Homebrew TIG coolant?

[BumpyDodge]

I got a deal on a cooler for my TIG, but the "special" coolant for TIG coolers is $20/gallon at the local supply. Spending $60 on coolant seems a little ridiculous, but then again I've got a lot of money tied up in my equipment and don't want to take a chance on it. The weather here gets below freezing, so straight distilled water isn't a safe alternative. Supposedly the pink RV antifreeze is a suitable sub, but I'm a little hesitant to try it. Automotive antifreeze supposedly has some additives that can fawk up a TIG torch. The cooler is a Miller CoolMate 3 if that makes any difference. Besides all the "supposedly" info floating around the web, does anyone know the *actual* ingredients in TIG coolant?

[fj40charles]

Suck it up and use the proper coolant for you tig cooler. RV coolant will not work.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=16750&highlight=tig+coolant

[BumpyDodge]

My dad works water treatment so I can get deionized water. I could probably get pure ethylene glycol from an online supplier.

All in all you're probably right. Probably not worth the trouble to save a few dollars. I figure my warranty's still covered if I use their junk.

[DHONDAGOD]

With the high frequency EMF output of the TIG welder certain minerals and crap in the water/coolant mix can have a less than positive reaction causing issues later.

Im in the same boat but will step for the $$$ coolant for mine. Its not like it goes bad real fast.

If you happen to find a screamin' deal online for the stuff post up here. I know they dont give the stuff away around here.

Chris:cool2:

[Munchies]

dont forget algicide

[fj40charles]

With the high frequency EMF output of the TIG welder certain minerals and crap in the water/coolant mix can have a less than positive reaction causing issues later.

Im in the same boat but will step for the $$$ coolant for mine. Its not like it goes bad real fast.

If you happen to find a screamin' deal online for the stuff post up here. I know they dont give the stuff away around here.

Chris:cool2:

$22.00 shipped.

This is the recommended coolant for coolers with Procon pumps.

http://www.weldingsuppliesfromioc.com/servlet/the-1579/MILLER--300355-LOW/Detail

MILLER 300355 LOW CONDUCTIVITY COOLANT LUBRICANT FOR TIG GA
MILLER 300355 LOW CONDUCTIVITY COOLANT LUBRICANT FOR TIG GA

BRAND NEW ORIGINAL MILLER LOW CONDUCTIVITY COOLANT, LOW CONDUCTIVITY, LUBRICANT FOR TIG WELDER COOLERS. (300355) SOLD BY GALLON. OLD PART NUMBER 043810 FREE GROUND SHIPMENT TO ANY OF 48 CONTINENTAL STATES. .

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS MUST CONTACT US FOR ANY ADDITIONAL SHIPPING CHARGES.

We accept Paypal, ALL major credit cards, cashiers checks and money orders. You can call me at 866-854-7380 from 7:00AM-10:00PM ET 7 days a week with questions.

[Pin Head]

Deionized water and cheap vodka mixed at 3:1. Cheap, won't freeze at -0, bugs won't grow in it, non-conductive and if you get feeling low, you can drink it.

[MC]

Call your local welding store and they will tell you alot of guys run filtered water and engine coolant.

[BumpyDodge]

The lack of ions causes the water's resistivity to increase. Ultra-pure deionized water can have a theoretical maximum resistivity up to 18.31 MΩ·cm, compared to around 15 kΩ·cm for common tap water. Deionized water's high resistivity allows it, in some very highly specialized instances, to be used as a coolant in direct contact with high-voltage electrical equipment. Because of its high relative dielectric constant (~80), it is also used (for short durations) as a high voltage dielectric in many pulsed power applications, such as Sandia's Z Machine.

Deionizing water is the only way to make it non-conductive. Filtering or distilling water won't significantly change it's dielectric properties. FJ40charles killed this thread at post #2. He's right.

[Pin Head]

Deionizing water is the only way to make it non-conductive. Filtering or distilling water won't significantly change it's dielectric properties.

Distilling is just another way to deionize water.