agentrfr
Executive Member
Just thought I would let people know that it is possible to infact refill your old closed loop water cooler
I have a 6+ year old Corsair single fan AIO that gave up the ghost (H55? 2012 model). What happens is the water is very slightly permiable in the plastic, and over 5 years or so can diffuse through the pipes and evaporate away enough to not allow the pump to prime (as well as make the loop noisey)
The solution that worked for me was actually quite simple. All I needed was: distilled water from Dischem (Reverse Osmosis "RO" is better if they have it), a biocide (see below what I used or what you can use), a 20 mL syringe and a size 24 needle, a 1.5 mm drill bit ( 1 or 2 mm would work too as long as the needle is much smaller than the hole to let air out while you refil it), a vaccuum, some Patex 100% Gel "Xtreme" glue/sealant and some electrical tape.
First the replacement water
Into a measuring jug
Add 200 mL of RO or distilled water
A pinch (~0.25 grams) of a biocide (I used Sodium Benzoate from my hydroponics stash, or I guess you can use Benzalkonium chloride - it is the active ingredient in weed killer that you can buy from a local rose shop - just check the label)
Next drill into the reservoir by the radiator (NOT THE PUMP THAT SITS ON THE CPU)
If you hold the radiator upright as it would be in your case (long side standing up) and with the pipes oriented at the bottom (i.e. away from your face looking down on it from the top), drill downwards SLOWLY into the reservoir with the vaccuum sucking up as much of the little metal fragments you can (it helps if someone is helping you). Be careful when you break in so that your drill bit doesnt contaminate the water with the metal fragments.
Holding the radiator up above the pump all the way the pipes will let you, use the syringe and needle to refill the reservoir. You can use your finger to block the hold and shake the radiator to get rid of air bubbles as you fill it
My radiator took about 30 mL of water before it was completely full
Plug the hole with a drop of the patex gel and let it dry for two hours
Cover with electrical tape (just incase)
Profit
My one now works like new again
saved me like R1000
I have a 6+ year old Corsair single fan AIO that gave up the ghost (H55? 2012 model). What happens is the water is very slightly permiable in the plastic, and over 5 years or so can diffuse through the pipes and evaporate away enough to not allow the pump to prime (as well as make the loop noisey)
The solution that worked for me was actually quite simple. All I needed was: distilled water from Dischem (Reverse Osmosis "RO" is better if they have it), a biocide (see below what I used or what you can use), a 20 mL syringe and a size 24 needle, a 1.5 mm drill bit ( 1 or 2 mm would work too as long as the needle is much smaller than the hole to let air out while you refil it), a vaccuum, some Patex 100% Gel "Xtreme" glue/sealant and some electrical tape.
First the replacement water
Into a measuring jug
Add 200 mL of RO or distilled water
A pinch (~0.25 grams) of a biocide (I used Sodium Benzoate from my hydroponics stash, or I guess you can use Benzalkonium chloride - it is the active ingredient in weed killer that you can buy from a local rose shop - just check the label)
Next drill into the reservoir by the radiator (NOT THE PUMP THAT SITS ON THE CPU)
If you hold the radiator upright as it would be in your case (long side standing up) and with the pipes oriented at the bottom (i.e. away from your face looking down on it from the top), drill downwards SLOWLY into the reservoir with the vaccuum sucking up as much of the little metal fragments you can (it helps if someone is helping you). Be careful when you break in so that your drill bit doesnt contaminate the water with the metal fragments.
Holding the radiator up above the pump all the way the pipes will let you, use the syringe and needle to refill the reservoir. You can use your finger to block the hold and shake the radiator to get rid of air bubbles as you fill it
My radiator took about 30 mL of water before it was completely full
Plug the hole with a drop of the patex gel and let it dry for two hours
Cover with electrical tape (just incase)
Profit
My one now works like new again
saved me like R1000