Systems Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Inside the door of the electrical enclosure is a nameplate listing the model number, serial number, and other pertinent information. When contacting the factory regarding your system, it is helpful to have these numbers readily available for the best possible customer service.

No. Automotive antifreeze is not recommended for industrial use. It does not contain the proper corrosion inhibitors for the materials of construction of an industrial closed loop cooling system.

No. Galvanized pipe or components should not be used for field piping an industrial inhibited glycol cooling system due to a chemical reaction with precipitate formation that will occur between the zinc and glycol corrosion inhibitors. Doing so will quickly deplete the inhibitor chemicals while removing the galvanizing protective zinc coating which will then lead to extensive corrosion.

An industrial, inhibited ethylene glycol such as Dow Chemical Dowtherm SR-1 or an industrial, inhibitied propylene glycol such as Dow Chemical Dowfrost should be used in most HydroThrift cooling systems. The particular application and design of your cooling system will determine whether ethylene or propylene glycol is used. The concentration of heat transfer fluid in even the most carefully operated and maintained systems will eventually degrade. It is CRITICAL that the condition of the fluid be periodically evaluated. Periodic evaluation must also be made to ensure that the heat transfer fluids inhibitor levels are correct, and to also ensure the fluid's pH levels do not shift toward an acid condition, causing corrosion and ultimate equipment failure.

In evaporative cooling equipment, the heat rejection is accomplished by evaporation of a portion of the water being circulated within the fluid cooler. As this water evaporates, the impurities originally introduced with the make up water remain in the circulating water. To prevent an excessive build up of impurities in the circulating water, a small amount of water must be "bled" from the system. This is accomplished by opening the bleed valve located on the discharge side of the spray pump. The bleed rate is approximately 2 GPM per million BTU/Hr of heat rejection.

HydroThrift provides single point wiring for incoming power to a power distribution block or the line side of a disconnect switch, if provided. The fluid cooler motors must be field wired from the load side of motor starters in the HydroThrift enclosure to the fluid cooler.

Yes. The vent and surge tank can be filled, and the pump then started and run until the liquid gets to the bottom of the sight glass, then turned off. This sequence can be repeated until the system is full. However, you must use caution to not start the motor too frequently or allow the tank level to drop to such a point that the pump operates dry, even momentarily. It is also important to note that a dual pump system incorporates check valves to prevent back flow into the pump. A single pump system, however, uses a discharge isolation valve which must be closed when the pump is turned off.

Yes. When the system is installed to cool more than one piece of equipment, a balancing valve must be installed on the supply side of each piece of equipment to equalize pressure drop and adjust the flow appropriately.

The liquid level should be about one-half to three-quarters full on the sight glass. This will provide adequate room for the glycol expansion into an air cushion at the top of the tank.

Piping to/from the fluid cooler and to/from the equipment being cooled should be the same size as the connections on the pump and control unit. In most installations, there is less than 200 equivalent feet of total field piping. If equipment will not be located closely together than advise your HydroThrift sales manager and the glycol circulation pump head will be adjusted to compensate for the additional piping.

The alternator switches to the non-running pump every time the operating switch to the unit is toggled. This device will also switch power to the standby pump in case of failure of the running pump.

A valve on the discharge side of the pump must be throttled to operate the pump at reduced capacity. NEVER THROTTLE THE SUCTION LINE! The reduced flow must remain within the pump application range shown on the pump curve in the Installation and Operation Manual. The ideal location to throttle and adjust flows is at a balancing valve located immediately upstream of each piece of equipment being cooled.

Typical recommended spare parts for HydroThrift cooling systems are fuses, pump seal repair kits, indicating light bulbs, and fan motors. Keeping these parts in inventory will considerably decrease system downtime should a failure occur. If you would like a list of system-specific recommended spare parts, one may requested by sending an email with your system model and serial number.

Yes. HydroThrift requires a minimum order of one hundred dollars ($100 USD). Terms are Net cash 30 days from date of shipment.

Yes. However, if your HydroThrift cooling system was purchased through a local distributor, then you will be best served by purchasing the component through them.

All returns must be shipped prepaid with a return authorization number. Please contact the factory, should a failure under warranty occur, for return information and authorization. Please note HydroThrift Corporation's Terms and Conditions of Sale regarding warranty policies.

In some circumstances, yes. Please contact your HydroThrift regional sales manager to discuss your options when changing or adding equipment to the system.

The sump heater and spray pump are interlocked such that the sump heater will not run when water is being circulated by the spray pump. When the spray pump is operating, the heat from the warm glycol coils will maintain the water temperature above freezing. It is important to not reduce the factory glycol thermostat settings during winter operation since this may not provide adequate heat to maintain the water temperature.

Assuming the situation that triggered the alarm has been resolved, push and hold the "Alarm Silence" pushbutton for three (3) seconds. This will reset all alarms.

HydroThrift Corporation • 1301 Sanders Ave. SW • P.O. Box 1037 • Massillon, Ohio 44648-1037 • Map • Phone: 330-837-5141
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