Water coolant

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So I went ahead and picked up a tweco-tc900 on ebay and would like to know what coolant I need. Will straight up distiller water work or do I need the coolant?
Reply:I recently bought a used Coolmate 3. I read up on this trying to determine what to use. If you do not have any danger of freezing, distilled water is supposed to be fine. Miller recommends their coolant made with ethylene glycol diluted 50/50, but it is $25-30/gallon and you have to buy 4 gallons. The guy I bought it from said he just used windshield washer fluid for years. I have tried to find any information either for or against using it and did not find anything substantial either way. This week-end I drained the cooler, flushed it for 10 minutes with clear water, and refilled with new windshield washer fluid. It is good to 0 degrees, which will cover our area. The stuff I drained looked pretty clean, nothing growing in it or even dirty. Torch seems to work fine, so unless somebody has a reason I should replace it with the expensive coolant, I plan to keep it. Seems to me it would be as good as distilled water.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:It will work, but a lubricate additive is a good idea. It's already in the coolant which is why they recommend it.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:RV antifreeze has worked for me for the last 5 years. I use a 50/50 mix with distilled water, but the temps here rarely go below about +10 deg F.I leave it in year round with no problems.. If you are in colder areas you may need a different mix.Charley.Miller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleIt will work, but a lubricate additive is a good idea. It's already in the coolant which is why they recommend it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255I'm pretty sure that the MSDS on Miller TIG coolant lists it as pure EG and water with nothing else added.  Apparently the silicates added to automotive AF can clog up your torch.I'd be afraid that the alcohol in WW fluid would slowly degrade the torch lines-kinda like the ethanol in gas is now doing to cars.That being said I use, and know others that use, Propylene Glycol auto AF with no problems.You can buy pure EG online, but it kinda gets pricey.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleWater + copper = won't last forever.
Reply:Where is the copper coming from? The torch head body or the radiator? Doesn't seem that would be enough to cause damage, but that's why I never did well in chemistry.Isn't propylene an alcohol chain? See I did at least take chemistry classes. Why would dilluted alcohol damage the lines? I think the problem with ethanol in gasoline for small engines is the varnish that is created when stored. Somebody will probably better explain this part to me.I guess if the guy I bought it from ran windshield washer fluid for many years, it is a 1996 model Coolmate, and the lines are still good, then I'll just chance it. I can almost buy a new torch for the price of the Miller coolant.Last edited by wb4rt; 05-21-2013 at 08:20 AM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinWhy not?
Reply:This thread talks about some of these issues:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...ht=tig+coolantPost 45, soutthpaw says he also uses RV antifreeze.Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleThe copper will corrode over time and eventually you may hear a loud 'POP' and the cable breaks while welding. They don't last forever. If you get 5 years out of it from daily use I would be surprised..
Reply:We use Dynaflux Defense 929 antifreeze/pump lube.  Don't want the cooler freezing in the unheated shop.  $19. a gallon, mix 50/50 with distilled water.http://weldingdirect.com/coolpumlubfo.html"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinHave you ever had this happen? Seems to me that even if the coolant was an electrolyte – which it shouldn't be – the copper should be the last thing to corrode, and only after all the aluminum in the radiator has been consumed as an anode...copper is probably more galvanically "noble" than any metal in the entire welding machine...But again, this is only theory. If you've seen copper conductors corrode out in tig lines, I'm certainly not disputing you. It just sounds wacky.
Reply:The only rotating seal is in the pump and it's usually ceramic.  I use RV antifreeze straight from the jug but you can use propoylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.  Ethylene glycol is poison if ingested, it causes kidney failure, immediately.Propoylene Glycol is whats in RV antifreeze and it's used in the baking indusrty as a dough extender.Lubricating seals is phooey.  That went out with old cars and rubber rotating seals and both automotive type ethylene and ptopoylene glycol blends have an additive package with anti-corrosion inhibitors and lubrication.Plain distilled or Deionized water has the best heat transfer rate over glycol.If you are below freezing in an unheated shop. glycol.
Reply:I use rv antifreeze my machine calibration and repair guy said that its pretty much what the miller coolant is minus the Ripoff price tagMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleI've seen it happen twice.
Reply:Haha, that's funny.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtIsn't propylene an alcohol chain? See I did at least take chemistry classes. Why would dilluted alcohol damage the lines? I think the problem with ethanol in gasoline for small engines is the varnish that is created when stored. Somebody will probably better explain this part
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtWhere is the copper coming from? The torch head body or the radiator? Doesn't seem that would be enough to cause damage, but that's why I never did well in chemistry.Isn't propylene an alcohol chain? See I did at least take chemistry classes. Why would dilluted alcohol damage the lines? I think the problem with ethanol in gasoline for small engines is the varnish that is created when stored. Somebody will probably better explain this part to me.I guess if the guy I bought it from ran windshield washer fluid for many years, it is a 1996 model Coolmate, and the lines are still good, then I'll just chance it. I can almost buy a new torch for the price of the Miller coolant.
Reply:This company states don't use as a heat transfer fluid.http://www.recochem.com/en/support/faq/outdoor_living/V
Reply:Originally Posted by VinnieThis company states don't use as a heat transfer fluid.http://www.recochem.com/en/support/faq/outdoor_living/V
Reply:In the early days of Oberdorfer pumps, and 50 gallon tanks without radiators, we used emulsified(soluble) oil. I still do. My ProCon pumps thank me.Weld like a "WELDOR", not a wel-"DERR" MillerDynasty700DX,Dynasty350DX4ea,Dynasty200DX,Li  ncolnSW200-2ea.,MillerMatic350P,MillerMatic200w/spoolgun,MKCobraMig260,Lincoln SP-170T,PlasmaCam/Hypertherm1250,HFProTig2ea,MigMax1ea.
Reply:Originally Posted by VinnieThis company states don't use as a heat transfer fluid.http://www.recochem.com/en/support/faq/outdoor_living/V
Reply:Originally Posted by shovelonIn the early days of Oberdorfer pumps, and 50 gallon tanks without radiators, we used emulsified(soluble) oil. I still do. My ProCon pumps thank me.