Did I plumb my tig water cooler wrong????

[WILD-BILL]

So I finally added a small radiator and fans to my tig water cooler and I did a small heat test on how the cooler was performing and have to admit I was hoping for a little better temp reduction or control.

Currently, water comes from the tank to the pump. To the radiator, out of the rad to the power cable side water line. Out of separated water line directly back into the tank.

I did a little googling and I think I have this plumbed completely backwards.

From the reading I have done, it sounds like I should be plumbed from tank to pump to separated water line, water out of power cable water line through the rad and then back to the tank.

I hope this makes sense

 

[kkroger]

Hot water should run through the Radiator and into the tank...
Pump, torch, Radiator, Tank, pump
Rinse Lather and Repeat...

Your way you have a tank of hot water that you are trying to cool before sending it to the torch.

 

[WILD-BILL]

That;s what I was figuring LOL.

I got it backwards.

What about the water lines for the torch? does it make a difference which way you hook those up to?

 

[dr_clyde]

Generally they are labeled or threaded such that you can't get it wrong. In my experience the cold supply to the torch is independent and the hot return shares the power line to cool it as well on its way back to the tank.

 

[kkroger]

Shouldn't but the Red tube is generally the HOT water return, and the BLUE is the cool water out... some don't have a color code...

 

[WILD-BILL]

The lines probably were that way once but I got the torch used and it didn't have any fittings and I had to replace the power cable so I could have one with a fitting to use it with the adapter I needed for my Everlast welder.

I installed quick disconnect fittings as they were cheap and easier to install then crimping the correct fittings.

But hey, it was a really cheap WP 20 even with the replacement parts and adapters I needed. A far cry better then the supplied Everlast torch.

But, once again, from the sounds of it I have that backwards to.

 

[WILD-BILL]

Shouldn't but the Red tube is generally the HOT water return, and the BLUE is the cool water out... some don't have a color code...

All of my lines are black except where the power cable goes into the dinse adapter. That adapter is red.

 

[rlitman]

Pump, torch, Radiator, Tank, pump
Rinse Lather and Repeat...

That's fine, but it is more important for the water to go to the torch, and THEN return through the power cable. Water does cool the power cable, but the coolest water is supposed to hit the torch first.

 

[Tig Master]

Yup ^^^

T

 

[dogdog]

why can't you take off one end of the line that you are suspecting being the return... turn on pump temporary , if coolant squirts.... it's good as gold?

 

[WILD-BILL]

As it turns out I did have the torch water lines hooked up correctly. Coldest water entering the separte line and exiting through the power line.

I swapped the flow of the rad so I am now plumbed tank-pump-torch-rad tank and that a huge difference.

Thanks all for your help.