For oceanographic work we often have oil filled electronics bottles.
The oil prevents them from being crushed at deep ocean pressures.  Most
small bottles are filled with pharmaceutical grade mineral oil, the same
stuff you get at the drug store.  If you need something less viscous you
can use kerosene.  For manned subs they use specialized very expensive
super-inert stuff called DT oil, but I have never heard of mineral oil
or kerosene causing a problem.

As far as cooling, the oil will take the heat away from the components
much better than air ever could.  I don't think you will need a
circulation pump.  You may still need a fan and cooling fins to get the
heat out of the oil and into the air.

Try to have the dry components above the oil bath.  Oil seals tend to
leak.  Be aware of things like oil seeping through stranded wire between
the strands.

Good luck, it sounds like fun!

Sherpa Doug

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ashley Roll [mailto:ash@DIGITALNEMESIS.COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 5:33 AM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: [OT]: Oil Cooling a Computer
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> My flatmate wants to build a "case mod" computer (don't ask
> why.. same thing
> as people putting ridiculous air spoilers cars I guess). So silly me
> suggests that he build a completely Perspex case and fill it
> with a clear
> mineral oil for cooling and effect and add some
> bubblers/lights/plastic fish
> whatever.. Kind of a homage to the old Cray super computers I guess.
>
> He is actually contemplating this.. So I though I should
> check to make sure
> that mineral oil isn't going to damage any of the components
> on the boards..
> I have heard of it being used in tesla coil capacitors so I
> have no doubt
> that it can withstand the voltages, but will it attack any components?
>
> Obviously We'd need a "dry" area for CDs, Hard disks and floppy and to
> remove all the fans and arrange some kind of large heat sink
> to the air from
> the oil, possible with a small pump to circulate the oil..
> The CPU would
> have its heat sink still, but no fan (probably wouldn't have
> one anyway..)
>
> Is this do-able? has anyone tried it before?
>
> Strange I know, but it keeps him amused..
>
> Cheers,
> Ash.
>
> ---
> Ashley Roll
> Digital Nemesis Pty Ltd
> www.digitalnemesis.com
> Mobile: +61 (0)417 705 718
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us!
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>

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