Draining Loops - :D

[DavidS14]

I use a quick disconnect in the lowest part of the loop and then a pipe with a male disconnect on the end to plug in to drain when required. Works well and looks okay as well plus it's easy to fit and doesn't take up much room.

 

[Allnamestaken]

Can you show me a picture of that mate?

I was thinking of doing that as I could just quick disconect at the low point in the loop pull the tubing out of the side of the case then connect the other pipe with the mail fitting and then allow it to flow?

So the male part of the disconect with seperate hosing is just a seperate piece you attach when draining right?

This seems like a much simpler solution then installing a T fitting with other parts.

 

[Silent_Scone]

If using a valve you will actually need to an extra 4 barb/compo fittings to be precise, 3 for the T fitting and one for the female thread on the valve. Don't know of any valves which come with a barb on them by default. Would be cheaper to just use a bung.

Personally I don't like drain lines, they spoil the look of a loop. I drain out of the bleed screw in my rad, with a convenient hole drilled in the bottom of the case. Prior to this I considered siphoning out of the res.

siphoning is a piece of pee Tube in res, squeeze and watch it flow. No fuss.

 

[Addicted]

I don't think it's any great hardship to remove the CPU block then pull a tube off that and drain. Although on saying that.... I can't employ that technique in my new build

Should've maybe thought about that!

You could do that- but you will have to reapply the thermal paste every time.

Tbh you can do it on the cheap, all you need is a T connector, and 2 more fittings with a stopper.

I'd highly recommend you add one, it saves so much time.

 

[DavidS14]

Can you show me a picture of that mate?

I was thinking of doing that as I could just quick disconect at the low point in the loop pull the tubing out of the side of the case then connect the other pipe with the mail fitting and then allow it to flow?

So the male part of the disconect with seperate hosing is just a seperate piece you attach when draining right?

This seems like a much simpler solution then installing a T fitting with other parts.

Spoiler

I just break the bottom QD leaving a male and female connection and then plug in a length of pipe with another male QD on one end and drain into a container. Have to rotate the case a bit if I want to get the coolant out of the bottom rad but no big deal.

 

[Doug2507]

Another vote for a quick disconnect from me. So easy to drain the loop if you fit one at the bottom somewhere. I don't even bother connecting another hose, i just unscrew one of the QD ends and drain into a bucket.

 

[Emjay86]

It isn't necessary as such but it will make your life easier. I started my loop without one and it was a royal pain in the arse to drain the loop. Not only did I constantly have to undo one of the fittings to drain it but it was always a pain not getting the fluid everywhere. The obvious danger here is playing with the fitting. Once you have a loop that doesn't leak its probably a good idea to leave it be, don't poke the bear and all that.

I have since put a 'T' fitting with a simple tube that runs to a tap that I can open to drain and close to... not drain. Its awesome.

However I did think afterwards that I could have easily and probably would have been better if I just bought 1 male and 2 female quick disconnect fittings and whenever I wanted to drain the loop just disconnect the relevant tube and plug in a spare tube connected to the second female connection to drain. The result would be the same as a 'T' but wouldn't restrict flow in anyway due to the loop being consistant in its direction (no 'T' junctions basically) and also look a lot neater. Could also add the functionality of being able to take the component out too if you really wanted to.