Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Water Cooling Conditioner

This is topic Water Cooling Conditioner in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 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.

Posted by Mike Pennell (Member # 1692) on 06-17-2004, 06:15 PM:

We use anti-freeze and distilled water. No problems here [beer]

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 06-17-2004, 11:14 PM:

Same here.

Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 06-18-2004, 01:21 AM:

I think the correct mixture is 50/50. Been a long time....

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 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.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 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.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 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

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-18-2004, 10:37 AM:

I like the taste of Prestone best.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 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!

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 06-18-2004, 10:22 PM:

Great, thanks for the advice guys.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 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

Posted by Steve Scott (Member # 630) on 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.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 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.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 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.