IceProbe Chiller Mod

Here is a little 'how to' on installing an IceProbe Chiller on a TetraTec filter.



What you will need:

• A hacksaw
• A giant thick rubber o-ring with a 1.25" diameter hole. (Don't have one? Use a toilet plunger! That's what I did! hehe.  ;D
• A ton of patience

Step 1 - Cutting the top off the flow control cap.

I made the cut about a quarter inch up from the o-ring this is on the outside of the cap. This left enough room for the new o-ring to fit snug inside.

Here is a pic with an arrow pointing to the cap I am
talking about:




Step 2 - Cutting the new o-ring to size.

This took effort on my part since I started with a toilet plunger!  

I cut a few different sized ones to see which fit the best and then used a 1.25" carbide grit hole saw and made a hole through it. This was really dangerous as the saw flew around until it bit and nearly got my fingers that were holding the rubber. I WORE WORK GLOVES FOR PROTECTION.

THen it took time to make the hole as the rubber bound a lot.

*This is a great way to make a mess and make your house smell like burning rubber!!   :

Check it out:






Step 3 - Putting the o-ring and cap on the IceProbe.


This is where I spent a heck of a lot of time. The o-ring I made was very snug, especially when I put the cap around it. It took a lot of effort and trial and error to get it on the probe and down on the threads.






Step 4 - Installing the IceProbe on the filter.


This was also tricky as you have to make sure it's on the filter right or it will suck in air.

I tried it with the cover on the filter first, then quickly realized it was hard to make sure it was on and I couldn't get inside the filter anymore once it was on.

So I decided to leave the cover off and make a new one. I used a black mousepad that has plastic on one side.

Check it out:






Once it was on and the filter was working right, I plugged in the chiller and began adjusting the controller.

I could be crazy, but in the time it took my to write this, the temp has gone done a bit already!

IT WORKS!!


[smiley=smoking.gif] [smiley=smoking.gif] [smiley=smoking.gif] [smiley=smoking.gif] [smiley=smoking.gif] [smiley=smokin.gif] [smiley=smoke.gif] 8)


Well I hope this helps somebody. It took hours and wasn't that easy, but I think it was worth it. In a few days I'll post a review of the chiller on the Product Reviews Board.

Time to crack a beer and stare at it!

8)

matt

 

Matt the DIY guy ;D looks good
Now show us the tank!

 

Ok, I uploaded some more pics, check out the homepage.



edit: added link to pics, going back to staring at the chiller.

 

Due to the OVERWHELMING RESPONSE! (Hi Nugio!)

here is an update,

chiller dialed in to go on at 77 degrees. came home today, typically it's 82-85, today, around 78 or 79!

COOL.

 

Awesome job Matt, you da DIY guru!

 

Good thing it works or you would be very pissed off right about now.

Good job Matt.

 

Hey I saw your Kaik drip tubing there..how is that working for ya?

 

[quote author=Nautilus link=board=Sitenews;num=1079918495;start=0#5 date=03/24/04 at 17:31:30]Good thing it works or you would be very pissed off right about now.[/quote]

Ain't that the truth! [smiley=biglaugh.gif]

THANKS GUYS.

Tank temp is really stable now. Controller works like a charm. Curious to see how it handles the next heat wave.

[sub](Naut- I.V. works fine other than the kalk prob, but I will have that fixed this weekend and post a pic of what I come up with.)[/sub]