Chiller hookup

[Sacohen]

I just got a used chiller and I'm not sure the best way to hook it into my plumbing. I've never had a chiller before and have some
questions.

It's a 1/10 hp chiller on a 55 gallon tank.
I'm going to re-plumb the system and build a manifold for everything.

The question is should the chiller get a portion of the water and return it to the sump or should the man return go to thru the chiller and then into the tank?

Also what type of maintenance does a chiller require besides keeping the intake vents clean?

Finally the manufactures instructions say there should be 24" of clearance all the way around for ventilation, that seems extreme. I mean who sits their chiller in the middle of the room with nothing around it basically?

 

[Johnnycat]

I'm not sure the best way for your setup. I do know that my chiller (JBJ Arctica 1/10hp) significantly reduced the flow rate in my system. I have it on the floor next to my stand so that's only about 3-4' head pressure.

As far as the space around it to circulate air - I don't worry too much. It's like a computer - it needs a little space to cool off, but if you have it sized right for your system it won't be on too long and hopefully won't generate too much heat.

 

[Sacohen]

Thanks Johnnycat.

I think it is sized right the manufacturer says that is will do a 10° pull down on an 80 gallon tank and a 20° on a 60. I only need maybe a 5° on a 55 gallon tank.

It will be on the floor next to the tank too so it will probably have the same 3-4' head pressure.

I'm running a Quiet One 3000 rated at 780 gph.

 

[slief]

Depending on your chiller model, that will dictate how much flow it will require for your tank. Based on that you can make a decision about whether you want to run it off a manifold or inline on your return pump. That will depend greatly on the flow of the return pump you are using taking into to consideration the head level your tank. Elbows, chillers and T's all contribute to head pressure.

As for maintenance.. I've been running chillers for more than 20 years now and never done any maintenance on any of my chillers other than blow out the radiator, shroud and fan as needed which amounted to every several months for me.

 

[Sacohen]

Thanks slief.

The chiller is a 1/10 HP (Mini) Current USA Prime Inline Chiller w/ Dual-Stage Thermostat.
I didn't see anything about flow requirements in the manual (http://www.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/CU02635.pdf)

As I said befire the pump is a Quiet One 3000 rated at 780 gph (You may not have seen that since you posted at like the exact same time as me).

The return out of the chiller will be a pretty straight run, maybe 3 or 4 90° turns over a 4 foot rise.

 

[slief]

The flow rating for that chiller is 200-600gph.

Given your Quiet One pump rating at at 780GPH max, you should just plumb the chiller in line with your return. No need to run it on a manfiold. By the time you figure in the height of the return at the level of your tank and the extra head pressure created by the plumbing and chiller, you will be right in the sweet spot for you chiller.

 

[Sacohen]

I'm doing the manifold anyway because it is going supply 2 reactors. 1 for GFO 1 for carbon. Then there will be à couple if spares and the main will feed the chiller & back to the tank.