Minimum insulation necessary for a TEC chiller?

[ALMOSTunseen]

After recently purchasing a TEC chiller Watercooling loop(http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=175744), I wasn't considering the risk of condensation too much. To the best of my memory, the TEC chiller has 4 60w TEC plates, running at 30w each. Due to the current heatwaves(42 degrees C! Thats 107 F) and high humidity(70%-90%) currently in Australia, this has raised the dew point(Around 19C now) greatly. The CPU waterblock I will be using the Apogee Drive II with the pump removed.

The question I have to ask, is what is the minimum amount of insulation to stop condensation that I can get away with? I would prefer not to encase my cpu/mobo in dielectric greases, and anything that is not easy to clean up. Would I be able to get away with insulating key areas, e.g. the lower part of the waterblock and the surrounding mobo with just Neoprene? (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/13...0mm_x_3mm.html)

[Sasqui]

What they've got may work well. You need a good seal as well to keep the cold parts away from the warmer, humid ambient air.

This stuff is really messy, but may be worth a look:

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by Sasqui

What they've got may work well. You need a good seal as well to keep the cold parts away from the warmer, humid ambient air.

This stuff is really messy, but may be worth a look:

http://img2-2.timeinc.net/toh/i/a/to...m-spray-00.jpg

Yes, I saw some people using insulating foam and the such. But this is what I was kinda aiming to stay away from. It is easier to cleanup though.

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Yes, I saw some people using insulating foam and the such. But this is what I was kinda aiming to stay away from. It is easier to cleanup though.

Yea, I'd stick with an off-the shelf solution. The foam would likely work, but it expands when it comes out of the can, so the coverage is usually unpredictable... and is a nightmare to cleanup. Prehaps if you wrapped everything you want in a clear sheet of heatshrink packaging, heated it, then covered with the foam, that might work ok.

[de.das.dude]

you can always put your things in the dishwasher to clean up.

you may even look using silicon gel too keep the case less humid.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by Sasqui

Yea, I'd stick with an off-the shelf solution. The foam would likely work, but it expands when it comes out of the can, so the coverage is usually unpredictable... and is a nightmare to cleanup. Prehaps if you wrapped everything you want in a clear sheet of heatshrink packaging, heated it, then covered with the foam, that might work ok.

Thats an interesting idea. Most people use Kneaded eraser underneath the foam. I was considering using a layer of thermal foam/3M thermal tape underneath? http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l2/g8/c...Pads_Tape.html

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

you can always put your things in the dishwasher to clean up.

you may even look using silicon gel too keep the case less humid.

Yeah, lets just hope I dry it fully......
I don't understand what you mean with the silicon gel keeping the case less humid?




Just saw this, some guy insulated his whole motherboard by coating it with liquid plastic. Apparently it comes off easy too!

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Just saw this, some guy insulated his whole motherboard by coating it with liquid plastic. Apparently it comes off easy too!

That's way cool, it looks like consistent layer too. Can you find the suff online?

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by Sasqui

That's way cool, it looks like consistent layer too. Can you find the suff online?

Should be able to get it at any hardware/electrical store. I believe the correct term for it is "Liquid electrical tape"
http://www.amazon.com/Star-brite-Liq...OD?ref=prid-20

[de.das.dude]

its liquid electrical paste. pretty common everywhere.

silicon gel is the stuff you find in the white sachet with HDDs, it absorbs moisture.

[parelem]

spray version of liquid electrical tape http://www.amazon.com/Performix-Plas...ords=plastidip

you could also go with some conformal coating, but that stuff is a mess to clean up

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

its liquid electrical paste. pretty common everywhere.

silicon gel is the stuff you find in the white sachet with HDDs, it absorbs moisture.

So, I just string a couple of those up at the front of my case? And change them every week?

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Should be able to get it at any hardware/electrical store. I believe the correct term for it is "Liquid electrical tape"
http://www.amazon.com/Star-brite-Liq...OD?ref=prid-20

Originally Posted by parelem

spray version of liquid electrical tape http://www.amazon.com/Performix-Plas...ords=plastidip

you could also go with some conformal coating, but that stuff is a mess to clean up

There has to be a project in the future that I'll be using that stuff on

[ALMOSTunseen]

Hmm, I'll use that liquid electrical tape for sealing between the foam and block. I'm a little scared to lather it onto my board.

[natr0n]

Use non-dry modeling clay.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by natr0n

Use non-dry modeling clay.

Is it better then kneadable eraser? Or just easier to use and mould?

[natr0n]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Is it better then kneadable eraser? Or just easier to use and mould?

its easier to mold and such. something like this will do.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EZ-Shape-N...tural/19212227

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by natr0n

its easier to mold and such. something like this will do.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EZ-Shape-N...tural/19212227

I'll get some blue
Thanks for the advice.

What I'll be doing:

Moulding around the CPU and mosfets with the modeling clay. Layer of Foam. Layer of Shop towels. Layer of foam. Seal any gaps with liquid electrical tape.

On the backside, Retention bracket on. Mould around with clay, then foam ontop. Seal with liquid electrical tape.

Thanks for all the advice, anyone can feel free to add to the plans I have made according to your advice.

[de.das.dude]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

So, I just string a couple of those up at the front of my case? And change them every week?

lol. its not like that. you just place one in the case. or line the base of your case with it

Sometimes they come in rocky form like this:-



this was collected from a couple of aforementioned pouches, these came with the OEM packing of desktops for my college. i use this to completely dry stuff i washed, like a gpu etc.

[m1dg3t]

Conformal coating spray, Lizard Skin and/or dielectric grease. Used to be the ticket back in the day... Xtremesystems has a pretty informative tec cooling section... Not sure how active it is though...

I only visit Xs for info i can't find here, too many shooters ova dere

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by de.das.dude

lol. its not like that. you just place one in the case. or line the base of your case with it

Sometimes they come in rocky form like this:-

http://img.techpowerup.org/130117/17012013063.jpg

this was collected from a couple of aforementioned pouches, these came with the OEM packing of desktops for my college. i use this to completely dry stuff i washed, like a gpu etc.

Hmmm, just sew 2 fan filters together, fill inbetween them with silicon.

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

I'm a little scared to lather it onto my board.

I was thinking the feet of my cat

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by Sasqui

I was thinking the feet of my cat

I do not want to understand the reason why....

[Sasqui]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

I do not want to understand the reason why....

Don't worry, no animals were harmed in the writing of that post. I did however, put scotch tape on a cats feet once (I was young). It was funny till we felt bad and took the tape off.

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by Sasqui

Don't worry, no animals were harmed in the writing of that post. I did however, put scotch tape on a cats feet once (I was young). It was funny till we felt bad and took the tape off.

I like to put socks on my dogs nose.

[erocker]

Isn't the TEC just hooked into the resevoir or do you have it mounted on the block now? I don't see any reason to insulate the motherboard if you're just cooling the water.