So what kind of water do I use to cool my yong heng compressor

[MarksmanPete]

I seen folks use tap water distilled water, water wetter, Whats the deal is tap water fine followed with vinegar after a few months to clean up the mineral deposits, Is distilled water by its self bad, Do you need water weter if you use distilled water or should I just use tap water with ice.

 

[stovepipe]

Used to use distilled water until I read that it's reactive with aluminum cooling jacket. I use filtered water with water wetter now. 3 years & going strong.

Hi Gerry52.
I'm going to start using some kind of water wetter -- don't know which brand. I've been using tap water without any additives, but it's a real hassle to keep mold and algae from growing.
Are you using the Redline stuff or some other brand? Does it keep algae and mold from growing? How often do you have to dump out your bucket -- like once a year?

stovepipe

 

[Gerry52]

I'm using regular antifreeze, just a bit, a cup or less in my 5g bucket. Water Wetter lasts longer but I didn't have any on hand. AF is working fine but I'll be changing out water soon, after 8 months.

 

[stovepipe]

I'm using regular antifreeze, just a bit, a cup or less in my 5g bucket. Water Wetter lasts longer but I didn't have any on hand. AF is working fine but I'll be changing out water soon, after 8 months.

Have you ever had mold or algae problems?
When you say water wetter lasts longer than the anti-freeze, what happens to the anti-freeze that indicates that it needs to be changed? Thanks.

stovepipe

 

[Gerry52]

Have you ever had mold or algae problems?
When you say water wetter lasts longer than the anti-freeze, what happens to the anti-freeze that indicates that it needs to be changed? Thanks.

stovepipe

My water is just starting to get a little cloudy, no mold, figured I'd change it out. No sediment either due to antifreeze.

 

[stovepipe]

My water is just starting to get a little cloudy, no mold, figured I'd change it out. No sediment either due to antifreeze.

Thanks Gerry52. That's really good news. I'm going to start using some kind of additive now since you've had good luck for so many years. So I'm off to Walmart to find a bigger bucket -- 5 gallons is a bit limiting when I have to fill 2 45-minute SCBA tanks. I think a 15-gallon container will do the trick. I don't have the option of using ice packs -- no room in the freezer. I think I'll try the Rislone Hyper Cool stuff since it's cheap at Walmart -- pretty similar to Redline Water Wetter. I'll be careful not to mix different types of additives. Thanks again.

stovepipe

 

[Gerry52]

Thanks Gerry52. That's really good news. I'm going to start using some kind of additive now since you've had good luck for so many years. So I'm off to Walmart to find a bigger bucket -- 5 gallons is a bit limiting when I have to fill 2 45-minute SCBA tanks. I think a 15-gallon container will do the trick. I don't have the option of using ice packs -- no room in the freezer. I think I'll try the Rislone Hyper Cool stuff since it's cheap at Walmart -- pretty similar to Redline Water Wetter. I'll be careful not to mix different types of additives. Thanks again.

stovepipe

I top off my tanks when they get to 3k psi. I have 15, 30, 45 & 60 minute tanks (Yes, 15 minute! Only one I've ever seen, being in the business over 30 years). My 5 gallon bucket never lets temp go above 54C. I do have extra fans for cooling.

 

[stovepipe]

I top off my tanks when they get to 3k psi. I have 15, 30, 45 & 60 minute tanks (Yes, 15 minute! Only one I've ever seen, being in the business over 30 years). My 5 gallon bucket never lets temp go above 54C. I do have extra fans for cooling.

I just got back from Walmart with a Hefty (brand) 72 quart (18 gallon) clear rectangular plastic storage bin and 4 16oz bottles of Rislone Hyper Cool super coolant (the Rislone version of Redline Water Wetter). Here's what my system looks like with the 5 gallon bucket. The 18 gallon bin is 24" x 16" x 14" (same height as the 5 gallon bucket) and will sit in place of the 5 gallon bucket and the SCBA tanks will be stashed under the table to the left. I'll be using 15 gallons of water in the 18 gallon bin. The lid of the bin I bought is not an air-tight seal, but it's good enough to keep dust out of the water -- maybe a bad choice, but I like the dimensions. I'll only need 3 of the 4 bottles of the Rislone hyper cool stuff ($7.38 per bottle).

I always shut down the compressor when it hits 55 degrees C because it'll keep climbing if I don't. I do it in a nice way opening the high pressure side of the compressor and letting it blow air for about 30 seconds -- it helps dry the check valve and cools the head and pipes and high pressure side down a little. Then I open the low pressure side to blow water out of there and watch the head temp start dropping until it levels off, then I turn off the power to the compressor, but leave the water pump running and the (hard to see) 234 cubic feet per minute electric fan that is bolted onto the rear of the compressor. When I'm filling anything, SCBA tanks or rifles directly, I always have that condenser filter (I call it the rocket filter) in line and always have the check valve / bleed valve combo in line as well. That way I don't lose any pressure when shutting down the compressor. But I really bleed the rocket filter frequently -- a blast every few minutes and it does a super great job of keeping moisture out of my tanks and rifles. There's never been any sign of moisture in my maverick or tanks. Even though Idaho is not a particularly humid state, you'd be amazed at how much water that rocket filter spits out during a fill. Anyway, the point I'm getting to is that a lot of my run time is actually catching up on the pressure lost because of all the water purging I do during a fill. So I spend a lot of time during "compressor off" mode emptying 3 gallons of warm water and replacing it with cold water using the milk jug and the bath tub that is 10 steps away. I'm being a real "chatty Kathy" right now because I'm excited about not having to deal with the pain in the butt stuff anymore. It sounds like your system has been efficient all along. My compressor works fine -- no leaks, etc. I just kind of "waste?" a lot of air. Thanks again Gerry. Cheers!

Update: I don't recommend the Hefty (brand) 72 quart (18 gallon) clear rectangular plastic storage bin. With only 13.5 gallons in it, the sides bow out and the lid doesn't keep it from doing so. Of course any round bucket won't have this problem.

stovepipe

 

[Gerry52]

Dang! You've got a LOT of fittings between the compressor & your tank! Imho & experience the less fittings, the less chance for failure. There are ways to streamline that setup. I have a check valve on my tank fill adapter so I don't lose pressure from my tank when I bleed moisture during filling.

 

[stovepipe]

Dang! You've got a LOT of fittings between the compressor & your tank! Imho & experience the less fittings, the less chance for failure. There are ways to streamline that setup. I have a check valve on my tank fill adapter so I don't lose pressure from my tank when I bleed moisture during filling.

Yup. It's quick-disconnect city. Trying to do anything to streamline it would cost more money, and since it works and doesn't leak, it's just what I've got for now. I'll clean it up one of these days.

stovepipe

 

[Chief Ten-Beers]

I tried My YH for the first time since the new set up. I needed to top off my Tanks. I didn't do the Ice, I just used the 12 or so Gallons of water in My tub. one tank needed about 6oo psi and the other 1000. It worked pretty well, stayed just under 60C. Nex time I will plan ahead and Chill first with My Ice Bottles.

 

[Ricklin]

A splash of laundry bleach if things are getting green, a squirt of Jet Dry to make the water wetter. KISS more water is better, a block of ice is really helpful esp. if limited qty of water. The more water, the more better.

 

[Tuinschutter]

The more water, the more better.

This.

 

[Airgun-hobbyist]

Three gallons of premixed antifreeze mixed with two gallons ogmf distilled water in a tote with the pump tube's going in and out of it is all I've ever used. I may replace it this year, but realistically it probably isn't needed. Antifreeze has been proven in the automotive world with a mixture of aluminum, brass, cast, and stainless for decades. These units don't get hot enough for the benefits of Water Wetter or the like.

 

[Ricklin]

Three gallons of premixed antifreeze mixed with two gallons ogmf distilled water in a tote with the pump tube's going in and out of it is all I've ever used. I may replace it this year, but realistically it probably isn't needed. Antifreeze has been proven in the automotive world with a mixture of aluminum, brass, cast, and stainless for decades. These units don't get hot enough for the benefits of Water Wetter or the like.

I won't spend money to make my water wetter, because you are correct. I will squirt a little Jet dry for dishes in and it's unlikely it does much but it won't do any damage either. A splash of laundry bleach to keep the critters at bay. The key to keeping them cool is plenty of water. Any old water will do!