5460 DV cooler FLOW ALARM !!

[tapwelder]

Yeah, you jogged my recollector. I used to operate a instrument that would go from room temp to 2000 degrees and back to room temp in seconds. The cooling unit would always look clean because the water was so hot. But hoses and like a would foul with algae because of the ideal temp/condition fo growth.

I tried bleach and glycerin, only really be never could eliminate the growth.

My cooler has the HTP coolant in it. I guess it doesn't last / fight forever.

I guess an air cooled torch would fix it.

Thanks.

[Capt B]

Yeah, you jogged my recollector. I used to operate a instrument that would go from room temp to 2000 degrees and back to room temp in seconds. The cooling unit would always look clean because the water was so hot. But hoses and like a would foul with algae because of the ideal temp/condition fo growth.

I tried bleach and glycerin, only really be never could eliminate the growth.

My cooler has the HTP coolant in it. I guess it doesn't last / fight forever.

I guess an air cooled torch would fix it.

Thanks.

I bought an algae additive from HTP last time I changed my coolant. Haven't used it long enough to know how well it works yet but so far so good.

I have a cool mate on my syncrowave that started doing that and I had to disassemble and clean everything to get rid of algae but I hadn't changed the coolant in at least 5 yrs on that one. One of those things that's easy to neglect.

[John T]

I bought an algae additive from HTP last time I changed my coolant. Haven't used it long enough to know how well it works yet but so far so good.

I have a cool mate on my syncrowave that started doing that and I had to disassemble and clean everything to get rid of algae but I hadn't changed the coolant in at least 5 yrs on that one. One of those things that's easy to neglect.

I used that HTP stuff for a couple years.... when I dumped it out It DID still look clear... no algae or gunk..

This time I just added a couple capfuls of bleach... so far so good.

I don't tig weld a whole hella lot, kinda comes in spurts or if I am working on a project...

[Oscar]

Also, the internal hoses don't last forever, especially if you don't use it often. With age they soften and lose the ability to hold the pressure . You could start with replacing those with hoses that are braided to better hold against pressure loss. I tried regular clear plastic hose, and even though it will hold the pressure, it does bulge and you actually lose pressure like that. Some transmission oil cooler hose works great for this. Can be bought in bulk at most auto parts store.

[tapwelder]

After crimping hose, no issues today. Welder/cooler on/used about 12 hrs today.

Mine is 25 foot hose with ck no. 9 torch.

[Oscar]

How is the condition of the hoses? Brown & soft?

[mechanic416]

After crimping hose, no issues today. Welder/cooler on/used about 12 hrs today.

Mine is 25 foot hose with ck no. 9 torch.

I think you mean a #20 torch, a #9 is a air cooled torch.

[12345678910]

I used that HTP stuff for a couple years.... when I dumped it out It DID still look clear... no algae or gunk..

This time I just added a couple capfuls of bleach... so far so good.

I don't tig weld a whole hella lot, kinda comes in spurts or if I am working on a project...

You added bleach to the tig cooler water ?

That's bad.
It's corrosive.

it's not instant, but any metals in contact will pinhole on you.


I'd just use the overpriced stuff they sell you. It has corrosion inhibiting agents.

If you want to do homemade solutions, an aquarium air bubble-er in the coolant and some sort of timer that runs the pump for circulation when you don't use it for long periods.

[John T]

You added bleach to the tig cooler water ?

That's bad.
It's corrosive.

it's not instant, but any metals in contact will pinhole on you.


I'd just use the overpriced stuff they sell you. It has corrosion inhibiting agents.

If you want to do homemade solutions, an aquarium air bubble-er in the coolant and some sort of timer that runs the pump for circulation when you don't use it for long periods.

I'm not sure a couple capfuls will harm anything.... But you may be right...
I got the suggestion on this site somewhere...

anyway, I got a procon pump / 220v motor I will be retrofitting into the HTP cooler over the winter ..... I will go back to the HTP algae additive at that point.

I LOVE the HTP221 welding machine.... The water cooler... not so much. especially that pump/motor combo.

[tapwelder]

How is the condition of the hoses? Brown & soft?

Machine is pristine inside . hoses clear braided plastic. It.was assembled 2017.

Probably needs cleaning or internal maintenance?

[tapwelder]

Yeah, no20. No 9 is in my tool kit, awaiting its turn.

[Oscar]

Machine is pristine inside . hoses clear braided plastic. It.was assembled 2017.

Probably needs cleaning or internal maintenance?

So you bought it brand new? What liquid/coolant have you used throughout the time you've had it?

[tapwelder]

HTP coolant.

[longman50]

I've been dealing with this same issue on and off for a while now and usually just give my torch leads a shake and the alarm would stop. It seems to have gotten worse the last few weeks so I blew out the torch with compressed air which did not help. I also checked the coolant which still looks clear and clean. I found this thread and others mentioning pinching off the blue return line and opened up my cooler this morning. I removed the flow switch completely just to see if it was clogged or slimy. When I pulled the switch off I noticed the actual switch portion with the wires had some adjustment slots in it with two small screws holding it. I re-installed it with that side facing up so I could play with it while the cooler was running. Basically I reduced the sensitive a little but not all the way and it seems to be working much better. I also decided to clamp down the blue bypass hose to reduce its flow but not shut it off completely. We'll see how this works but I'm excited not to be interrupted to much by the annoying alarm.
I have no idea if this same adjust flow switch is on all of these but my was purchased sometime in 2017.

Merry Christmas!

[tapwelder]

Thanks Longman. I have had no issues since clamping off my blue tube. I have about 40 hours straight tig welding since then. Initially mine progressed as yours. Alarm would stop if I straighten hose, then it had to be level...no incline, then shake the machine. Then alarm on all the time.

[tackit]

Why all the splatter in pulse mode when welding with a MTS 220, is their a difference in their 220 machines,

[txrpls]

Because none of the welds were in pulse mode.

[ronsii]

502 - Just in case post

[Robb M.]

test post

[Oscar]

thread is visible now, thanks guys

[ccawgc]

Please be careful with bleach. I have had to retube a cooler that all the hoses melted
because the owner added bleach and left it in. Bleach can be used for a clean and flush. But you need to flush the cooler several times to remove it all.