Swiftech MCR X20 DRIVE REV3 - Manual (Page 2)

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Information subject to change without notice – Page 2
2. Installation orientation considerations and guidelines
The primary consideration in the notes below is safety. Because this type of
pump is not self-priming, it is essential to configure the liquid cooling system
so that it remains self-purging, in other words, that any air travelling through
the lines could never accumulate in the pump, thus causing coolant circulation
to stall.
In its default configurations, in other words vertical and right-side up, or
horizontal with pump ports facing down, the MCR Drive pump can never lose
its prime unless the coolant level was abnormally low. Therefore, as in any
other “open-loop” liquid cooling system it is essential to monitor the coolant
level every few months.
Alternate orientations to the factory default are discussed below, and may
require an additional reservoir to safely operate the MCR Drive.
(*1): Vertical upside-down orientation, typical of an installation behind the front
bezel, or at the back of the PC. This orientation would require an external
reservoir; however, it is not recommended because depending on the
reservoir location there is a risk for the pump of losing its prime if a sufficient
amount of air was to travel through the lines: this could result in catastrophic
failure of the cooling system. Additionally, it is not recommended to run the
pump upside-down.
(*2): Horizontal & inlet/outlet ports facing up, typical of an installation at the
bottom the PC. This configuration necessitates the use of an external
reservoir but is fully acceptable as long as that such reservoir will always be
located higher than the radiator.
(*3): On-the-edge orientation with pump at the bottom, typical of an installation
in a lower compartment of the PC. When used in this orientation the radiator
integrated reservoir will only be fully functional if completely filled-up.
Furthermore as the coolant level drops over time, the uppermost radiator
channel(s) may not circulate fluid, resulting in cooling performance
degradation. Use of an external reservoir located above the radiator is
required to avoid this risk.
(*4): On-the-edge orientation with pump at the top, typical of an installation in
a lower compartment of the PC. This orientation would require an external
reservoir; however, it is not recommended because depending on the
reservoir location there is a risk for the pump of losing its prime if a sufficient
amount of air was to travel through the lines: this could result in catastrophic
failure of the cooling system. Such orientation is ONLY acceptable if an
external reservoir was located completely above the radiator.
Advanced/Extreme applications:
It is also possible to install two MCR Drive in series. In such case it is
recommended to install one of the units in the factory recommended default
orientation; this will allow installation of the second unit in ANY orientation,
including the orientations listed above as not recommended. The reason is
that the primary unit in default orientation will naturally and safely purge any
air going thru the lines, thus eliminating any risk that the second pump might
stall.
(*2)
(*1)
(*3)
(*4)