TIG torch water cooler on the cheap??

Wow, not trying to talk you into it...different subject, but why a 220 chiller? Just b/c your rig is 220, that doesn't mean you need to run a 220v chiller does it?
 
Nutfarmer said:
I just run water through the torch from the hose bib and move the discharge hose once in awhile to water the shrubs around the house.
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This is the same thing I do. For the amount of high current tig that I do. Any other set-up would be a waste of time and money.
 
I have an old Teledyne cooler, that’s about 3 to 4 times the size of the current welder...
 
I'm in the bucket camp. If you want a cooler on the cheap it don't get much cheaper than that. I run a small submersible pump in a 7 gallon plastic tote. I like the tote because it's clear, has a lid and fits perfectly on the bottom shelf of my welder stand.

I tried adding some antifreeze to keep bacteria/algae from forming but it still did eventually. When I flushed it out I used tap water and a splash of bleach. It's been fine for about two years now. The only down side is that I have to remember to plug in the pump before welding and unplug when finished. One time I forgot and it ran all night, it's so quiet I didn't even notice.

When I first started building a cooler I tried to run the water through a radiator I harvested from an old air conditioner. The pump couldn't push the water through the dozens of feet of tubing so I abandoned the idea. You'd have to do a crap load of high amp welding to heat up 7 gallons of water to the point that it's no longer effective at heat transfer.
 
I have a 45 XP, and a coolmate 3.... :cautious: :)
 
I pulled the trigger last night and ordered the coolmate 300 220v. I wanted to go with the 220, since I already have welder hooked up to 220, I can just plug cooler right into back of welder and they both turn on and off at same time.
 
Csxal said:
I pulled the trigger last night and ordered the coolmate 300 220v. I wanted to go with the 220, since I already have welder hooked up to 220, I can just plug cooler right into back of welder and they both turn on and off at same time.
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Csxal,
That’s the real deal. Cooling capacity one liter per minute with a three gallon tank right?
On Miller’s site, it’s the only one with the 220 option.
Well done sir. I’m jealous.

I just realized, I started this thread Back in March.
I’m asking if anyone has experience with the ubiquitous blue EBay $250 Tig water coolers??
Did you buy one?
How is it working for you?
 
A water cooler not a sophisticated system. The only reason to pay a premium is for parts support and reliability. That said, I have a Miller white face radiator that is older than dirt and still going strong.
 
Janderso said:
Csxal,
That’s the real deal. Cooling capacity one liter per minute with a three gallon tank right?
On Miller’s site, it’s the only one with the 220 option.
Well done sir. I’m jealous.

I just realized, I started this thread Back in March.
I’m asking if anyone has experience with the ubiquitous blue EBay $250 Tig water coolers??
Did you buy one?
How is it working for you?
Click to expand...

2 gallon tank
 
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