Is there a down side to putting a chiller on a closed loop?

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

it would be a simple loop, 1 intake 2 tank returns. The chiller would be mounted 4 foot above the water line. Intake would be on the over flow side, returns would be on the opposite side of display from intake. Temp probe to control this would be placed near the intake bulkhead. Thoughts?

 

[KrisReef]

The only thing that might complicate the operation is that you have to have water and a pump to push the cooling water uphill.
A dry pump or bubbles from overflow splash need to be avoided.
If the pump fails the chiller will be dry and running to lower tank temperature until it freezes or automatically turns off.

I have run a chiller with a pump from the sump to a chiller that sits near tank level and a submerged return into the sump for many years of faithful service. If your loop ends remain submerged (pump & return) your elevated chiller should remain full of water even in power / pump outages.

 

[DCR]

Chillers take a lot of head loss to work properly and require a pretty high-head pump. If you are not relying on the closed loop for a significant part of the total tank recirculation, I think it would be OK. As noted above, not sure about the wisdom of setting it 4 ft above the water line. It will partially drain on a loss of circulation. May not be a problem - just unconventional

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

This is my second system that will have a chiller. My first is very conventional. L2 in sump with chiller dumping in the return chamber. Chiller is at the exact level to the sump as indicated in the instruction, with the chiller remotely located outside.

My new system (much much smaller) is in a utility room in my garage.
- I only have 2 options to place the chiller where it is not in the same room as the tank. 1) Outside. This room has an exterior wall, the tank is not on this wall but I can easily get the water lines outside. 2) place the unit in the garage. The only open space on the wall to mount it is 4 feet above the waterline.
- I can have a dedicated loop only for the chiller with its own L2
- I can plumb a 1” line off the displays main closed loop manifold powered by a hammerhead using gate valve to manage flow.
- below is the chiller I am using. I’ve had it several years and it works fine. If it blows, I’m going to get another 1.5hp identical to my other outdoor chiller.
- The chiller will be managed via a EB4
- this chiller is not rated for outdoors. I can build a weather break for it with the unit getting plenty of air, but, that is not ideal for several reasons. Mostly, It is simply not rated for that.

-