Cannot blow through torch water lines... want to hook up cooler with 250EX

[Gandalf]

I am making a water cooler setup, and I was trying to blow through the water lines (return on the positive cable, and tube going to the torch) and I get zero flow. Does the welder have to be turned on for flow (is there a one-way valve or backflow valve in the torch etc?). I know the passages are small in the torch, but I can force nothing through with everything off.

I haven't used a water cooler yet since I bought my 250EX, I still have the torch that came with the unit.
Thanks for reading.

[Rambozo]

No valves. Check for kinked lines, especially if you have a hose cover.

Have you used the torch without water?

[christian]

Gee,

If you're making your water cooler using something like a fish aquarium diaphram pump and a long torch line, it just may not have the ability to push it.

[Gandalf]

Gee,

If you're making your water cooler using something like a fish aquarium diaphram pump and a long torch line, it just may not have the ability to push it.

lol,
I have virtually any pump to choose from, any core to choose from, and have built A2W systems for high performance racing for 15 years. Also wrote the modern day guide for A2W systems:
http://mk15.ca/MJK_iPage_Website/MKI...r_Projects.htm
There is virtually no calculation regarding flow, diameters, pressure, pressure-drop, pumps, and restriction that I haven't made or measured.

Just wondering why the system is unable to move air as produced by "human" pressure, aka about a psi or so. Also didn't want to subject a system to greater pressures until I knew more.

No valves. Check for kinked lines, especially if you have a hose cover.

Have you used the torch without water?

Yes. That is how Everlast sold the 250EX, with this torch... it is water-cooled, but was touted to handle moderate temps without.
I've never needed to exceed occasional amperage beyond 150A, mostly in the 50-120A range. It is possible that the passages have become occluded, perhaps even melted... There don't look to be any kinks, unless it is pinched going into the torch. Gosh, the torch/unit is like 7 years old now. Hmmm... perhaps a blast of 30-40 psi air will wake it up. Ha I expected to have to repair a few leaks...

I think I'm going to make the cooler permanently part of my welding cart, so it won't need a housing/box etc, can mount the components right to it.

[performance]

No. No. No. We don't tout the torch to handle moderate temps without water. You'll melt the lines and damage the power cable. If you've used it without waer, you've melted the lines, or torch head passages.

[Rambozo]

That's why I asked. There was some old misinformation about using a water cooled torch without water, and that explains why your lines are plugged. Usually it's just the power cable that has melted inside. The torch will often survive, but you won't know until you take it apart and check for clear passages and no leaks. There are some soldered joints that can let go if it got too hot.

[Gandalf]

No. No. No. We don't tout the torch to handle moderate temps without water. You'll melt the lines and damage the power cable. If you've used it without waer, you've melted the lines, or torch head passages.

Ok, I understand... this is news to me, I missed that update to policy (it was bought back in 2011)... evolution does occur, after all... lol
I repaired the trigger on it just months ago, I didn't see anything wrong at that time, but didn't test the water-passages for integrity then. Otherwise the torch has held up well considering.