Water flow in Rads

keikeimok · 28 Sep 2013 at 17:23

Hiya guys, maybe it seems a dumb question. I was trying to figure in my mind how does the water flow in the rad.

Should it be zigzag from inlet all the way to outlet in serial or would it be parallel and pool up on one side?

This question bugs me for a long long time, real close to dismantle one too see the truth inside..LOL

Something Else · 28 Sep 2013 at 18:22

They are designed so that the coolant has the maximum time inside the radiator so It will go from the inlet to the opposite side of the rad down one tube then back up the next then back down etc etc until it reaches the outlet.

This is a simple image which should give you an idea but all radiators are different but will work similar

http://laptops.techfresh.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/SonData-Water-Cooling-Notebook-Stand_02.jpg

keikeimok · 28 Sep 2013 at 20:54

I see..thanks, but I noticed both ends of the rad will become very hot under full load while the sides are relatively cool....dunno why with that....

Jokester · 28 Sep 2013 at 20:59

The sides just provide mechanical protection to the channels in the fins and give it rigidity, they're not water carrying.

keikeimok · 28 Sep 2013 at 23:00

gotcha...Thanks！！