Tig Torch Cooler

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Here is my home made cooler, I designed it to fit on the back of my welder out of the way so not to take up any extra work bench space (my welder is parked under the work bench). I originally had a transmission cooler in line between the pump and the relief valve but it was not doing much with the large surface area of the reservoir and the fan on the back of the welder. The pump motor is a 1/4 hp, the pump is a 25GPH 140psi relief, and the pressure relief valve is set at 50psi, this way the water does not relieve into the intake side of the pump continuously heating up the water and pump. All together this cost about $150-$200, $50 in just machined aluminum fittings (fill cap and NPT bungs).-Dan Attached Images
Reply:Am I right in understanding that you have 50 psi running thru the torch tubes/cables ? ?  ? if so, expect to be buying new cables soon......Your torch appears to be a weldcraft ?...I believe they call for 25 psi max in the lines...check into it otherwise a nice build -Graham-Mechanical EngineerAutosport Mechanic/Fabricator
Reply:The torch specs areWater flow 1qt./min. (0.946 L/min.) Maximum pressure 50 psi (3.448 BAR) At 50PSI I only get a little more then 1 quart a minute right now. The commercially available coolers all run 50-60PSI.-Dan
Reply:Nice home-brew job.I'm welding quite a bit of Ali at the moment and have thought about building one myself as they have always been an expensive unit to purchase, however I have noticed new refrigerated unit are available now for as little as 150GBP (275USD), and at that price it's not worth the hassle
Reply:Originally Posted by Shox DrNice home-brew job.I'm welding quite a bit of Ali at the moment and have thought about building one myself as they have always been an expensive unit to purchase, however I have noticed new refrigerated unit are available now for as little as 150GBP (275USD), and at that price it's not worth the hassle
Reply:Originally Posted by StillBoostinWhere and what brand?Nice job.James
Reply:Looks good... is it just the photo, or does that tank bend to the left on the bottom?The Welder Shop has great deals and reviews on Hobart, Miller and Lincoln Welders.
Reply:Have you checked the temperature of the water entering the canister and what the temperature is as it leaves the canister to determine how much heat you are removing from the torch? I'm curious.Good judgement comes from experience.Experience comes from bad judgement.
Reply:Bend Question - The plate the pump and tank are attached to was bending in the picture, that is being cured with some 1" aluminum angle that I will be attaching this weekend. The temps question - I have not measured both temperatures at the same time, the setup I used to build this one was a 5 gallon pail with the same relief valve and a intake EFI fuel pump and I started off with 1 gallon of coolant and that went over 120* F after a couple full power AC welds, I stepped up to 2 gallons of coolant and shortly after added a 3rd. Since I Completed the tank and have got the lower volume pump (started with a 100GPH) I have not seen anything over the mid 90's in the tank after about 3 hours of welding aluminum practice welds at about 100 amps. If you curious as to weather a water cooled torch makes a difference YES, I had an old Airco air cooled torch and that thing was hot after 4 inches of weld at 100amps. AC welding seems to be the only thing that would really raise the temp of the coolant. -Dan
Reply:so, I take it you are relying on the amout of fluid in the tank to ensure cool fluid is being circulated.I have never seen a cooling system that does not have a radiator.If it  stays cool enough with the amount of welding you do- right on!!
Reply:Originally Posted by Mark...so, I take it you are relying on the amout of fluid in the tank to ensure cool fluid is being circulated.I have never seen a cooling system that does not have a radiator.If it  stays cool enough with the amount of welding you do- right on!!
Reply:Originally Posted by StillBoostinWhere and what brand?James
Reply:here you goebay item # 370062776020
Reply:Originally Posted by Shox Drhere you goebay item # 370062776020