DIY 1/2 horse chiller under $150

[Mafiaman]

It looks messy now and needs some dressing up. But it works great. If any of you see's a flaw in my design please tell me.
dropped 7 degrees in an hour

Start of with one used 5200btu window shaker $50
one 26 foot pool hose $16
one small pump 150 gph $30 ( go small you don't want water going fast)
two 1 inch pvc to 1/2inch barb adapter $2
two 1/2inch barb adapter $2
one 48qt. or larger cooler $10

Step one remove cover from A/C unit and trash unnessary parts.
Step two remove screws holding cooling coil in place.
Step three slowly pivit coil to were it can be place into center of cooler. Be careful not to kink lines.
Step four insert pvc connecters with barb fittings into ends of pool hose.
step five drill two 1 1/2" holes into top of cooler
Step six coil pool hose around inside of cooler and place A/C cooling coil into center.
Using two short pieces of 1/2" line connect pump to one end other end is return to sump
Step seven fill cooler with water start A/c and pump stand back anc let the fish chill.

[Mafiaman]

Here is a top view

[Mafiaman]

Here is open view. Notice the thermostat from controls is bent to go into the water. And with works with so adjustments.

[gregt]

Very clever. Looks like one of my projects though. Sorry, shouldn't insult you so badly.

Seriously though, it's probably going to cost you more than a commercial chiller in the long run due to it's inefficiency.

[Mafiaman]

On the temp. controle of a 1-10 setting it is on 4 right now and with lid mostly closed compresure only runs 15% of the time.
Once water in cooler is cild it holds it for awhile.

[gregt]

I don't care if it is more expensive in the long run. I love a good old fashioned clever solution. I may do this myself just for the fun of it.

[gregt]

here's a couple concerns:

How long will the thermostat last submersed in water?

How long will the coil last submersed in water?

[Mafiaman]

coil is copper and aluminum they both do well in plain water.
who knows on the thermostat.
But be mindful of leaks for chilled water into salt water because of the copper!

[gregt]

Any reason you choose pool tubing rather than, well, anything else? Just curious on your thought process on that one.

Did you consider using longer coils of ice maker tubing or something along those lines? I'm thinking that smaller diameter would be more efficient as the smaller diameter leaves a larger amount of area exposed to the cool water.

Also, what about a small powerhead in the cooler pointed at the coils to exchange the heat more efficiently?

[Mafiaman]

Power head is a good idea!

I used pool hose because I wanted max volume with slow movement increasing the time tank water is in the cooler.
Although longer thinner hose traveling slower would equal the same thing.
After thought would be price,, 26' pool hose $16
3/4"ID line from homedepot is for same amount is about $25

[gregt]

I'm just thinking that a lot of the water in the pool tubing is insulated by the large volume of water in the tubing. All the water on the inside isn't being cooled, only the water near the walls of the tubing. A thinner tube mathematically exposes more water to the heat exchange. The insulative qualities of the two materials are also something that should be taken into account and something I haven't the foggiest how to determine.

If the goal is the absolute cheapest solution, then you've probably got it nailed.

[Joel]

I'm thinking my wife wouldn't go for that in the living room. Good idea though.

[Mafiaman]

Living room model A-100 for Joels Wife!

[Casey]

Just what I was thinking Joel darn that things ugly!

[Mafiaman]

Item #1. Please read first line in post

Item #2 It is in a garage with wall to wall Harley parts (they dont mind)

Item #3 What you don't like flowers?


P.S.
Will trade Harley parts for fish stuff