QDCs are probably more expensive (and can restrict flow a bit) but I know people use them for this purpose.

 

[Rasher]

Sorry, I miss read the question. I was answering ‘how do I drain this without a drain port’. In my defence, it was very late/early and I haven’t slept.
Yeah adding a drain port anywhere at the lowest point in the loop works, obviously this would be better if it’s somewhere easy to access.

This is good info from EK, it shows the basic parts needed.
An alternative is quick disconnects allowing you to disconnect the loop and connect the ends to lengths of tube for drainage. QDCs are probably more expensive (and can restrict flow a bit) but I know people use them for this purpose.

Thanjs again distracted if you see the pic I posted I’m just worried that a bulky drain valve hanging in middle of the case won’t look very pleasing. I have no tubing anywhere near the bottom so maybe QR is the way forward. Thanks again.

 

[Distracted]

Thanjs again distracted if you see the pic I posted I’m just worried that a bulky drain valve hanging in middle of the case won’t look very pleasing. I have no tubing anywhere near the bottom so maybe QR is the way forward. Thanks again.

I used quick disconnects in the past myself and they were great, I would certainly use them again in the future. I recommend avoiding Barrow for this since my own experience with them was poor. They were of poor quality and the flow rate was terrible, but there are some good ones out there.

 

[Rasher]

I used quick disconnects in the past myself and they were great, I would certainly use them again in the future. I recommend avoiding Barrow for this since my own experience with them was poor. They were of poor quality and the flow rate was terrible, but there are some good ones out there.

Thanks. So where do the QD fit to ? Remembering that every port on this kit is barbs ? Where would I put the disconnect exactly ? Sorry for the basic questions I haven’t that much experience in water cooling.

 

[Drumroll]

The front bay reservoir (if I'm not going crazy and imaging things) should have a drain port, usually blanked. If not, the lowest port, Y connection + ball valve.

 

[WantoN]

A set of QDCs would let you swap in a drain valve and an air inlet. I'd put it in the middle of the lowest tube, that way you've got some length to put one end in a bucket, and raise the other above the loop to let air in.

To be honest, there's no good place as it's a relatively parallel loop and will invariably require some tipping and shaking. I probably wouldn't bother, unless as @MrPotato says, there's a spare port on the bay res. In which case you could just tip it on it's front, but you'll still likely struggle to get a drain without an air inlet.

I'd be just removing the block (you should be anyway, to repaste and check it) and lowering it into a bucket, then raising one of the open connectors to let air in from above the loop if possible.

 

[Kaapstad]

Thanks. So where do the QD fit to ? Remembering that every port on this kit is barbs ? Where would I put the disconnect exactly ? Sorry for the basic questions I haven’t that much experience in water cooling.

I use QD on all the major components as it makes maintenance/upgrading easy.

If you are only going to use a couple then on the CPU block in and out work quite well and give you the option of attaching draining tubes.

 

[Distracted]

I would put it anywhere you like that is accessible. All you want to be able to do is use the QDC to break the loop (without leakage) and then attach a length of hose to the QDCs to drain and let air into the loop.

Both WantoN and Kaapstad have good suggestions.

 

[WantoN]

To be clear, get a QDC with G1/4 connectors if you want to screw a barb into one end to fit to the Res. You'd fit an appropriate compression fitting to the other.

If you want to swap in a drain valve or length of tubing, you'll need another set of QDCs (another malr and female) plus whatever connections you want on the other end.