Bring the connections out the top, gravity will help. I would go for a high quality synthetic motor oil to assure the inert nature. Ordinary mineral oil may contain additives for stability that are detrimental. Plan ahead for leaks and the possibility of capillary action traveling against gravity. I know practical is not the goal but it is more practical to physically attach the circuitry to "cold plates" that are cooled by coolant and provide isolation between the circuit components and the coolant. At least that was the more popular way for IBM in the early 90's. . There was a 7090 storage array that was available as oil cooled in the early 1960's. It suffered intermittent outages from minute solder flecks shorting circuits while the oil circulated. Filters helped but AFIK the only solution was air cooling for that product. BTW, a water spill is a lot easier to clean up than an oil spill! John Ferrell 6241 Phillippi Rd Julian NC 27283 Phone: (336)685-9606 Dixie Competition Products NSRCA 479 AMA 4190 W8CCW "My Competition is Not My Enemy" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ashley Roll" To: Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2001 5:33 AM 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! > email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu