chwarae
Member
I have a bubble type gas leak detector. I have been told that you can use car antifreeze to top up the unit as antifreeze is propylene glycol. Anyone else heard this and is it true?
Car antifreeze is usually ethylene glycol based, rather than propylene glycol. The liquid supplied in sachets by Alde for topping up bubble testers is ethylene glycol. So, you could use an ethylene glycol car antifreeze (concentrated, not ready-mixed) if you wanted.
Or is it?
Maybe, maybe not. The Alde site lists 3 glycol products - 4070120, 4070123 and 4070125. The first two have MSDS data indicating ethylene glycol, the third (the sachet) doesn't have any MSDS data.
Ethylene glycol is less potentially damaging to seals and plastic parts, so might be preferable.
I was assuming that the sachet label could be relied upon. Probably no MSDS data because it does not contain anything hazardous!
ITYWF that ethylene glycol has a higher boiling point, but basically the volatility of either is so low that its not going to make any significance.Chemically propylene glycol will be a heavier molecule and therefore less volatile. Whether this makes any noticeable difference I don't know. Sounds a good tip though as I have leak detector to fit in the near future.
Maybe the sachet has propylene glycol in case anyone accidentally puts it in their tea. The OP wondered if he could use car antifreeze, which presumably he already has available, rather than shelling out a couple of quid for a sachet. Can't see why he shouldn't.
?????????????? thats about propane but I dont see anything about bubble leak detectors or the fluid for them
Bubble leak detector = soapy sponge http://www.propane101.com/checkingforgasleaks.htm
Bubble leak detector = soapy sponge http://www.propane101.com/checkingforgasleaks.htm
I've got a 1 litre bottle of PG, bought for when I was considering making my own eCig vaping liquid. Not expensive on eBay, but happy to send a small quantity. I look forward to marking the contents as liquid fog
Just found this on eBay http://r.ebay.com/sksEKQ
Not directly related to the original question, but what could I use to colour the liquid in the bubble tester to make it easier to check it still has liquid in? When I saw anti freeze mentioned I thought great, I will change it to red or blue a/freeze, now I am not so sure.