Eisbaer LT 120 AIO pump noise

[AlSki]

Hi,
I've been running an Eisbaer LT 120 in my Phanteks Shift for about 7 weeks. During the original fitment as I moved the block and rad around, I could hear there was already a small amount of air in the AIO. I note that the recommendation to fit the Rad above the pump isn't an option in the in Shift. Most of the time my system simply idles while I remote to the office, but it also gets a reasonable workout some evenings.

Today I noticed that I can hear a small amount of noise coming from the pump, like a very light rapid tapping. It seems that this noise varies with the speed of the pump. In the attached video you can most easily hear this at the 60% level, but it is also audible at 20% even with the case side on.

My guess is that air has now moved up to the pump.

(Apologies for the incoming storm of questions )

• Will I be damaging the pump if it runs making this sound?
• The sound appears to disappear below 19% 1000rpm and my temps are ok at this speed (when idling and citrix). Until I can take other action, is it ok to run at this speed?
• I can see it is possible to top up the AIO via the 3rd port on the Pump block. Would you recommend doing this and what fluid should I use ideally?
• Given the current covid situation, if I can't get hold of the ideal fluid, can I top up with distilled water? If I do, will I need to flush and top up with recommended fluid when it is available?

Alternatively, please tell me I've jumped to completely the wrong conclusion ;-)

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[AlSki]

Hmm video missing. Trying again

 

[AlSki]

Plan C https://1drv.ms/v/s!AidHsn_zvDoVloI21jk6p4x8WpWBGw?e=A6N3Nq

 

[Metropolis34]

Hi, I like Plan C This sounds very much like you mention to air in the system. Have you tried to shake the radiator to get the air out? If the pump runs dry the axis of it could be damaged. We recommend to run the pump not under 1600 RPM. 1000 RPM is too slow you will not have enough flow. It is indeed this is the fill port of the system. If it needs to be filled just distelled water with anti corrosion fluid should be fine. At the moment we have huge delays due the Corona issue. If you do not want to wait that long i would advise to get some fluid in a local store.

 

[AlSki]

Thanks for getting back to me Metropolis.

Have you tried to shake the radiator to get the air out?
Not sure what you mean there. If this wasn't the AIO, and had a reservoir to collect the air in, then that would make sense to me, but since this is the AIO, unless I top up, am I not just moving it around the system, possibly mixing the air into the water so it temporarily is ok, but then over time it will build up in the pump again?
I can do this, but it feels like I need to combine with fluid top up. Or am I missing something here?

We recommend to run the pump not under 1600 RPM
Excellent, I couldn't find that anywhere in the manual.
Can't run it over 900rpm without tapping now, so I have dropped the original stock cooler back on for now. (Its annoying already)

I would advise to get some fluid in a local store.
Assuming you mean Cape Kelvin Catcher
Annoyingly, Amazon nothing until 29th.
Overclockers.co.uk, scan.co.uk, all out. Any other suggestions?

Fortunately I can get some distilled water from the wife's lab...

 

[Metropolis34]

Not sure what you mean there.

Please check the video below. It is the same block like the LT;

Annoyingly, Amazon nothing until 29th.
Overclockers.co.uk, scan.co.uk, all out. Any other suggestions?

It is very hard at the moment to keep the availability of the products. Nearly all the transport ways are closed the only option we have is train. You need to wait i am affraid or get distilled water from wife,s lab You need to check the system from time to time for it,s fluid level mate. If needed you have to fill the system new. Water cooling is bit complexer than air.

 

[AlSki]

Please check the video below
Yes that makes it clear.

You need to check the system from time to time for it,s fluid level mate
I was assuming that the sealed nature of the AIO would mean that wasn't necessary. No problem now that I know, but I can't find anything in the manual that came with it that makes this clear. Maybe they could add a maintenance section in the next revision ?

Thanks again.

[Also your English is very good, but we would normally say "Water Cooling is a bit more complex than air". Hope this helps ]

 

[Eddy]

We have it not in the manual, because it is not simple to fill it for an enduser. And normaly we dont want it. Its more interesting for us if we have some RMA of it. It is possible.... but if you want a refillable AIO the normal Eisbaer is better because of the bigger reservoir.

 

[Metropolis34]

"Water Cooling is a bit more complex than air". Hope this helps

Thank you for that appreciate it very much

 

[AlSki]

And normaly we dont want it. Its more interesting for us if we have some RMA of it.
Ok, so would you like to investigate this one? At this point I haven't yet opened up the AIO, so it is still as originally supplied, just installed, run, and uninstalled. I even have the original packaging.

 

[Metropolis34]

May i ask where you are from?

 

[AlSki]

United Kingdom
Near Birmingham

 

[Metropolis34]

Well you can send us the unit back for an invastigation. We will check it and repair/replace if needed.

 

[AlSki]

That doesn't sound like you think it is necessary (but it may just be the language barrier so please tell me if I am wrong, English is so finnicky).

I am currently happy with the diagnosis and happy to top up with distilled water as above. I only offered because of Eddy's comment.

Ideally I want to get the AIO back in as quickly as possible...

 

[Metropolis34]

Indeed I dont think it is necessary (to invastigate the AIO) because i am 100 % sure it is air in the system. A damaged pump sounds totaly different. Please let us know after refilling the kit (i think the sound will disappear after that)

 

[AlSki]

There was lots and lots of shaking of rad and a little on the pump block too. Eventually I think I discovered the right technique and by rolling the pump block I got several bubbles out. I may yet fill up some more as I think I heard a bit of noise when I first started up, but for the moment it is silent and running at 1600 rpm+.


Thanks again.

 

[Metropolis34]

You are welcome buddy Please continiue to observe the system. You can contact us any time you want.