Hi, I bought a house with an existing loop. No problems thus far. Have topped off the pressure with a gooser but would now like to confirm there is adequate antifreeze but I can't tell if they used PG or Methanol as the fluid is colorless, tasteless, no smell. I know there IS antifreeze because I've had the house a few years through cold spells without a problem. So, I did the freezer test, the outcome of which I thought might tip the right person off: Put a small amount in a cup in the freezer with a thermometer to see when it started to freeze. The fluid started to gel but not freeze in the 20s (it didn't start to freeze until about 15). Thought the fact that the fluid gel'd long before freezing might allow a seasoned person as to the likelyhood of PG vs Methanol (can't be calcium because the Geo-flow center doesn't allow it). Thanks for any thoughts!
If it is not sweet my guess is hooch. If you can still see it is drinkable, ethanol. No one cares what the flow center will allow if they did not read the I/O manual.
Thanks for the responses! Great, so it looks like I'm fine for the time being. I'm thinking then, for periodic testing in the future, I'll get the refractometer from Amazon that someone was referred to elsewhere on the Forum...Would this logic then be correct: In the unlikely event that it is Methanol then that type of tester won't show any antifreeze because Methanol requires a different tester (a hydrometer?)... On that chance I'll just be out the cost of the PG tester and then have to buy a hydrometer. Am I thinking straight? Thanks again!
I have found my glycol refractometer to be priceless despite it being cheap. FOrgot where I got it, but it was <40 bucks. On another note, I've seen lots of refractometers for ethanol for use primarily in the wine and beermaking circles. Wonder if something like this might work? http://www.amazon.com/0-40%-Alcohol...3569499&sr=8-4&keywords=alcohol+refractometer
Put some in a shallow dish and let it evaporate over a day or 2. If there is residual somewhat sticky liquid, it is some variety of glycol. If it all evaporates, it is likely methanol or ethanol.
