A computer in mineral oil

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Yes, the computer will continue to work. Mineral oil is non-conductive and is used in transformers as a cooling oil. It can also be used as brake fluid amongst a plethora of other uses.
 
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I was working on a sump type pump once and opened a chamber not meant to be opened. After spilling out most of the oil inside and around the motor, I called the manufacture who said I would replace it with mineral oil. Did that and it works just fine. Never had a use for that stuff till then.
 
I guess you really do learn something new everyday. I'll let you try it on your computer, though, vs. mine and take your word for it!

Who sits around and thinks "gee, I wonder what will happen if I submerge this computer in a bucket of mineral oil?"
 
Yes, mineral oil is non-conductive. There are many large high voltage cables strung in conduits filled with mineral oil. It also dissipates heat. It sure makes a mess when they spring a leak!
 
Well, the main purpose I have seen for this is for people wanting to overclock thier machine <run it at a higher speed than the cpu is rated for>. As Stolicky said, it dissipates heat, which is the main reason for burning out your cpu. As for soaking them in mineral spirits, that's a woodworker for ya! We go with what we know :)
 
I have it on good authority that the mineral oil acts as a lubricant, and enables the electron flow to speed up, thereby increasing computer speed. The same thing can be accomplished by coating the power cable and USB cables with petroleum jelly, for the same reason--speeds up electron flow. [As an aside, I have a spectacular bridge I'd like to entertain offers on!]
 
cozee said:
Yes, the computer will continue to work. Mineral oil is non-conductive and is used in transformers as a cooling oil. It can also be used as brake fluid amongst a plethora of other uses.
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I think that is a sort of limited yes. The hard drive is sealed so it probably wouldn't be affected; but I suspect any floppy drive, CD drive or DVD drive would not operate correctly if at all.
 
railrider1920 said:
Hi Folks,
This is crazy. The guy puts a computer in an aquarium and then fills it up with mineral oil and it works.

I saw an episode of How It's Made where they were putting together transformers that hang on telephone poles. They are filled with mineral oil as well. Why does this work? Will the computer continue to work?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtufuXLvOok
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PCB's were used in transformers at one time. Don't know if they still are...

However a transformer fire at the company I worked for caused the fire dept to evacuate everybody from the building. It seems the combustion products of the PCB's burning are quite poisonous!

Only firemen with breathing apparatus were allowed in the building. Many people evacuated without their keys etc... Made a mess....
 
randyrls said:
PCB's were used in transformers at one time. Don't know if they still are...

However a transformer fire at the company I worked for caused the fire dept to evacuate everybody from the building. It seems the combustion products of the PCB's burning are quite poisonous!

Only firemen with breathing apparatus were allowed in the building. Many people evacuated without their keys etc... Made a mess....
Click to expand...

Somthing happened like this in Marion, IL. Though it wasn't a transformer but some black box directly in line with the power lines (I think it was somthing to stabalize the line voltage). It blew up and cought the roof a restaraunt on fire a block away. Very dangerous stuff when it gets too hot.
 
I have been running my ole PC with a 6" PVC as a sealed reservoir for 11 gallons of windshield cleaner fluid as a coolant for well over five years. This system rarely gets over 113 degrees regardless of what applications I am running. The fluid is pumped across a silver heat extractor device on the chip and came from Horse of Iron Mfg.

The setup replaced 11 high velocity fans and now I can almost hear myself think. At least I can hear folks on the telephone loud and clear!
 
Thats too bad about those fires. We have had squirrels play around on the transformers in my neighborhood. They have caused the power to go out a couple of times. I guess we are really luck that they didn't catch fire.


Fred, do you happen to have a picture of this type of a set up? Just wondering what it looks like and how it is connected to the PC.

Thanks for the info on the mineral oil and how it works with the electronics.
 
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