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Author Topic: Water Cooling Conditioner Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 06-17-2004 06:03 PM                     My manager says that he can't buy the water circulator conditioner fluid at any stores around here anymore, so he's thinking about just not adding any more to our SA cooling systems. Assuming we added this conditioner when the circulators were installed (6 years ago), do I need to add more conditioner, if I do, what should I buy and where can I get it from? As of yet, we haven't had any issues with any machines that have cooled gates, but since it was brought up today, I figured I'd find out from everybody here if we actually need it.  |  IP: Logged Mike Pennell Expert Film Handler Posts: 150 From: Tucson, AZ, USA Registered: Apr 2003 posted 06-17-2004 06:15 PM                     We use anti-freeze and distilled water. No problems here  |  IP: Logged Jack Ondracek Film God Posts: 2348 From: Port Orchard, WA, USA Registered: Oct 2002 posted 06-17-2004 11:14 PM                        Same here.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 06-18-2004 01:21 AM                     I think the correct mixture is 50/50. Been a long time....  |  IP: Logged Chris Hipp Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1462 From: Mesquite, Tx (east of Dallas) Registered: Jul 2003 posted 06-18-2004 02:57 AM                     I have been using the premix antifreeze for over a year now and it has worked well for me.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 06-18-2004 06:13 AM                        The primary purpose of using the ethylene glycol antifreeze is that the good brands usually contain corrosion inhibitors and will inhibit bacterial growth. They also raise the boiling point of the solution: http://www.overclockers.com/articles993/ quote: PC Water Coolant Chemistry - Part I Physical, Thermal and Chemical Properties of Water Types of Water (tap, bottled, distilled, DI, etc.) I'll discuss Part II in a few weeks: PC Water Coolant Chemistry - Part II General and Galvanic Corrosion Water Additives (surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, antifreeze, biocides, etc.) Maintenance Basic Coolant Mixtures http://www.overclockers.com/tips1153/index.asp quote: Water has a unique combination of physical, thermal and chemical properties that makes it ideal for use in PC water-cooling systems. However, to help minimize the negative effects of corrosion and prevent the growth of microorganisms, it is necessary to use coolant additives.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-18-2004 06:27 AM                     Kinoton has been using this stuff called Typhocor (sp?). It is a clear solution that definately has corrosion and rust inhibitors in it. It will give the water a slightly oily feel to it. After a year in service, there has been zero water discoloration, or build up of any type that I can find. The mix on the stuff is 1:5 (five parts distilled water to 1 part Typhocor). It is pricey as all heck but I can't deny it works better than anything else I've seen. I don't like using common antifreeze...it has always developed this scum like substance on/in it and seems to bring along as many problems as it solves. I have also used straight distilled water with success. Typhocor is the first additive I've noticed that seemed to have only benefits, no negatives other than cost. Steve  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 06-18-2004 10:37 AM                       I like the taste of Prestone best.  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: California, U.S.A. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 06-18-2004 11:36 AM                     Our bighouse is watercooled, we recently had to swap coolers though since the motor on the old one was burning up. I'll be having fun rebuilding that over the next week or so. Anyhow, we've been using antifreeze and water since I've gotten there and flushing it every now and then keeps the buildup low. If you use a high enough quality antifreeze the buildup isn't quite so bad. However the cheap stuff seems to create sort of a rubbery gum that really is disgusting to blow out of the trap. Anyhow, never let 'er run dry!  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 06-18-2004 10:22 PM                     Great, thanks for the advice guys.  |  IP: Logged Dave Macaulay Film God Posts: 2321 From: Toronto, Canada Registered: Apr 2001 posted 06-21-2004 08:14 AM                     You can use Redline Water Wetter, available at some auto parts stores. This is an anticorrosion aditive that is supposed to also improve the cooling ability of water. I don't like using glycol because of the slippery mess if (when) it gets spilled plus it seems to attack the paint on Little Giant pumps like the new Strong water circulators use. Water wetter is popular in car and bike racing, where glycol is prohibited because of the slippery when spilled problem. http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp?productID=53  |  IP: Logged Steve Scott Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1300 From: Minneapolis, MN Registered: Sep 2000 posted 06-21-2004 06:16 PM                     Thanks for the idea Dave. I found out that the conditioner my bosses are asking about it waterbed conditioner. Apparently they used to add it to the containers once a year and they got worried when Target and Wal-Mart stopped carrying it.  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 06-22-2004 11:38 AM                        The conditioner sold for waterbeds is primarily a biocide, to prevent growth of bacteria and algae in the water. If that's all you want, you could use the biocide additive sold for humidifiers, or maybe a swimming pool algaecide. But you also want a corrosion inhibitor.  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 06-23-2004 03:12 PM                        We had to replace the hosing on both our water cooling units because over a few years the cooling system seemed to become nothing but a hugh petri dish with all kinds of disgusting growth; this was mainly because we didn't use any special additives and we used regular tap water. The replacement tubing that was available from the theatre supply company cost something like $4.00 a foot; we got tubing from a local hardware store which not only had identical inner and outer diameter, but it also had a reenforced fishnet webbing that prevents it from folding at sharp bends. It cost about $0.75 a foot. On the advice from FTF posts, I began using distilled water treated with the RedLine Water Wetter product that Dave is talking about. Everything -- the tanks, the tubing, the pumps --all stayed spanking clean with no evidence of any slime or organizm growth. I don't know how much the product aids in reducing the water temperature, but even if it is just a little, that is just a bonus over the other advantages it gives the tanks. I'm very satisfied with this combination and recommend it highly.  |  IP: Logged

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