TEYU Industrial Laser Chiller Winter Antifreeze Guide (2025)

With the onset of colder weather, it's important to take extra care of your industrial laser chiller to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. Here are some essential guidelines from TEYU chiller engineers for you to keep your equipment running smoothly throughout the winter days.

1. Add Antifreeze When Temperatures Drop Below 0℃

Why Add Antifreeze?
When temperatures fall below 0℃, antifreeze is essential to prevent freezing of the coolant, which could cause cracks in the laser and internal chiller pipes, damaging seals and affecting performance. It's important to choose the right antifreeze, as the wrong type could damage the chiller's internal components.

Choosing the Right Antifreeze
Opt for antifreeze with good freeze resistance, anti-corrosion, and anti-rust properties. It should not affect rubber seals, have low viscosity at low temperatures, and be chemically stable.

Mixing Ratio
It is recommended to mix antifreeze and purified water at a 3:7 ratio. While meeting antifreeze requirements, keep the antifreeze concentration as low as possible to minimize the risk of corrosion to the piping system.

Usage Period
Antifreeze is not recommended for long-term use. When the temperature remains above 5℃, promptly drain the system, flush it several times with purified or distilled water, and then refill with regular purified or distilled water.

Avoid Mixing Brands
Different brands or types of antifreeze may contain varying chemical compositions. Mixing them may cause chemical reactions, so use the same product.

2. Winter Operating Conditions for Chillers
To ensure proper chiller operation, maintain the environment temperature above 0℃ to avoid freezing and potential damage. Before restarting the chiller in winter, check if the water circulation system has frozen.

If Ice Is Present:
Turn off the water chiller and related equipment immediately to prevent damage.
Use a heater to warm the chiller and help the ice melt.
Once the ice has melted, restart the chiller and carefully check the chiller, external pipes, and equipment to ensure proper water circulation.

For Environments Below 0℃:
If possible and if power outages are not a concern, it is advisable to leave the chiller running 24/7 to ensure water circulation and prevent freezing.

3. Winter Temperature Settings for Fiber Laser Chillers
Optimal Operating Conditions for Laser Equipment
Temperature: 25±3℃
Humidity: 80±10%
Acceptable Operating Conditions
Temperature: 5-35℃
Humidity: 5-85%
Do not operate laser equipment below 5℃ in winter.

TEYU CWFL Series fiber laser chillers have dual cooling circuits: one for cooling the laser and one for cooling the optics. In intelligent control mode, the cooling temperature is set to 2℃ lower than the ambient temperature. In winter, it's recommended to set the temperature control mode for the optics circuit to constant temperature mode to ensure stable cooling for the laser head based on the user's requirements.

4. Chiller Shutdown and Storage Procedures
When the ambient temperature is below 0℃ and the chiller is unused for a long period, drainage is necessary to prevent freezing damage.
Water Drainage
①Drain Cooling Water
Open the drain valve to empty all water from the chiller.
②Remove Pipes
When draining the internal water in the chiller, disconnect the inlet/outlet pipes and open the fill port and drain valve.
③Dry the Pipes
Use compressed air to blow out any remaining water.
*Note: Avoid blowing air at the joints where yellow tags are pasted near the water inlet and outlet, as it may cause damage.

Chiller Storage
After cleaning and drying the chiller, store it in a safe, dry location. Use a clean plastic or thermal bag to cover the chiller to prevent dust and moisture from entering.

For more about TEYU laser chiller maintenance, please click https://www.teyuchiller.com/chiller-maintenance-videos.html. If you need further assistance, feel free to consult our customer service team via service@teyuchiller.com.