Filling a water loop

Vertigo

Vertigo

Vertigo

Soldato
Joined
28 Dec 2003
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Right, I've got all the bits I need (I think!) but I'm still unclear on the best way of actually filling the loop as I'm a noob at this.

I've only got a smallish res (Swiftech micro) so even if I fill this to the top, as soon as the pump starts it's going to empty at an alarming rate and I can't see how on earth I'm going to keep it topped up with fluid fast enough to stop the pump sucking on air.

What am I missing?
 
Vertigo1 said:
Right, I've got all the bits I need (I think!) but I'm still unclear on the best way of actually filling the loop as I'm a noob at this.

I've only got a smallish res (Swiftech micro) so even if I fill this to the top, as soon as the pump starts it's going to empty at an alarming rate and I can't see how on earth I'm going to keep it topped up with fluid fast enough to stop the pump sucking on air.

What am I missing?
Click to expand...

Are you "shorting" ( Green/black wire) the PSU ?

This sends no power to the mobo/components and is fine.

Its just a simple process of fill and repeat ( don't let the pump run dry ) and the air locks will move back to the res. and gradually fill the loop.

Mark
 
Use a watering can (clean). Stick a funnel on the res (or fillport if you have one) and just keep that bad boy flowing!
 
mrdbristol: are you saying to fill the res, then power the pump for a short time to lower the res level, then top up, then power the pump and repeat this until the system is full? I presume I'm going to have to short the PSU to power the pump, don't see any other way tbh. Will the PSU only provide power to the pump as long as the pins are shorted?

Dampcat: you seem to be suggesting letting the pump run and filling the res with a constant stream of fluid, yes? How fast is the res likely to empty? I'm using a Laing DDC 18w pump.
 
Vertigo1 said:
mrdbristol: are you saying to fill the res, then power the pump for a short time to lower the res level, then top up, then power the pump and repeat this until the system is full? I presume I'm going to have to short the PSU to power the pump, don't see any other way tbh. Will the PSU only provide power to the pump as long as the pins are shorted?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Shorting the PSU will make the PSU "think" its connected to a mobo.

This way you will not supply power to the rest of your components , only the pump.

Fill / stop / refill / repeat.

Takes a bit of time , but as soon as the loop is filled , you will notice.

Mark
 
fill the loop outside of the case if you can, this will allow you to tilt the loop and get air locks out, if not, watch out for leaking barbs and have the kitchen roll at hand.
 
mrdbristol said:
Are you "shorting" ( Green/black wire) the PSU ?

This sends no power to the mobo/components and is fine.

Its just a simple process of fill and repeat ( don't let the pump run dry ) and the air locks will move back to the res. and gradually fill the loop.

Mark
Click to expand...

Assuming there is nothing else other than the pump is connected to the psu then this method will be fine, i keep a cheapo generic psu just for the purpose of powering the pump when priming the water cooling in my systems, once it is full leave it powered up for as long as you feel necessary (at least a few hours) to ensure there are no leaks then power the generic psu down and connect the pump to the psu in the pc.

To fill the system just "blip" the power on and off for a couple seconds at a time to fill it up then top up as the air works its way round the loop.
 
Thanks guys.

Would you recommend building the loop away from the main components, i.e. with the CPU and GFX blocks not attached to the socket and card respectively, then attaching them afterward?

I can see that this would be beneficial in allowing the loop to be articulated to get rid of any last air locks and would also be better if there happened to be a leak but I'm sure it'd be a bit tricky to fit the blocks to the socket and card when they're attached to a completely filled loop, not to mention the possibility of a hose coming off a barb whilst you're trying to fit a block.
 
I leak test installed in the case , and only for a couple of hours.

I've fitted water cooling enough times to know where the leaks will come from.

The decision is yours :)

Mark
 
my personal recomendation is to fully asemble the parts in the case and keep a good eye on it all :)

i have a old generic psu ive "hot wired" so as just to use molex's off of it

there are guides on the web on how to do this
 
I always fill inside the case. It's enough of a pain trying to mount individual components so trying to fit the whole lot all at once with all the added grief of it already being filled with water! No thanks.

Fill the res, water will flow out of it and into the outlet and inlet. Keep adding water and keep rocking the case. You still don't need to turn on the pump. Get as much water in as possible ensuring that water has completely filled the tube from the res to the pump inlet. Position the case so the res is the highest point and keep adding water. Only when you can't add anymore do you turn on the pump. Do so for only a few seconds as you will find that a lot of air is instantly pushed into your loop and round to the res. Add more water. Turn on the pump for a few seconds. Repeat as required.
 
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