DIY cooler build questions

[_Alex_]

Ok so, im thinking probably going to need a cooler this summer and dont wanna spend 300-500 on one. My dad works on ac, chillers freezers and coolers. Some get as cold as -100 degrees. So my question is what's better air cooled or gas refrigerant cooled? Or even liquid?

By liquid my dad is thinking this: we can pump well water from ground that is 50 to 60 degrees even during the summer. So he is thinking put a coil in my sump and put a pump that takes the ground water and circulates it threw the coil in my sump. Also puting pump on thermostat so kicks on at say 79.5 and kicks off at say 77?

Im wondering what you all think on this idea. And any other plans or ideas any of you may have.


Thanks alex

 

[Troylee]

Fans skimming the surface is about the best and cheapest you can get.... Mini fridges etc have been proven to be un-efficant.... A chiller or evaporative cooling is where it's at...if you tried your idea you would need to use titanium for the coil which is very expensive.. Plastic lines won't do squat and copper, well we all know about that I hope!!! Hth...

 

[grisha]

there was some trials with mini refrigerators and coils in the sump..it didnt work for anyone...but i like your well idea, but only experiment will show

 

[RBursek]

So what do you do with the well water after it goes through the coil and there is no water usage going on in the house?

 

[Troylee]

I'm assuming the water would just recycle back into the well... It's sounds good but in reality won't do much, and the electricty to pump water to and from the well is gonna outwiegh any costs a chiller would apply... What size tank are you trying to cool? You would be amazed what a fan can do... My tank ran at 83 and I installed a single fan in the canopy and the temp dropped to 77..... Also it's not even skimming the surface it's just blowing the heat out of the canopy from the MHs and vhos....

 

[RBursek]

Most well pumps are 240v, and to pump water vertcally uses alot of amperage, of course it depends on how deep your pump is set at. Alot of persons have writen about this, or using a dorm size refrig with a coil in it to cool tank water. It just seems that a chiller if needed is the more effecient way, the right tool for the right job.

 

[_Alex_]

Only a 90 gal with 30 gal sump.

Was just tossing ideas out there. We have 3 sumps under house that just pump it out to the ditch so not wasted water really. But see moving. The Water will the harder part.


Will try the fans though


Thanks

 

[Mockery]

Here is a link to a local members geothermal loop he installed. Very cool setup!

Geothermal loop - Atlanta Reef Club Forums