Best way to test new parts?

LuckyBenski · 13 Oct 2018 at 10:28

I have some less than top quality parts in my spares box, such as reservoirs, and I've got to thinking: When something is new, but cheap, how does one test it to be confident it's OK?

I saw some tube reservoirs from China that are very cheap but you'd think a simple res would be easy to seal. So how would you test it before putting it in a loop?

Is pressure a good test of water tightness? Would it demonstrate its reliability (or lack of) if I pumped some air / water into it?

Any other suggestions?

bigjimmyauk · 13 Oct 2018 at 10:55

I've got a 5amp power supply from Maplin (poor shop used to love that place) 2 croc clips on the end. I basically set the loop up outside the case in the kitchen. Pump rads gpu and CPU block and just leave it running overnight. It's also mega handy because at the same time you can flush and drain into the sink with minimal fuss and make sure nothing is going to come out the rad once the loop is installed.

Ps do not use mains pressure water to test any waterblock or reservoirs. It's enough to split the seals or at worst crack the block according to EK

LuckyBenski · 13 Oct 2018 at 11:03

Good point about the flush - I'd always flush radiators at the least so would probably end up using the reservoir for that.

And good to know about mains water - I've heard of using it on radiators but sounds far too fiddly and messy for me, much prefer to take my time!

bigjimmyauk · 13 Oct 2018 at 11:11

LuckyBenski said:
Good point about the flush - I'd always flush radiators at the least so would probably end up using the reservoir for that.

And good to know about mains water - I've heard of using it on radiators but sounds far too fiddly and messy for me, much prefer to take my time!

Well this time I'm going to use the mayhems blitz kit then flush it with some deionized. Then I'll set up the rad res and pump stick a filter in there and run it.

Edging on the side of caution this time as the last time I did a loop some crap came out the rad and ended up in the jet plate of the cpu block.

chilipeppersc · 14 Oct 2018 at 19:16

I have a spare PSU which I use the paperclip trick to power on. I then have a small woodwork test bench I attach things to and run them.