Building a tig cooler

admin

HelloI'm thinking about building a simple tig cooler, because I want smaller torch (wp26 is pain in the ***). I have a little problem with pump. What kind of pump should I use. I see, that procon pump are often used, but I live in europe and It's hard to get them (and they are expensive). I was looking at those 12v marine pumps (flojet for example)... ...are they ok ? Kevin
Reply:Any pump that will meet the needed folw rate will do.  Look on Ebay there are always Procon pumps listed, find one with your flow rate or you can change the rate by changing out the spring. heres one for little over $100.http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CHYQ8wIwAQ#AEAD 200LE, Lincoln precision tig 185, Millermatic 251, Spectrum 625 extreme, Victor torch , Smithy 1220LTD. and  Do all C-4 band saw ,  Always adding.
Reply:Use a bronze body gear pump with a spring loaded ball pressure relief bypass.  I built a five gallon aluminum tank about forty years ago and changed the first gear pump (cast iron body) for a bronze body.  Half distilled water, half antifreeze.  Doesn't require much flow to cool the torch.  I've been using this thing all this time and still works great!MILLER 330 AB/PMILLER GOLD STAR 130KUBOTA BX24CASE MINI HAY PRESSBENCH MILLHYPERTHERM 45BABY HOSSFELD
Reply:There is a company on ebay that sells PROCON carbonator pumps speciffically set up for tig coolers. I think I paid $60 something for mine. I will try to find the company name for you, and you can send them an email explaining what the pump is for, they know the specs you will need...From my research most of the manufactred tig coolers use the PROCON carbonater pump.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:JC beverage company, is where I got my pump.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:on any of those procon pumps ,you want to check the pressure setting before you hook it to your torch,miller thunderbolt 250vlincoln square wave tig 175 prolincoln idealarc mig sp250everlast tig 210EXTeverlast power plasma 50chicago electric (hf) 130 tig/90 arcchicago electric 90 amp flux wire3 sets oxy/acet
Reply:He's in Europe, so your suggestions may be difficult for him.Kevin,If you look for places that sell and rebuild restaurant soda dispensing equipment you may be able to locate a European made carbonator. It's a pump and a small (2-5 gallon) tank that's used for forcing the carbon dioxide gas into tap water to make the carbonated (seltzer) water that is then mixed in the correct proportions with sweet syrup to make soda the soda. The pump and tank that they use for this application is what we like to find when we make our own TIG coolers. The pumps used in out TIG coolers and carbonators are made by a company called Procon and it's a USA based company, but there must be an equivalent pump that's being used in Europe to make carbonated water for soda fountains and it should be very similar in capability to ours. The brand name of the pump isn't important, so long as it is a brass or stainless body positive displacement pump capable of pumpiing 4 or more gallons per minute at 40 or more pounds per square inch (PSI) with an internal pressure relief that prevents the pump's output pressure from exceeding the relief's set pressure. Our carbonators run at about 100 PSI, so we adjust this pressure relief down to limit the pressure to 40 PSI when we re-use these pumps for TIG coolers. To make my TIG cooler I bought a used carbonator. It's a pump, motor, and small tank assembly that is complete assembly built on a stainless steel base (Procon pump, 2 gal stainless tank, and a 1/3 horsepower electric motor). After test running mine to be sure that the pump worked OK I disconnected all of the electrical controls and the interconnecting hoses that came with it. Then I purchased a new automotive add-on type of automatic transmission cooler (a small radiator with 3/8" aluminum line and aluminum fins) that is intended to be mounted in front of an automobile radiator and connected in series with the hydraulic oil return line from the automobile transmission. The one that I bought is about 14" long, 8" high, and 1" thick (a larger one will work, but it should have 3/8" hose connections).  I made an air plenum from thin sheet metal and installed two 3" muffin fans in it to constantly blow air through this radiator and mounted this whole radiator assembly to the side of the carbonator. Since all of the original hoses in the carbonator were 3/8" I chose to plumb my cooler with this same type and size hose, so I purchased the fittings and hose that I needed to complete the assembly plus some adapter fittings to convert these 3/8" hoses to join with the 1/4" hoses that are used with the water cooled TIG torch. Go to the following link to see photos of the one that I built. It's attached to the Miller DialArc HF that I restored. The welder usually sits motionless in the corner of the shop, but was pulled outside that day to take the pictures. The only time that this welder moves is when cleaning under it. On the cart it looks top heavy, but it's fine for the amount of travel that it does. Both the welder and the Cooler have performed flawlessly for several years now. The coolant is 50/50 distilled water and RV antifreeze. No problems with the coolant eitherhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=34034CharleyMiller 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:Ive been thinking about trying a windsheild washer pump from a car/truck for a tig cooler pump.  I just dunno how long it would last.
Reply:Originally Posted by jesusno2Ive been thinking about trying a windsheild washer pump from a car/truck for a tig cooler pump.  I just dunno how long it would last.
Reply:A windshield washer pump won't give you the flow or the pressure that you need. Centrifugal pumps, like those used in fountains, etc. will give you more than enough flow, but lack the pressure that is needed. You will need to find a positive displacement pump that can maintain at least 40 psi with a 4 gal per minute rate or you will melt your TIG torch. The Procon pumps have a very reliable positive displacement design that is ideal for a TIG cooler, and they are very easy to find used, rebuilt, or new. Find a company that services soda fountains near where you are and talk to them. A complete soda carbonator pump and tank in good condition can be had for $100 or less. You will get the Procon pump, a 1/3 hp motor, and a 2-5 gal stainless tank, all mounted on a stainless plate. All you will need to do to this is re-plumb it and lower the pump's relief valve pressure by adjusting it down from 100 psi to 40 psi and add an automobile automatic transmission cooler radiator and a cooling fan. The carbonator electronics package can be completely trashed and the motor just wired with a cord and plug. Mine is plugged into the outlet on my welder, so it is always on whenever the welder is on. This keeps me from forgetting to turn it on and off. The total material cost of my DIY TIG cooler was about $200. This included buying the used carbonator.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:thanks for answers !Yes I know how tig cooler works, the only problem is that I live in EU. I will try to find eu version of procon pumps, otherwise I'll try to get it from usa, but I guess, that postage and taxes can be bit high. The thing is, that I have only 160 amp dc tig, but I'll buy new one(250-300 ac/dc) this summer and I want complete water cooled set-up, but those water coolers are expensive (except chinese ones, which I don't like).Only one question- I found some procon pumps, but they come without motor. Can I use standard motor to drive the pump (with some modifications) ?Last edited by ravselj; 01-30-2012 at 02:30 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by CharleyLYou will need to find a positive displacement pump that can maintain at least 40 psi with a 4 gal per minute rate or you will melt your TIG torch.
Reply:here we go ! I bought a used systec pump without motor. I have few used motors in my garage. How poweful should motor be ? I think that 0.2-0.3 kW should be enought.I'll probably build cooler without heat exchanger like MikeGyver, I'll rather use 10l (2,6 galon) tank, but I'll leave enought place for future upgrades.That's the pump...
Reply:Here u go I have built a couple from this type.They never even get warm.Tank pump motor all there just clean it up add your lines and there it is all that for 50.00.Now that is a no brain er.The pump is adjustable has a strainer all the work is done for you.http://www.ebay.com/itm/McCanns-Beve...item4ab3cb89bcYou could build it in a couple of nites real easy.My2¢V
Reply:Can I ask a stupid question, but can it be hooked to a garden hose, and just run the return down the drain?Bruce DeLaetHeavy Equipment Mechanic and Welder1948 SA-200 short hood1949 LincWelder 1801963 SA-200 red faceMiller S-32-P
Reply:Originally Posted by ravseljhere we go ! I bought a used systec pump without motor. I have few used motors in my garage. How poweful should motor be ? I think that 0.2-0.3 kW should be enought.I'll probably build cooler without heat exchanger like MikeGyver, I'll rather use 10l (2,6 galon) tank, but I'll leave enought place for future upgrades.
Reply:Originally Posted by delaet20Can I ask a stupid question, but can it be hooked to a garden hose, and just run the return down the drain?
Reply:Originally Posted by delaet20Can I ask a stupid question, but can it be hooked to a garden hose, and just run the return down the drain?
Reply:Originally Posted by delaet20Can I ask a stupid question, but can it be hooked to a garden hose, and just run the return down the drain?
Reply:Tagged"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:$ 9 dollar pond / fountain pump from harborfreight.com and a 5 gallon bucket = 90 gph for 12-13$ bux .....was at a freinds the other day who owns a couple of syncs , then we stopped to see another buds new dialarc having to use this set-up ...just until he finds real cooler on CL for $100        thermal arc 252i  -  millermatic 350P -   miller XMT, cp300ts, 30a 22a feeders, buttload of other millers, handfull of lincolns, couple of esabs  -   Hypertherm 1250 G3
Reply:Originally Posted by woi2ld$ 9 dollar pond / fountain pump from harborfreight.com and a 5 gallon bucket = 90 gph for 12-13$ bux .....was at a freinds the other day who owns a couple of syncs , then we stopped to see another buds new dialarc having to use this set-up ...just until he finds real cooler on CL for $100
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverHow is that pump going to work if it can't build pressure? The specs show 2.3ft of head max (1psi deadheaded). It looks like a centrifugal pump; high volume, low pressure, which is opposite of what you really need to push flow through a small restriction.