For TIG weldors whose machines have coolers, What Coolant?

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I'm getting ready to commission my Miller Syncrowave 350lx. Have 100 amps of power to it and now need to add 3 gallons of coolant.  Machine label says use Miller "low conductivity anti-freeze". Apparently the suggestion is that some anti-freeze formulas are conductive during high freq use. Also says can use distilled water or de-ionized water, but not below 32 degrees.Welder is in an exterior shed tight to the house. I'm in the Tidewater area of Virginia and we do get some 20 degree weather in the winter, but not much of it.What do you suggest? (I'm not paying Miller's price for the coolant.)Anything wrong with just adding normal anti-freeze to the distilled water?Does any particular brand of anti-freeze give "low conductivity"?Anything wrong with just using automobile windshield washer fluid?Thanks for any opinions based on experience.JerryLast edited by storeman; 07-10-2014 at 09:34 PM.Reason: Clarity30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Thanks Steve.  Expensive machine.....big investment....maybe I ought to rethink my objection to Miller's prices.Jerry30+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:I too am running the Miller coolant. Unless you break a hose it lasts a long time.
Reply:Right now I use 1 gallon water, and 1 gallon of tig coolantTorchmate 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:i use the RV pink coolant straight works fine been using it for years with no problems (coolit II water cooler)My welder repair tech at arcos said dex cool is pretty much miller coolant without the miller price food for thought. they are a miller authorized repair centerMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Is the cooler new?  Using other than Miller coolant will void the warranty.
Reply:Originally Posted by HeartdocIs the cooler new?  Using other than Miller coolant will void the warranty.
Reply:Jerry,  We use the Dynaflux 929 antifreeze, the concentrate.  http://weldingsupplies.dynaflux.com/category/coolants  I figure since they make TIG coolers and a lot of chemicals, they ought to know what is safe.  I think it was about $18. per gallon and we used about a 50/50 dilution 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:Jerry,I'll take some flack for this I'm sure, but FWIW when I bought my 1996 Syncrowave from an axle shop, he said all he had ever run was windshield washer fluid. I changed it, added new a year ago, and not had any problems, yet. My shop is well insulated, and when it got so very cold this past winter I kept a little heat on for insurance.I know it's not recommended, but after nearly 20 years, it seems to have worked.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:TrimSol. One part concentrate to 9 parts De-mineralized water. Yeah, I know, but then I run my coolant backwards too.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:Thanks all. Not used to this Tappatalk.JerrySent from my C771 using Tapatalk 230+ yrs Army Infantry & Field Artillery, 25 yrs agoMiller 350LX Tig Runner TA 210, spool gunLincoln 250/250 IdealArcESAB PCM 500i PlasmaKazoo 30"  vert BSKazoo 9x16 horiz BSClausing 12x24 lathe20T Air Press
Reply:Thanks.  Appreciate your response.Jerry Originally Posted by OldendumJerry,  We use the Dynaflux 929 antifreeze, the concentrate.  http://weldingsupplies.dynaflux.com/category/coolants  I figure since they make TIG coolers and a lot of chemicals, they ought to know what is safe.  I think it was about $18. per gallon and we used about a 50/50 dilution with distilled water.http://weldingdirect.com/coolpumlubfo.html
Reply:Thanks Burt. Originally Posted by wb4rtJerry,I'll take some flack for this I'm sure, but FWIW when I bought my 1996 Syncrowave from an axle shop, he said all he had ever run was windshield washer fluid. I changed it, added new a year ago, and not had any problems, yet. My shop is well insulated, and when it got so very cold this past winter I kept a little heat on for insurance.I know it's not recommended, but after nearly 20 years, it seems to have worked.
Reply:Not familiar with Trimsol.  Is it generally available?Jerry Originally Posted by shovelonTrimSol. One part concentrate to 9 parts De-mineralized water. Yeah, I know, but then I run my coolant backwards too.
Reply:Thanks.  I had read about windshield washer use before.  Interesting results.  Thanks.Jerry Originally Posted by wb4rtJerry,I'll take some flack for this I'm sure, but FWIW when I bought my 1996 Syncrowave from an axle shop, he said all he had ever run was windshield washer fluid. I changed it, added new a year ago, and not had any problems, yet. My shop is well insulated, and when it got so very cold this past winter I kept a little heat on for insurance.I know it's not recommended, but after nearly 20 years, it seems to have worked.
Reply:This is an interesting thread. I doubt I'll pay Miller's price next time after I looked up the composition.  It's basically, half de-ionized water and half ethylene glycol with a small amount of algaecide of some kind. I didn't find any inhibitors and such like automobile antifreeze. It states it is low conductivity. Not sure how that compares to auto antifreeze. It's possible some of the additives in auto antifreeze may increase conductivity compared to plain ethylene glycol.http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/msds/Coolant043810.pdfThe MSDE states:Ethylene glycol  55.0%Deionized water 44.9%Proprietary         0.1%Also, interestingly, the MSDE indicates the mix is made for miller by Star Bright.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireThis is an interesting thread. I doubt I'll pay Miller's price next time after I looked up the composition.  It's basically, half de-ionized water and half ethylene glycol with a small amount of algaecide of some kind. I didn't find any inhibitors and such like automobile antifreeze. It states it is low conductivity. Not sure how that compares to auto antifreeze. It's possible some of the additives in auto antifreeze may increase conductivity compared to plain ethylene glycol.http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/msds/Coolant043810.pdfThe MSDE states:Ethylene glycol  55.0%Deionized water 44.9%Proprietary         0.1%Also, interestingly, the MSDE indicates the mix is made for miller by Star Bright.
Reply:I use GM dexcool, we have the same welders 350lx syncrowave. 50/50 with distilled water
Reply:I use straight water....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by That Guy ThereI use GM dexcool, we have the same welders 350lx syncrowave. 50/50 with distilled water
Reply:Automobile antifreeze is NOT good for TIG coolers! The additives in it are designed to seal small leaks and are also good at clogging the small passages in the torch. Windshield solvent is not a good idea either as it contains alcohol which lowers the boiling point.RV antifreeze is better but I have had problems with mold growing in the cooler with it. Distilled water is fine if it is not in a location where it will freeze.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:We've used RV antifreeze and distilled water 50-50 mix for years and never had any problems. It can sometimes get cold in our shop, probably 10-15 degrees and we've never found any ice crystals in the coolant.CharleyMiller 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 storemanNot familiar with Trimsol.  Is it generally available?Jerry
Reply:Originally Posted by Silicon-basedAutomobile antifreeze is NOT good for TIG coolers! The additives in it are designed to seal small leaks and are also good at clogging the small passages in the torch. Windshield solvent is not a good idea either as it contains alcohol which lowers the boiling point.RV antifreeze is better but I have had problems with mold growing in the cooler with it. Distilled water is fine if it is not in a location where it will freeze.John
Reply:As above.  The MSDS on miller coolant lists it as pure Ethylene Glycol and water.   Automotive AF is just EG with silicates added.  The silicates are supposed to be the problem.Toyota Red AF is supposed to be the best to use.  I use RV antifreeze (propylene glycol) plus distilled water in mine.  No problems.Not all automotive antifreeze have silicates or leak stoppers in them. Dexcool does not.Use whatever you want we all have a preference, miller coolant is just a rip off to me IMOMillermatic 211Miller Syncrowave 350lx with cooler and tigrunner Thermal Dynamics cutmaster 811955 National Cylinder Gas O/A setup with original patina
Reply:Originally Posted by That Guy ThereNot all automotive antifreeze have silicates or leak stoppers in them. Dexcool does not.Use whatever you want we all have a preference, miller coolant is just a rip off to me IMO