Crude, but effective Temp test method.
 

I have a pretty decent Cooper thermometer, from when I worked as a Fine Dinning Chef. The benefit of this device is it's temp ranhge, calibratable, and waterproof. I wanted to find water-temp entering my waterblock's to extrapolate block effeciency via Delta-T for review's. After calibrating the thermometer in an Ice-bath, and wraping my TTF-103 thermistor in plastic wrap, and submerging that in an ice-bath as well, I went to work. I'm in need of better test hardware, and luckily a freind Bowman offered to build me a test system, with adjustable water-flow/pressure. Until then I improvise, running between three different Hydor pumps. The L-3-, L40, and L-45 they just sent.

We all know the software measuring CPU's internal thermal diode's can vary from board to board. So I re-positioned the TTF-103 thermistor until I found the best (closest to the core) location, and still have evenly distributed mounting pressure. I then measure the difference between the motherboard's CPU-diode reading, and the best thermistor reading. I'm thinking of filing a small groove into the IHS on both my A64 3400, and Prescott 3.0E, so the thermnistor will sit recessed and not effect waterblock/heatsink contact.

Anyway, I inserted the Cooper thermometer into the tubing just before the water-block inlet, about 2/3rd's of the way, ensuring the tip doesn't touch the sides. I thought this would immediately cause leakage, and to my pleasant suprise, it didn't leak a drop. Still I used some string-seal from my Prometeia socket kits, for added leakage insurance, and to hold the thermometer tip centered in the tube. Here's the result;

I would add some duct tape too, just in case :)

great setup, can't wait to see the flow rate test system Bowman will build for you:)

do you know the temp from the outlet off the block??

Well I need another thermometer, for that, and i can't find my second one. So I'm going to get one next week. I can remove the inlet, seal the hole, and then insert the same thermometer into the oulet. Only thing is with the RBX you really need three all together. One for each outlet, and one for the inlet temp. One of the outlet's could very well be dumping higher temp water then the other outlet. You have to measure before the Y adapter as well.

I did insert the thermometer into the Danger Den Bay reservoir, and the stem is long enough to reach to the inlet into the reservior, which is fed by about 13cm of 1/2" tubing. Problem is, that's not really as accurate as taking the temp right at the outlets. I tried attaching a thermistor to the outlet barb right at it's base, but that's measuring the metal temp as it conducts heat, not the water temp.

As it stands I have three Hydor pumps, L-30, L40, and L-45, although the L-45 seems to be leaking. Between these three pumps I can "predict" different flow-rates, but of course that's not as accurate as having a flow-meter with adjustable pressure. I hope Bowman is going to help, but I don't like to pressure people (hehe that's funny I said pressure) but from what i know of Bowman, he's one of the most honerable people on the Internet. I'm going to see what I can do on my end, instead of simply sitting back and waiting. I have an extra Prometeia he might want, which needs repairing.

Have you tried sillicone, it might add some extra antileak protection :^D

Thanks for chiming in. No I haven't but I should. I'm going to check the pump again tomorrow and see. I think as I tried to fit a 1/2" ID hose over the L-45's 3/4" barbs (only size it comes in) I may have cracked the pump casing. It's made of plastic, and seems to be molded and glued or somthing. Anyway it look like the water is coming from that "seam" in the pump body.

Thanks for replying though if it weren't for you I may have procrastinated another week.

:ws:

Hey, no sweat :)
I've read a great idea on telenet forum, someone made an inline tempreadthingy wit a T-piece.
Check the leet-paint drawing and you'll know what i mean :o
maby that could be useful for the outlets? i think it has a bigger antileak factor :^D

yeah but your flow will increase :(
would depend how thick the sensor is too,such a small one like for under a cpu should work out

Actually inserting the bimetal thermometer into the DD tubing never produced a leak. I guess Danger Den tubing is high quality rubber, not vinyl, and almost "self-seals" I've even pulled the probe out a little bit when I installed another waterblock. Still not one drop of water? Amazing, I'd thought for sure when I puncutred that tube I'd be left with a lawn watering hose.

Well thats some kickass tubing if you ask me :^D