Hey Friends,
Here is another one out of my daily business:
Coolant for Mig and Tig Torches:
First, make shure your coolant is clean and in good shape. If there is dirt in the tank or algaes you need to clean it good with destilled water.
Torches have very small and fine channels where the coolant goes through. If these are clogged up you will get in serious problems.
Never Use Automotive Coolant or others that are not made for welders.
The result will be destroyed powercables and clogged up torches.
Also Automotive Coolants or tap water will have a high electric conductivity. On Tig Torches This will effect your HF Start, in the worst case the machine won’t start an arc at all.
On MIG Machines, where the Electrons flow the torch on positive Side the high conductivity will „eat up“ your power cable due to galvanic current.
So it is really important to take a look at your coolant to avoid expensive Torch Problems.
Tap water has a high electric conductivity so always use detailed water. If you are not shure what is in your tank flush it at least 3 Times with destilled water.
Change your coolant every 2 years, on a daily used machine once a year because conductivity gets higher every day from itself.
If your machine is in risk of freezing you don’t have to buy the expensive coolant. Just mix destilled water with 20% methylated spirits, that is exactly what manufacturers sell as their stuff.
Also take a Good Look at the Hoses and the Pump in the machine once a year. Imagine water coming out of a broken hose and spraying direct into your inverter… that would be really bad.
I hope this helps, have a good time :)
Kind regards
Christian