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Straight answers to the questions buyers ask about welding torch water cooling units, how they are rated and how to look after them.
Cooling power, given in watts or kilowatts, is how much heat the unit can remove from the coolant. It only means something alongside the conditions it was measured at, usually a stated coolant flow (often 1 litre per minute) and a stated air temperature, so two units can only be compared fairly when those match.A small TIG unit is typically rated in the hundreds of watts, while units for higher-current MIG torches are rated around a kilowatt or more. Choose a unit whose rating suits the torch's current and duty cycle, and check the data plate and the welder and torch manuals rather than relying on the headline figure.
Many welding coolers take their power and control signals from the welding machine through a cable, so the machine decides when the pump and fan run. Some units can also be run from their own mains supply with a switch.Because of this, a cooler must be compatible with the specific welding machine: the connector, voltage and control signals all have to match. Check the compatibility list in the manual, and have the installation and any electrical connection done by a competent person with everything switched off and disconnected.
A common cause is dust. The fan draws air through the radiator and particles collect there, especially in dirty workshops, which reduces the cooling capacity. Makers say to disconnect the unit from the mains and clean it at regular intervals, often by blowing through the radiator or filter with compressed air.Also check that the coolant level sits between the minimum and maximum marks. If cooling is still poor, the unit may need servicing by a qualified person. When using compressed air, wear eye protection and never point it at skin.
If coolant cannot flow, for example because a hose is folded or blocked, the pressure in the circuit rises or the flow drops. Some pumps have a built-in relief valve that opens gradually when the pressure is too high, which protects the pump and hoses. Many systems also have a pressure or flow signal that tells the welding machine to stop and shows an alarm.If an alarm appears, stop welding, check the hoses for kinks and blockages and check the coolant level. Have any fault you cannot find traced by a competent person, and never bypass the protection.
