Mineral Oil Submerged Computer

[Markes12344]

Howdy,

Quick question about the submerged computer....

Was wondering if it could be applied to monitors.... either LCD or CRT.

Next week I have to create some visual art for one of my classes at university and thought it be could to have a monitor submerged in oil playing some footage of fishes.

I mean logical would say that mineral oil is not conductive so it should be a problem right?

Esentially yes it sould be fine. the only downside i can see to it is
A- oil moment disrupting clear image.
B- oil going into the gel of the screen. im not to familiar with screens and how they work but my basic understanding is there is a gel (hence when pushed on screen it goes discolored and rippled) and i am thinking the oil may get into the gel over time. so if it is for a class project for about an hour or so, you may get away with having the monitor in the oil.

[Hariharakadan]

Hello everyone. I have been looking over DIY kit and I am considering purchasing it but I have a few questions in regards to getting the "most" out of it.

1) Using heat sinks for all the components useful?

2) Has anyone attempted to focus the oil like they do on this image? http://www.hardcorecomputer.com/Reso...mages/3373.jpg http://www.hardcorecomputer.com/Reso...mages/3374.jpg

SRC: http://www.hardcorecomputer.com/Prod...tReactor1.aspx

Just curious if that adding pumps and such as the way they do would improve the heating situation any.

3) Is there any need to worry about the thermal paste / heat sinks somehow leeching metals into the oil thus making it conductive?

Sorry if these questions have already been asked.

I don't plan to buy any pre-made computers from "Hardcore Computer" their parts are over priced and when its all said and done a high performance gaming computer is roughly the same price as a micro car that can get 50 miles to the gallon. So I hope this works out.

[ObiQuiet]

1) Using heat sinks for all the components useful?
3) Is there any need to worry about the thermal paste / heat sinks somehow leeching metals into the oil thus making it conductive?

For #1, I don't think you need heat sinks other than for the power supply, CPU and the GPU (video card). The heat transfer to the oil is like a heat sink enveloping all of the other components. So, just those two hot spots benefit.

For #3, I don't know, but I would suggest soaking your paste in a sample of oil for a few weeks to see if it dissolves. Even if it doesn't affect conductivity, the gunk would be worth avoiding -- it could cloud the oil. Instead of the paste, I've just use clamp-on heat sinks and fans to increase oil flow.

-ObiQuiet

[ObiQuiet]

Has anyone used one of these pico PSUs?

http://resources.mini-box.com/online...anual-engl.pdf

It's rated for 85C and 120W.

Upside - It would make getting the PSU into the tank much easier. That was the part I spent most time and effort on -- rigging a way to connect it mechanically to the MB so I could move the whole PC as one unit without straining the connectors.

Downside -- the visual effect of having a full-size PSU in the oil is nice, with the heat sink and the large capacitors. I suppose one could take the shell off the power brick.

-ObiQuiet

[ragez0r]

alright.. i wanna dunk my dual core into some oil.. y not ?

this is what ive got done so far..

ripped out the guts of my computer and put em into a perfect sized aquarium.. cleaned off the dust might i add... got the switch... even bought an ultraviolet lightbulb


now mineral oil is an issue... cannot find any store in Montreal Canada that sells large quantities of this love juice.. ive tried Costco (the obvious choice), walmart, pharmacies, canadian tire and all im getting are funny looks.

so my next choice is baby oil...i can probably go to 2-3 stores and get at least 20 liters of baby oil.. so my question is this.. with all these things inside baby oil.. should i b concerned ? like aloe vera... vitamin E.. and secondly.. can i mix brands of baby oil ?

another question is... why do some people put silicon on the motherboards ?? seen this in some youtube vids.. should i be doing that as well ??

any help would be appreciated

[ragez0r]

or can i use vegetable oil instead ? its cheaper and easier to find

[ObiQuiet]

cannot find any store in Montreal Canada that sells large quantities

Order from this company: http://www.steoil.com/ Or, try a veterinary supplier catering to horses.
Will probably be cheaper per liter than small-quantities of baby oil.

Would not recommend vegetable oil -- it goes bad in time.

[ragez0r]

Order from this company: http://www.steoil.com/ Or, try a veterinary supplier catering to horses.
Will probably be cheaper per liter than small-quantities of baby oil.

Would not recommend vegetable oil -- it goes bad in time.

i tried steoil.. it does not ship to Canada im afraid... also i live in the city.. no idea where i can find a horse ranch ?? but anyhoo i ordered from ebay.. something called
"Mineral Oil Pure Formulary Grade 70 Weight 35 Lb Pack"

please someone tell me that it wasnt a mistake ...

high school science somewhat escapes me now...

[ragez0r]

bump

[Shivers]

Hey ragez0r. I happen to live in Montreal as well, and built my own submerged computer a little over a year ago (and it still runs great, facebook.com/album.php?aid=236767&id=677425653&l=064a50a48d). I looked all over to find some oil, even tried going to a horse vet to get some (they use it to treat constipation & impaction), but no one had the ~25 liters I needed. I ended up finding it at Pharmaprix! I bought baby oil (which is just mineral oil), made sure to the get unscented, no vitamin e, no anything extra, and had the manager order me 45 bottles. It took a couple of days, but it was worth it. I bought them when they were on sale for 99¢ each, so it only came to about $50 with tax. That's probably your best bet.

The stuff you got off of ebay is probably fine too, if you make sure that the only ingredient is mineral oil, and that you have enough.