[Bong Cooler] Version 2 installed outside

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About this blog: Computers hate me. They really do. Every time I try to do something unusual like add new hardware, something is guaranteed to go wrong. I decided to start writing about my constant problems so that someone else might benefit from my experiences - or at least laugh at them!

[Bong Cooler] Version 2 installed outside

05 January 2009, 6:42pm

Outside the office.

Water topup solenoid.

Water falls to the bottom.

Air inlet covered by mozzie filter.

Here's V2 of the bong cooler. This one has a larger 120mm fan, with the air inlet at the bottom and the fan located at the top (which is now blowing air out rather than sucking it in). The reservoir is also significantly larger, probably around 20 litres at the chosen fill level. A solenoid connected to a garden hose allows remote control of topping up the reservoir. Brass rods are used as electronic water level sensors in order to cut off everything if the water level falls dangerously low (if the whole thing tips over, or someone unplugs the garden hose), and also keep the water at a particular level by filling with fresh water. The micro spray jet has been replaced by a fountain head. Plastic based filter material has been cut into small cubes and placed at the bottom of the tower to reduce the "continous piddle noise" effect - as a bonus it increases surface area which should increase evaporation.

Build quality is also a little better as I expect this to be a semi-permanent installation.

There is still the occasional blip of water leaking from the join just below the bottom elbow, but this is not an issue since it travels down the outside of the pipe into the reservoir. In the V1 design the water would end up running over the lid and off the side.