Antifreeze in your pcp compressor?

[Fly]

Well I do not remember antifreeze being used in the air compressor. I know many keep there compressors in there home.
I use too till my better half told me no more, to take it to my shop. I had no problem with it freezing till this winter. Yes after
filling my gun from the last shooting of the day I try to drain it with the water pump inlet pull out of the water tank. But that
did seem to get it all out this winter. I,m thinking of adding some antifreeze to it come winter time. I can,t see it could hurt?
just asking for your thoughts? Fly

 

[JimD]

I use distilled water with water wetter in it and I don't change it in my Yong Heng. It is in a utility room off my garage. That area is not heated but it is attached to the house and it doesn't get very cold here in SC. But if the cooling water of your compressor could freeze I would add anti freeze. This has been discussed before on AGN and others report using it. The plus seem to be reduced corrosion in addition to preventing freezing. It was also reported to prevent algae growing in the water. The minus is it won't conduct heat quite as well. Water wetter improves heat transfer and might help offset that.

 

[kwaping]

I think it should be fine? I believe GX recommended it for my compressor, so that's what I did.

 

[TMH]

I use bottled drinking water with anti-freeze, maybe 1/2 the recommended 'dose' for use in a car.

I use the drinking water instead of distilled water as distilled can be too pure for some applications. With all of its ions lost during the distillation process, it wants to scavenge them back from somewhere, and that tends to be any metal parts in the cooling system. Not an issue with drinking water since it still contains some of its ions for taste.

My compressor is in the garage where I don't have to worry about freezing. But anti-freeze does also contain some lubricants for the cooling system (longer life), and it improves the ability of water to carry and transfer heat. So it works in the cooling role too.

 

[Fly]

Thanks fellows, I thought it would be fine.

 

[Bngen3]

I used this in my GXCS4, recommended somewhere

 

[MOhunter]

I also use antifreeze in mine. Generic brand tho

 

[Ratzy]

Hyper-cool

https://a.co/d/2pvXioq

and water in a Vevor water cooler (radiator and fan)

https://a.co/d/bqjwcTd

 

[john8]

I would recommend running a antifreeze mi. My AV4500 lives in the work shed. I've run 50/50 water antifreeze from day one no problem. Here in Missouri we don't have long spells of 0 degree days.

 

[Dstrac]

Well I do not remember antifreeze being used in the air compressor. I know many keep there compressors in there home.
I use too till my better half told me no more, to take it to my shop. I had no problem with it freezing till this winter. Yes after
filling my gun from the last shooting of the day I try to drain it with the water pump inlet pull out of the water tank. But that
did seem to get it all out this winter. I,m thinking of adding some antifreeze to it come winter time. I can,t see it could hurt?
just asking for your thoughts? Fly

Filtered tap water with a little antifreeze.

 

[tommyb]

I use bottled drinking water with anti-freeze, maybe 1/2 the recommended 'dose' for use in a car.

I use the drinking water instead of distilled water as distilled can be too pure for some applications. With all of its ions lost during the distillation process, it wants to scavenge them back from somewhere, and that tends to be any metal parts in the cooling system. Not an issue with drinking water since it still contains some of its ions for taste.

My compressor is in the garage where I don't have to worry about freezing. But anti-freeze does also contain some lubricants for the cooling system (longer life), and it improves the ability of water to carry and transfer heat. So it works in the cooling role too.

Good explanation for why you don’t use distilled water. Makes good sense to me. Why does GX recommend Using it?

Also, you make a good case for using a blend of filtered water and Antifreeze, even if the garage doesn’t freeze.

 

[tommyb]

Ok, just read the recommended antifreeze to water ratio from GX for the CS4-I.

They recommend using 7/3 ratio of antifreeze to water using “distilled“ water only because normal water can cause mineral build up. They also say using a 50/50 ratio is fine. Their recommendation was pretty clear and strongly worded.

So based on the above, I’m a little confused on the Manufactuer’s recommendation and others using filtered or bottled water and not distilled water.

This sounds like it’s a personal preference YMMV type of approach.

 

[Back_Roads]

I used an automotive 50/50 premix, they use purified water in the process, 50/50 as it will give me freeze protection in Wisconsin. Warmer climate the anti corrosion additives are an advantage.

 

[sobdiver]

My understanding:

1. For cooling distilled water will outperform antifreeze, so only use antifreeze if your compressor will be in below freezing conditions.

2. You can use an additive, like water wetter or Rislone Hypercool which will provide additional corrosion protection and help to run even cooler. In a GX CS4 or CS4I probably only need to add a couple capfuls

 

[tommyb]

My understanding:

1. For cooling distilled water will outperform antifreeze, so only use antifreeze if your compressor will be in below freezing conditions.

2. You can use an additive, like water wetter or Rislone Hypercool which will provide additional corrosion protection

and help to run even cooler. In a GX CS4 or CS4I probably only need to add a couple capfuls

Ok, understand.

I will keep it in the garage, and in NC it can get into the 20’s occasionally in January.

So, to play it safe don’t you think I should use a blend of antifreeze and water vs. using distilled water and water wetter?

I understand the advantages of either, but it seems that you are recommending distilled water and water wetter additive?

 

[kwaping]

If it freezes in your area, there is no question, use an antifreeze blend.

 

[tommyb]

If it freezes in your area, there is no question, use an antifreeze blend.

I unintentionally worded my situation and question poorly. Let me clarify.

There are about a dozen days over the winter that it can get below 32 degrees outside. My garage never gets below freezing. Might get to 35-40 degrees.

Given that is true, I think I can safely 1) use the distilled water with an additive or 2) use a blend of water and antifreeze just in case.

The real question is can I use the blend of antifreeze and water year round, without harming the compressor? I don’t think having a blend will hurt it in warmer weather. Or, will it?

 

[kwaping]

I think you'll be fine, based on other answers in this thread, and also based on how we all use it in our cars. I have a 50% mix in my not-cheap compressor and it doesn't worry me.

 

[tommyb]

I think you'll be fine, based on other answers in this thread, and also based on how we all use it in our cars. I have a 50% mix in my not-cheap compressor and it doesn't worry me.

Thanks.

That’s what I want to know.

 

[M Volle]

I have two compressors that use a closed circulating system with a radiator - although my comment could apply to an open system using a bucket and pump too.

I'm running a pre-mixed "ready to use" antifreeze designed for aluminum parts - not worried about freezing but don't want any corrosion -

This seems to be working fine and is really simple to get and use - no worries about water quality.

Having disassembled my units several times, both to do some mods and to check for any issues, I haven't seen any buildups or corrosion - and both cylinders have fairly complex water jackets.

just my experience...