what type of anti-freeze to us in hi frequency tig water cooler?

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Is it ok to use regular auto anti-freeze (ethanol glycol) in the water cooler for the tig torch when using hi frequency? thanksChris
Reply:Water with any automotive cooling system corrosion inhibitor
Reply:it works but i have found it leaves a sludge  and it does evaporate being kind of oily  it attracks dirt an dust easyer
Reply:Most units I have been associated with use 50/50 and it works very good.  JohnSMAW,GMAW,FCAW,GTAW,SAW,PAC/PAW/OFCand Shielding Gases.  There all here. :
Reply:Automotive anti-freeze is NOT recommended for use in closed system welding applications.  Additives in it can cause blockage in the torch head.Use the recommended coolant for your cooler.  Miller, as well as many other manufacturers, produce (or have produced) coolant specifically designed for cooling welding equipment (torches, guns, etc).There was a lengthy discussion on this topic on the Hobart board.  Go to their board and do a search.  Lot of discussion.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:If the system will not be exposed to freezing temperatures, you can use de-ionized or distilled.  Tap water can have too many dissolved minerals that can eventually clog a system, and which conduct electricity and therefore accelerate corrosion of the power cable.  Thermal Dymamics recommends de-ionized water for their plasma welding systems.If freezing is an issue, you need an anti-freeze/water mix (de-ionized or distilled).  I believe that Propylene Glycol, the anti-freeze used in RV water systems is probably what welding equipment suppliers are selling for their "special" coolant.  That is what I use in my system at home, since my garage is not heated.  No problems over the last couple of years.
Reply:Pulser,You are correct with regards to the use of deionized or distilled water as coolant (with algae inhibitors) in areas not subject to freezing.  It can be used but provides no lubrication to the pump.The use of RV antifreeze is also NOT recommended.  As you stated, most of these products use propylene glycol as the base.  Miller coolant (and I suspect, most others) use ethylene glycol as the base with deionized water.  The RV antifreeze, while not as bad as Automotive antifreeze, still has additives which react adversely to the HF in a tig torch.  For me, at $20+/- per gal (IOC) it's not worth taking a chance of ruining a $150 torch/hoses.  I've had the same coolant in my Sync 250 for over three years and it still looks great.As I mentioned before, there was a great deal of discussion/debate on this subject over on the Hobart board a while back.  Probably worth checking it out.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by SundownIIIFor me, at $20+/- per gal (IOC) it's not worth taking a chance of ruining a $150 torch/hoses.
Reply:anti-freeze clogged up my pump , so that it QUIT pumping, a few years ago. I had it repaired and only used water since then , with no problems . The anti freeze didn't hurt my torch, just the pump. My water cooler sits on the garage floor and it usually don't get much under freezing here in the beautiful NAPA valley , California . (my cooler is a BERNARD)[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Originally Posted by ToolCzarIs it ok to use regular auto anti-freeze (ethanol glycol) in the water cooler for the tig torch when using hi frequency? thanksChris