PC cooling radiator for laser?

[geekinesis]

Hi

I have just added a pc flow sensor to the water supply and a temperature sensor. I am wondering if I can cool the water using a pc water cooling radiator and fans. I know some people have done this, like Tweakie, so am interested in the efficiency of the radiators.

Logic tells me the radiators can only cool to the ambient temperature of the room and not below. But how do they cope with the laser on full power? Do people still need to add cold water etc.

Ive almost completely rebuilt my laser to the point that the only original parts are the laser power box and the mirrors and lens. I am making an aluminium case as well which is much smaller and lighter than the original as I dont need the z depth adjustment to be so great. It would be great if I could get rid if the water tank as well.

[Tweakie]

All I can say is that it works OK for me but you are quite correct - you can only cool to the ambient so it is fine for the UK but would perhaps be no use at all in Florida.

Tweakie.

[geekinesis]

ill be fine in london then.

How many fans do you have on the radiator? I think they come in 1, 2, 3 or 4 fan sizes?

I am thinking its best to have a separate cooling circuit rather than put the radiator inline with the pump and tube, incase the radiator gets blocked or restricts flow rate.

[Tweakie]

I use a 3 fan PC rad.
If you are using a flow sensor (I use a Gems) then any blockage or pump failure etc will shut the system down. I have had no problems over a 12 Month period now.

Tweakie.

[geekinesis]

ok thanks, Ill give it a go with 3 fans

I am using a koolance flow sensor and a digital temp sensor hooked up to a picaxe chip which disables/enables the laser.

[Tweakie]

Sounds good.

(I will have to look up picaxe chip now as that is one I have never heard about).

Tweakie.

[geekinesis]

Yep the picaxe is a useful chip for quick solutions and prototypes. It uses a small bootloader on an ordinary pic allowing programes to be written in basic and downloaded through a simple serial interface to a mac or pc.

and they are reasonably cheap at about £1.50 each.

[Tweakie]

Yes I see that, it is a brilliant idea and so simple to use.

Tweakie.