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Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:05 am
by Georgio
Hi everyone,

I have a water tank for cooling, but this gets the sun all day. This time of year before running my pump or still the water temp starts at 32. So i have purchased a single fan car radiator and hope to be able to at least keep the temp closer to ambient and stable.

A question for those that use a car radiator in line with the cooling water setup.

Just wondering what you guys use to downsize your radiator inlets and outlets to be able to attach cooling hoses to.

I have seen pvc couplings but they seem to hard to get a good seal.

Any advice would be appreciated.

G.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 7:11 am
by Georgio
Also downsizing inlet.

Sizes are both 32mm on radiator.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:00 pm
by bluc
Have you look on ebay there is car reinforced silicone hoses, kinda like radiator hose I bought a blue one was a reducer i then put a poly barb into it. Out and about will get pick up later..

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:03 pm
by db1979
What size are your inlet and outlet? And what tubing do you use? I've used the garden irrigation range at bunnings with good success.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:09 pm
by db1979
These work well if you're using pvc tubing. Tighten with a hoseclamp and it should be fine.
Screenshot_20191118-150614~2.png


I just spent the weekend changing my setup and now have 25 mm high pressure pvc (outer diameter is about 32 mm) on the outlet and inlet. I'll post a photo later when I get home.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:46 pm
by bluc
This is what i bought
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2007280453 make sure its right size for your rad then put hose barb simlar to what db9 posted :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 3:53 pm
by Georgio
Thanks fellas. Currently using 12mm garden hose. I like the look of those coolant hose step downs. Then will wack the irrigation fitting db posted.

Legends. Appreciate the advice lads. Will post pics once shes running.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 4:36 pm
by db1979
If it's 32mm the connector I posted will fit right in. 1" bsp is 32mm.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 4:38 pm
by db1979
12mm hose tubing won't go onto the 19mm barb, but look around the garden irrigation aisle at bunnings and you'll get the right connectors.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 5:34 pm
by Georgio
Thanks db. Once i get it down to the 1" size i think i have got some bits and pieces laying around to get it sorted. I may just run 19mm straight to "y" piece that goes to RC and PC.

It would be good to see yours if you get the chance to take a pic :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 8:00 pm
by db1979
Summary of my new cooling system, just got it finished yesterday.

Connection to the bottom of the radiator. 25 mm high pressure pvc pipe, only cause I had some laying around and it just happened to fit the radiator tube (its outer diameter is close to 32 mm). Otherwise there's no need for high pressure pipe.
15740653802330.jpg


Outlet back to pump. I just hope having the radiator so close to the wall won't cause issues. There's enough space under my bench for all of my fermenters and the radiator this way. About 200 mm from fans to the wall.
15740654642751.jpg


Pump plumbing. Brand new pump. I could have put it up higher but I wanted it out of the way of any electricity. Seems to have enough head to do the job so far. Just ignore that dodgy bracket that isn't square... Pretend you didn't see it :shifty: I've got a spare outlet to attach more plumbing for a future mini pot still for gin runs.
15740655618062.jpg


Bubbler plumbing including return to radiator. The grey piece is sorta like the one bluc posted and was going to use a length of the radiator hose but this seemed to work. The black plastic fitting has an additional internal barb that points downwards that I've attached a short length of 19 mm tubing to but you can't see it.
15740656190233.jpg

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 8:37 pm
by Georgio
Thats Awesome db. Thank you for the inspiration.

How good is that tiny resevoir...bloody brilliant.

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:04 pm
by db1979
Yeah saves more space for the fermenters. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 2:43 pm
by Georgio
Thanks for the advice db and bluc.

Got the radiator setup. Happy with the results, ambient temp currently 34 deg. Distillate hasnt budged from 31 deg in 4hrs. Given its hot and tank gets sun all day, pretty happy with results. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:33 pm
by db1979
Fantastic :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Well done mate

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 6:35 pm
by db1979
Bit warm today wasn't it? :))

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:22 pm
by The Stig
Just a bit

Re: Downsizing Radiator outlet

PostPosted: Mon Dec 02, 2019 10:01 pm
by corncob
Hi- I had the same challenge a few years ago and a trawl around Bunnings gave me the parts I needed. Water irrigation section plus the plumbing section which has flexible reducers for grey water / waste water hose pipe. If I remember correctly, I used self amalgamating tape from Jaycar where the fit was not quite tight enough. It did not look pretty, but it worked. I stopped using that system when I inherited a 1000l water tank - problem went away!