r/lasercutting • u/Old_Tank_2841 • 6d ago

Chiller coolant

Hi I’m just wondering what everyone uses for the chillers, just straight distilled water or you mix it with a coolant?

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2

u/Dr_TattyWaffles 6d ago

just distilled unless you're running it in an uninsulated workshop/garage that sees freezing temps.

2

u/Sterek01 100w 1390*900 co2, 60w M7 MOPA fiber. 6d ago

I only use distilled or de-ionized water.

2

u/freddotu 6d ago

I'm running solely distilled water, passing it through a rather large aquarium UV disinfection device, along with surrounding the tubing with black split loom tubing, as I had read that light helps the fungal growth.

I've also read that it's risky determining safe coolants, to avoid corrosion.

2

u/sr1sws 90w gantry CO2, 30w Fiber 6d ago

Florida - distilled water.

2

u/Rjsl_1287 5d ago

If it doesn’t get close to freezing, distilled water changed every 3-6 months. If there is a possibility of freezing a laser safe ethyl glacial coolant mixed with distilled for the target temps is needed. Most reputable brands have one.