Chiller Outlet Temp advice??

paulfromero · 08/20/2006, 06:29 PM

Hi there,

I bought a used 1/4 hp chiller and hooked it up to a closed loop with a 20RLT Iwaki pump. After a few minutes of operation, The outlet temperatureshows only about 1- 11/2 degrees difference from the regular tank temperature. Does this sound wrong? I think I should be seeing 5-10 degrees difference shouldnt I?

Thanks for any help,

Paul

wrassie86 · 08/20/2006, 07:54 PM

have you tested what the flow rate is through the chiller?I mean its not being overpowered by that pump is it?also what kind of chiller is it?

paulfromero · 08/20/2006, 09:58 PM

Hi again,

Sorry about the lack of info here. I think the flow is about 300gph through a 3/4" pipe. I dont know what brand of chiller it is...inside the compressor reads Copeland. Its kinda funny ...just as I installed the chiller, I started doing a search on temparatures, and Dr. Shimeck, has done studies showing that even 90 degrees is not hazardous to fish, if they come from a warm area.

Paul

theatrus · 08/20/2006, 11:26 PM

Temp changes to corals can be bad

(I've lost some that way)

Chillers work slowly, water has a very very high heat retention capability, which makes it a very good coolant. So only a degree or two difference is quite normal.

mattseattle · 08/21/2006, 12:09 AM

I have a 1/4 HP chiller and the difference in my input / output water is about 2 degrees. You wouldn't want 10 degrees colder water coming out as that'd chill your aquarium way to quickly.

Lutefisk · 08/21/2006, 07:48 AM

I'm assuming that you're seeing one and one-half degrees drop rather than eleven halves.

Yes, that is just fine and very normal.

If you ran your feed pump slower you would get a larger drop - but, DON'T do that. Run your chiller at the rated flows.

There are other variables but the rate of heat transfer is a function of the difference in temperature between the water and the heat exchange coils in the chiller. Generally speaking, discounting frictional heat, over pressurizing your chiller, etc. it is a lot more efficient to cool a lot of water a little rather than a little water a lot.

IMHO - when properly sized, when your chiller turns on it should run a significant period of time before it shuts off. This will help prolong the life of your chiller and your livestock will thank you too.

Paul

wrassie86 · 08/21/2006, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by paulfromero
Hi again,

Sorry about the lack of info here. I think the flow is about 300gph through a 3/4" pipe. I dont know what brand of chiller it is...inside the compressor reads Copeland. Its kinda funny ...just as I installed the chiller, I started doing a search on temparatures, and Dr. Shimeck, has done studies showing that even 90 degrees is not hazardous to fish, if they come from a warm area.

Paul

Copeland compresors are some of the best.One chiller i know for sure that used them is the old CSL chillers (custom sealife) I use a 1/4 CSL on my tank and if i recall the flow rate is 600gph to 1000gph for best results. i would assume that 300gph is alittle slow for most 1/4's.
If you posted a pic i'm sure the kind could be narrowed down.

08/20/2006, 06:29 PM	#1
paulfromero Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 471	Chiller Outlet Temp advice?? Hi there, I bought a used 1/4 hp chiller and hooked it up to a closed loop with a 20RLT Iwaki pump. After a few minutes of operation, The outlet temperatureshows only about 1- 11/2 degrees difference from the regular tank temperature. Does this sound wrong? I think I should be seeing 5-10 degrees difference shouldnt I? Thanks for any help, Paul

08/20/2006, 07:54 PM	#2
wrassie86 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Thonotosassa,FL Posts: 1,836	have you tested what the flow rate is through the chiller?I mean its not being overpowered by that pump is it?also what kind of chiller is it? __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: None, On a baby and moving break.

08/20/2006, 11:26 PM	#4
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Temp changes to corals can be bad (I've lost some that way) Chillers work slowly, water has a very very high heat retention capability, which makes it a very good coolant. So only a degree or two difference is quite normal. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

08/21/2006, 07:48 AM	#6
Lutefisk Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Oviedo, FL Posts: 1,686	I'm assuming that you're seeing one and one-half degrees drop rather than eleven halves. Yes, that is just fine and very normal. If you ran your feed pump slower you would get a larger drop - but, DON'T do that. Run your chiller at the rated flows. There are other variables but the rate of heat transfer is a function of the difference in temperature between the water and the heat exchange coils in the chiller. Generally speaking, discounting frictional heat, over pressurizing your chiller, etc. it is a lot more efficient to cool a lot of water a little rather than a little water a lot. IMHO - when properly sized, when your chiller turns on it should run a significant period of time before it shuts off. This will help prolong the life of your chiller and your livestock will thank you too. Paul __________________ lu·te·fisk (lôô'tə-fĭsk') n. A traditional Scandinavian dish prepared by soaking air-dried cod in a lye solution for several weeks, a process that gives the dish its gelatinous consistency. Current Tank Info: 155 bow front plus misc other tanks.

08/20/2006, 09:58 PM	#3
paulfromero Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 471	Hi again, Sorry about the lack of info here. I think the flow is about 300gph through a 3/4" pipe. I dont know what brand of chiller it is...inside the compressor reads Copeland. Its kinda funny ...just as I installed the chiller, I started doing a search on temparatures, and Dr. Shimeck, has done studies showing that even 90 degrees is not hazardous to fish, if they come from a warm area. Paul

08/21/2006, 12:09 AM	#5
mattseattle Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: seattle Posts: 1,332	I have a 1/4 HP chiller and the difference in my input / output water is about 2 degrees. You wouldn't want 10 degrees colder water coming out as that'd chill your aquarium way to quickly.