water cooled tig

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does anyone know if you can put regular anti feeze in the tank of the tig welder?Charliesmom
Reply:Yes, you can...http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...cooling+liquidJohn -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I have used one gallon of DexCool to 6 gallons of water in my homemade water circulator for close to 15 years. It seems to stay clean and I've yet to have a clog or anything growing in there. DexCool doesn't have phosphates, etc so it seemed to be the best choice. I only change it when I feel guilty.If you want to spend a lot of money for little benefit, get your self three or four gallons of pre-cut Miller or other coolant solution for $25 a gallon. It will make you and the LWS owner feel better but the torch wil not be any cooler.I would suggest that distilled water would be a good choice for the basic coolant. Bernard says that plain tap water will be OK so it's up to the owner, I guess.Last edited by gnm109; 02-07-2008 at 11:38 AM.Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:I would NOT use ORDINARY anti-freeze . It clogged mine up (the pump) , but, i was lazy &didn't change it for a few years. since i got my pump repaired , i used only water & had no problems. But, it don't get too cold here . Sometimes 28-29degrees in winter. Napa, Calif.[SIZE="5"Yardbird"
Reply:Originally Posted by charliesmomdoes anyone know if you can put regular anti feeze in the tank of the tig welder?
Reply:thanks for all the input!!!Charliesmom
Reply:The only thing you really need to be careful about is if you are often welding above about 150A.  The main benefit from brandname coolants is that they have "low-conductivity".  High currents with anti-freeze or water can produce an electrolysis effect in your cooling circuit.  The biggest thing you might notice is that your brass or copper fittings become eroded from the inside.  The same effect can occur with your recirculator.Otherwise, you'll be fine.
Reply:Unless you are in an area that actually dips below freezing, there's no point in running anything except distilled water for TIG coolant. By desgn I live in an area that seldom freezes.  Eat your collective hearts out.    Miller Millermatic 252Miller Syncrowave 200Liincoln AC-DC 225Victor O-A Set
Reply:Originally Posted by Chris weldsThe only thing you really need to be careful about is if you are often welding above about 150A.  The main benefit from brand name coolants is that they have "low-conductivity".  High currents with anti-freeze or water can produce an electrolysis effect in your cooling circuit.  The biggest thing you might notice is that your brass or copper fittings become eroded from the inside.  The same effect can occur with your recirculator.Otherwise, you'll be fine.