  We describe electron temperature measurements in the SSX MHD wind tunnel
using two different methods. First, we estimate $T_e$ along a chord by
measuring the ratio of the $C_{III}~97.7~nm$ to $C_{IV}~155~nm$ line
intensities using a vacuum ultraviolet monochrometer. Second, we record a
biasing scan to a double Langmuir probe to obtain a local measurement of $T_e$.
The aim of these studies is to increase the Taylor state lifetime, primarily by
increasing the electron temperature. Also, a model is proposed to predict
magnetic lifetime of relaxed states and is found of predict the lifetime
satisfactorily. Furthermore, we find that proton cooling can be explained by
equilibration with the electrons.
