Tig Cooler Coolant ?

I am anticipating the arrival of my new Everlast Power Cool 300 soon, (this month I hope);) so I was wondering, do I need coolant ? It is not likely to freeze down here. Are there other benefits to having coolant like anti corrosion, rust inhibiting or just keeping the water from getting full of algae? Is there a brand that is better than the rest or are they about the same.Where is a good place to buy this coolant? Sorry for the string of questions but I just want to be ready when my cooler arrives.

I'm using RV anti freeze that's typically used for winterizing the plumbing so the lines don't burst.

I decided on it since 1.) I already had it and 2.) I did an Internet search and it was the most widely used after the welder type coolants.

I started with just using straight pink RV anti-freeze in my DIY cooler, then added some waterpump lube because the 12v intank fuel pump I was using was happier with something slippery and the anti-corrosion additive helped too. But, after about a month, algae started growing in the tank, instead of buying some algaecide (@ $10 for a small bottle), I quit the home mix and bought 2 gallons of "Industrial Suprene, low conductivity, antifreeze/coolant" ($20.50 / gal) at the LWS. It has all the above already in it.

Thanks for the replies, this is some good information. I will start to shop around now.

Is there any particular reason that we couldn't use dexcool ar at least a weak solution?
I have a Bernard 3 gallon water cooler and the LWS said to use distilled water and/or the official stuff he had (anchor brand version of miller's coolant, $14.75/gal.) I got the anchor brand, and it says it has ethylene glycol and deionized water and protects down to 19F. Sounds to me like watered doen antifreeze, minus the coloring.

Salty,
Distilled water is factory recommended for temperate climates.

Hooda, green and other auto antifreezes have a problem with "robbing" HF, making starts more difficult. RV or the stuff made for tig coolers is the only recommended product.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by performance

Salty,
Distilled water is factory recommended for temperate climates.

Hooda, green and other auto antifreezes have a problem with "robbing" HF, making starts more difficult. RV or the stuff made for tig coolers is the only recommended product.

---

Do you think I that the Distilled Water will grow algae down here in S. Fl. where its hot most of the time?

We use water wetter with distilled water in the race car it helps with heat dissipation bud not freezing, Here in NC my shop has never gone below 50 deg even with the heat off and overnight temps of 18 deg.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Salty

Do you think I that the Distilled Water will grow algae down here in S. Fl. where its hot most of the time?

---

Hey Salty,

Not quite there yet, but here's what I think will work for me.
Filtered condensate from the AC unit/dehumidifier in a 5 gal plastic container, and a pump.

Unless someone knows otherwise, this is close enough to distilled water for me.
When done welding, dump the water if need be. KISS principle.

squidd

find out what is in the 25.00 a gallon super juice as sold by whom, a welding manufacturer. Dexcool is exactly what welding super antifreeze juice is. Lower alkalinity, Contains NO silicates, resulting in longer lasting water pump and engine seals; longer shelf life. It is Nitrite-, borate-, phosphate-, nitrate- and amine-free. 100% biodegradable in its pure unused condition. It has extremely low conductivity, no acids and is made of ethylene glycol. You can pay 25.00 for Miller welding coolant if you want to. It's like buying bottled water. I don't buy bottled water which is the same crap that comes from your tap. To think differently is just displaying your ignorance. Dexcool mixed with softened water, distilled water or RO water will perform as well or better then the US welding manufactures super coolant juice. I invite anyone to prove me wrong. Show me a torch or cooler that has been compromised in any way by using soft water and Dexcool. The sheer reason Dexcool is used in many of today's cars is to prevent GALVANIC CORROSION of the aluminum radiator or engine parts exposed to the coolant mixture. If it were in any way conductive it would not prevent GV. It would cause it. HF bleed off? Are you kidding me? Once again prove to me that I get HF bleed off using H20 and Dexcool. Dexcool is my recommendation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denbent

find out what is in the 25.00 a gallon super juice as sold by whom, a welding manufacturer. Dexcool is exactly what welding super antifreeze juice is. Lower alkalinity, Contains NO silicates, resulting in longer lasting water pump and engine seals; longer shelf life. It is Nitrite-, borate-, phosphate-, nitrate- and amine-free. 100% biodegradable in its pure unused condition. It has extremely low conductivity, no acids and is made of ethylene glycol. You can pay 25.00 for Miller welding coolant if you want to. It's like buying bottled water. I don't buy bottled water which is the same crap that comes from your tap. To think differently is just displaying your ignorance. Dexcool mixed with softened water, distilled water or RO water will perform as well or better then the US welding manufactures super coolant juice. I invite anyone to prove me wrong. Show me a torch or cooler that has been compromised in any way by using soft water and Dexcool. The sheer reason Dexcool is used in many of today's cars is to prevent GALVANIC CORROSION of the aluminum radiator or engine parts exposed to the coolant mixture. If it were in any way conductive it would not prevent GV. It would cause it. HF bleed off? Are you kidding me? Once again prove to me that I get HF bleed off using H20 and Dexcool. Dexcool is my recommendation.

---

Not a good first impression.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by performance

Not a good first impression.

---

That was in case you miss the good natured jesting at WeldingWeb.

I just saw that post over there, too, dredged up a months old coolant thread. This post looks like a cut-and-paste, but he missed the first line.

For that matter what's the point anyway?
LWS TIG coolant $15.
Walmart Dexcool $14.27.

Miller coolant $25.
Anyone care to guess how much GM branded Dexcool is? I'm willing to bet at least $25.

So why even bother?

BTW I'll just add this as some extra flame bait. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...m_dexcool.html

Distilled water, add a capfull of bleach to deal with biostuff. Don't let freeze. Not difficult. S/F....Ken M

Sorry to get under your skin. Just checking to see what type of response I would get with a mildly controversial outdated subject. You showed me. you guys walked right into it. I'll not bother you again. Peace out.

Denbent

Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you"

You left only one door to walk through; if you sew controversy don't expect to reap peace.

i think ill go with coolant that is made for my cooler ,price difference isnt enough to haggle about to have peace of mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by denbent

Sorry to get under your skin. Just checking to see what type of response I would get with a mildly controversial outdated subject. You showed me. you guys walked right into it. I'll not bother you again. Peace out.

---

With a post like that, what response did you WANT? And you did it purposefully to flame the old thread?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by performance

And you did it purposefully to flame the old thread?

---

Yes, with an >identical< thread at welding web, posted a few minutes before this thread started. Same post count on both websites: he joined for the sole purpose of spamming this thread, here and at WW.

Some people get a thrill out of sticking their finger in brown stuff and spin it around..... maybe one day they will grow up.