Feeding Chiller from Siphon Drain

[ca1ore]

I've got 1,100 gph of free flow coming down from my tank in the form of my siphon drain. Am thinking about using it to feed my chiller in lieu of the dedicated pump that currently serves in that purpose. Can anyone think of a good reason not to do it?

 

[GoVols]

I've got 1,100 gph of free flow coming down from my tank in the form of my siphon drain. Am thinking about using it to feed my chiller in lieu of the dedicated pump that currently serves in that purpose. Can anyone think of a good reason not to do it?

My chiller needs pump head presser.

 

[mcarroll]

Can anyone think of a good reason not to do it?

My chiller needs pump head presser.

I think the head pressure is just to overcome the friction-loss from the internal plumbing though...

I think it would work as long as both used the same diameter plumbing or close.

Will your system be affected if the siphon is slightly slower? (It will be slightly slower, but my guess is that you won't be able to notice the difference because it will be slight.)

I would be curious to hear the vendor's feedback on the question though.

2¢

 

[ca1ore]

It's a trade winds 3/4, so a big boy. Have inquired of the manufacturer. My guess is he'll say flow is flow, doesn't matter where it comes from. My main drain is a 1" siphon with almost 10 feet of drop to the inlet if the chiller. I already have the gate closed up by about 40%, so I can deal with a bit more plumbing restriction.

My main concern was the siphon getting clogged; though that's a risk on the suction side of a dedicated pump also. The TW chillers use a temp probe inside the chill chamber, so even if flow stops, it cannot ice up.

When I originally designed and built my sump, I neglected to include an easy way to run a dedicated chiller pump. The Rube Goldberg approach I used last year offends my sensibilities LOL.

 

[mfinn]

I suppose flow is flow, but I would be concerned about detritus getting caught inside the chiller.


edit

 

[mehaffydr]

With the pressure from that much drop I can’t imagine why it would not work

 

[ca1ore]

Agreed, just looking to see if anyone can come up with a reason not to do it that I didn't think of LOL

 

[Breadman03]

If you tee it off the siphon, would it act like a Venturi? You might have to run it with a wye to keep positive pressure.

 

[ca1ore]

If you tee it off the siphon, would it act like a Venturi? You might have to run it with a wye to keep positive pressure.

No T .... or Y. Going to run the entire siphon drain volume through the chiller.

 

[mcarroll]

Which model is it? They list the drop-in and in-line styles as only going up to 1/2 HP and the pedestal type they claim to start at 1.5 HP. LOL

 

[mcarroll]

Ok....here:
http://www.tradewindchillers.com/specsheet/

 

[mcarroll]

They give you Min and Max flow guidelines at least...

If it's the IL-75-S 3/4 HP then you want 18-45 GPM (or 1000-2700 GPH)

 

[mcarroll]

If that's the case then you're on the edge.

Take some measurements of actual flow once it's installed to make sure it's getting at least 1100 GPH.

 

[mcarroll]

Prefiltering the water as suggested earlier might be a good idea....forgot to co-sign on that.

But then most folks don't pre-filter their return water either...

This is another good ? for Tradewind.

 

[ca1ore]

I've been feeding it for a couple of years with a PW50PX-X, which tops out at around 1,100 so have been at the low end from the beginning. It's been ok though because you can raise the setback point on the Ranco to prevent the thing from rapid cycling. I figure using the drain I'll be slightly ahead of the pump. All of my drains have strainers so am not worried about debris getting in.

 

[kirbuno]

I've only had a below main tank sump for right at five months now, coming from an all in one. I'd always heard that there is always a chance a fish or even a snail could get through or over your toothed walled area and have then ample access to your sump as a secondary safe haven till you spot them for rescue. Hasn't happened to me yet in this setup, but did a couple of times in my all in one, but by hopping over not through the teeth. New setup has a cover so probably much less likely to happen.
Just a thought.

Only reason I can think of for not doing it, otherwise should work.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

I would not without filtering the water first. All waste and food that goes ober the overflow will go into the chiller. I think uneated foods in the chiller would cause issues in the long run. I would instead make changes to your return setup and use a mainfold to supply the chiller. Get a larger pump if needed.

 

[ca1ore]

Spoke at length with the builder. He had no real issues with using the drain to feed the chiller; though did say he thought I would find better performance by increasing the flow rate (and there is no convenient way for me to up the drain flow without getting a larger pump). I'm also a bit concerned that running the drain through the chiller might prevent the siphon from automatically restarting in the event of a power loss. So, I think I am going to see what the new flow is by running the main return through the chiller. I'm currently at 1,400, and may be able to keep it there by removing a couple of potential restrictions elsewhere.

 

[mcarroll]

siphon from automatically restarting

All that should be required to start it is for the drain to be consistently covered with water – no air. The chiller won't have a say in it. Based on the recommended flow rates for the unit, I bet you're not going to see much/if any loss of flow with it.

 

[Larry L]

If you shut off your return pump for any length of time (for feeding or doing maintenance), do you have to worry about the chiller freezing up because there's no flow through it?