Cooling valve, before or after condenser?

[deryn]

Hi everyone,

In your cooling plumbing, is it better to have the needle valve before or after the condenser? I know I've seen it in both ways in photos. I was just wondering if there is a general consensus of what is better. I'm sure it must have been discussed before, I just can't seem to come up with the right combination of keywords that doesn't return thousands or results.

[coffe addict]

Old plumbing rule "if in doubt meter out" seems to be said a lot but I doubt it makes much difference for our purposes here.

[The Stig]

Your better to meter the water going into the condenser

[RC Al]

How does the concept that the whole water feed acts as a heatsink better if it's a continuous mass and thereby you get better control if the valve is after the condenser strike people?

Edit, on the down side, the valve would get hotter?

[woodduck]

As long as the water is going in the bottom can't see much difference myself?

[Professor Green]

I've tried both configurations with the thought behind having the valve on the outlet being that the incoming water pressure might force all of the air out of the condenser thus filling it to the top rather than only filling it to the level of the outlet and making it more efficient. In practice it didn't really make much of a difference. And yes, the valve did get rather hot.

[db1979]

I agree, valve is best before the RC to help keep the valve cooler, so it'll last longer. Also, a valve after the RC is just another place for the air that degasses in the RC to get stuck on. You want a nice smooth ride for those air bubbles to flow quickly out of the RC and leave it with as little air as possible. But you probably won't notice much difference. It'd only be an issue if your RC was very undersized and at full reflux you'd need to squeeze out every little bit of efficiency that you could get. But for the simple matter of your valve lasting longer, put it before the RC.

1000 posts, only took me 6 years 8-}

[woodduck]

1000 posts, only took me 6 years 8-}

And like the other 999 it was well thought out and useful. You've got some very handy science knowledge that comes in handy db :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[hillzabilly]

Another consideration is ease of access dureing a run ,Ifn ya going 5plates and a packed section it will be fairly high up for some,and a little extra tube befor the RC may work well to bring it down a little ,or put the valve on the supply tee .cheers hillzabilly ;-)

[Professor Green]

:text-+1:

Someone here, I think it's Magnus, has a great cooling set up with the valves mounted on a panel down near the boiler. One day I'll get around to doing that myself.

[The Stig]

cooling set up with the valves mounted on a panel

That sort of thing is ok if you dont need to move the rig around.
I need to roll out the door to empty the boiler so no go for me.

[EziTasting]

cooling set up with the valves mounted on a panel

That sort of thing is ok if you dont need to move the rig around.
I need to roll out the door to empty the boiler so no go for me.

Y'all need a pump or 2! I lift heavy all day long and am shagged most evenings... be nerfed if I will be living or shifting more heave things when it comes to doing this hobby! :whistle:

[coffe addict]

:text-+1: ezi, I have over 20m from boiler to the drain and it's incredibly easy with a hose and a pump!

[EziTasting]

I think that’s where the old saying “Older and wiser” comes in...

Used to mix cement in a wheelbarrow until I found out you could hire a mixer all weekend for $25!
:teasing-tease:

[db1979]

1000 posts, only took me 6 years 8-}

And like the other 999 it was well thought out and useful. You've got some very handy science knowledge that comes in handy db :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Thanks mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Plumby]

I think that’s where the old saying “Older and wiser” comes in...

Used to mix cement in a wheelbarrow until I found out you could hire a mixer all weekend for $25!
:teasing-tease:

I've been mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow for laying bricks/blocks and stone for the last 25 years, might look at one of those new fangled petrol mixers one day :laughing-rolling:
Slabs and paths I use concrete agitators.