New torch and cooler low flow

[Richard.]

Recently I've refurbished a Miller, a parweld, a tecarc, a tweco(above) a thermal exchange a fronius and a telwin ALL fitted with this same pump. Sold them all. If that pump was anything other than spot on for all lengths of torches it wouldn't be used by all those big names. Lorch and ewm both use that ceme simaco pump in there coolers also.

 

[Hood]

Recently I've refurbished a Miller, a parweld, a tecarc, a tweco(above) a thermal exchange a fronius and a telwin ALL fitted with this same pump. Sold them all. If that pump was anything other than spot on for all lengths of torches it wouldn't be used by all those big names. Lorch and ewm both use that ceme simaco pump in there coolers also.

Yes I know and as I said it was good enough to keep my torch cool at max amps even though the flow was only 0.4/0.5LPM but there is something wrong with the OP's setup if his return connector is almost too hot to touch.

 

[Hood]

@Richard.
I have the hoses I stripped out of the fried torch, if I rig them up with some copper joining them and send them off to you, would you test on your setup to see what LPM you get compared to your 4m torch? Would be an interesting experiment

 

[Richard.]

I think it would or how else can the low flow rate in comparison be explained?

It wouldn't be difficult for me to put an 8 mtr torch on one from work. I don't expect much in the way of difference in performance.

Yes I know and as I said it was good enough to keep my torch cool at max amps even though the flow was only 0.4/0.5LPM but there is something wrong with the OP's setup if his return connector is almost too hot to touch.

yes there is something wrong there no question about it and it could well be the pump. Perhaps it's faulty. My argument is more towards the ones working properly. They are one of my favourite water pumps used in coolers for many reasons
I think (and always have) your low flow rates is down to a restricted torch. Flex necks are always a restrictive torch any way. You will probably find your procon was putting out less than it should of been.

 

[Richard.]

@Richard.
I have the hoses I stripped out of the fried torch, if I rig them up with some copper joining them and send them off to you, would you test on your setup to see what LPM you get compared to your 4m torch? Would be an interesting experiment

Yeah send it over mate. I'll put it on

 

[Hood]

... You will probably find your procon was putting out less than it should of been.

The Procon has never been an issue, I had to wind the bypass right out to get the pressure as low as I could as the flow rate was massive as was the pressure. With the relief valve backed off as much as it will go it is still pushing over 1.5LPM.

 

[Hood]

Yeah send it over mate. I'll put it on

Ok will try and find some copper to join them tomorrow if I make it in to the workshop.

 

[Richard.]

The Procon has never been an issue, I had to wind the bypass right out to get the pressure as low as I could as the flow rate was massive as was the pressure. With the relief valve backed off as much as it will go it is still pushing over 1.5LPM.

Some procon pumps start at waaaaay too much pressure and are not suited to coolers. Like I say you'll probably find your torch is causing the issue and your procon was probably been held back also.

 

[Richard.]

This is a series 4 with the pressure pretty much on minimum. I wouldn't hook a tig torch to this without splitting off and making a bypass back to the tank. It's probably putting out 100 psi on minimum

 

[Hood]

Don't know what series mine is but I think the pressure is around 50 or 60 PSI with it full backed out.

 

[Hood]

Seems to be a series 1 I have, this was a pic of it when posted for sale.

 

[Richard.]

Seems to be a series 1 I have, this was a pic of it when posted for sale.
View attachment 120544

Yes series 1. Best procons ever made imo and perfect for coolers.

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Richard Rycroft has confirmed the output should be at least double what you're getting.

He's asked to check the following -

1) Input voltage, does it match what the cooler is? (I know I specified this to be 240V and i'm assuming its on a 240V supply so I'd rule this one out..)
2) Possible blockage (any chance somethings got into the tank when filling?) (AFAIK you've checked this already)
3) Check for kinked hose behind plastic water tank.
4) Check fittings they are hooking up to cooler. (Standard 3/8BSP as specified, so i'd rule this one out too)

If none of this is the issue i'll get it picked up and fixed for you

 

[Richard.]

Double what I'm getting tom?
Don't you mean double what the op is getting? I use those pumps a lot and they've always put out great flow rates for me. Much much higher than the op is getting. (4x as much. )

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Apologies, Yeah I meant what Ed is getting

 

[Richard.]

My money is on the torch or a blockage.

 

[Brad93]

It cant be the torch as he is only getting 14psi on the gauge with no torch connected.

 

[Richard.]

It cant be the torch as he is only getting 14psi on the gauge with no torch connected.

This is a grey area Brad and the actual bore size makes the difference in the pressure actually achieved. Those pumps don't make 50psi through a big bore hose pipe but they certainly will with a bit of 6 or 8 mm ID bore. It could very well be a faulty pump but I'm still keeping my money on a restricted path in the circuit somewhere.

 

[bletchmonster]

Tom, yes, its connected to 240v. I will try and see if I can check motor data plate for correct voltage but fan speed sounds sufficient. I would guess at no cooler restrictions, as if outlet piped into tank it's shifting many litres a minute and I'm measuring flow from torch return pipe so its not got to get though rad.
Cooler would probably work ok on a less restrictive torch, whether this torch is more restricted than it should be or not, the cooler is not trying very hard to overcome it.
I've tried three different gauges on output to eliminate error and all are recording similar 1bar pressure.

 

[bletchmonster]

Tom, to confirm rotation, the fan is currently blowing the air out of the back of the cooler.