| Author |
Message |
Eric Brandt (Erict) (209.142.16.100)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 2:00 pm: | |
I have a 1983 Bluebird Wanderlodge with several blown copper pipes (due to freezing). I am wondering what my alternatives are when I go to fix them? Is there another pipe type to use that is easier than copper to maintain/repair? |
FAST FRED (63.215.229.215)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 3:24 pm: | |
If you replace the copper tubing that is probably soldered with softer refrigeration grade ( comes in a coil) and flair fittings ,you can carry a couple of ft of tubing and fix it anytime with no soldering.
No fire risk , and the softer stuff still holds 100+ psi , and is easier to snake back in place than the harder tubing.
FAST FRED |
Dale Fleener (64.66.215.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 3:40 pm: | |
Copper tubing that has been frozen, even if it doesn't split, is bigger with thinner walls because of the expansion of the water to ice expansion.
I just retired as a RV tech (I know) and as a result of seeing what is out there and attending training, have decided to use TuffPEX tubing by uponor for my coach. This stuff is a plastic (I know) tubing that holds up well to every thing except direct sunlight in excess of a month and excessive heat. Check out both 'TuffPEX' and 'uponor' on the net. Master Tech (www.mastertech-inc.com) has a nice little pamphlet about this stuff. Call them in MI at (800) 848-0558.
A downside of this stuff is it takes big $ for the tools, but if you can find a factory rep to give you the 'training' installation is warrantied for 10 years. If you can't get trained, its still warrantied for a year.
Drat, I do ramble on. Hope this helps.
Dale |
Dale FLeener (64.66.215.84)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 3:43 pm: | |
When copper gets bigger from being frozen, fittings wont fit the tubing.
Dale |
bob k (24.56.194.188)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 7:35 pm: | |
You can use any brand of pex tubing and use brass compression fittings. Wirsbo brand is probably the best, it is all good stuff. |
George Myers (12.85.14.137)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 7:45 pm: | |
I used FlexPEX with Flair-It fittings. It will not be damaged by freezing. It does not require special tools. Only pliers and a tubing cutter are needed. See my article on "Fresh Water Tubing" in the November 1999 issue of Bus Conversions. For more information on coach plumbing see www.busnut.com/seecs.html.
George Myers |
chris (12.91.11.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 8:38 pm: | |
i used pvc from homa depot 1/2 inch cheep & easy
christopher |
Scott Whitney (66.82.9.24)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 03, 2002 - 8:41 pm: | |
I used the same FlexPEX stuff. I love it. Easy to work with. Use for hot or cold.
When my bus froze, the only thing damaged was the plastic shower sprayer wand. Replaced it with a metal one.
Scott |
john wood (206.252.234.101)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 2:10 pm: | |
Try KITEC brand pex. Stuff has a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of pex and works like soft copper. Fittings are installed with a wrench so no expensive tools needed, plus, they are removeable and reusable. Has same coefficient of expansion as copper so it does not wiggle around when hot water goes thru it. Plus it stays where you formed it and looks neater. If you need a lot of it, you can use the blue color for the cold and the orange for the hot. I have used miles of it in radiant floors and a fair amount plumbing. And oh yeah; it is generally less expensive than the other pex or copper.
jw |
ktrout01 (207.190.253.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 3:49 pm: | |
Where did you buy your KITEC pipe and fittings ? It looks like pretty cool stuff to work with. |
john wood (206.252.234.56)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 6:03 pm: | |
Actually I wholesale it now. Quit doing installs and now deal with Mfgs. and Wholesalers as a rep. If you cannot find it locally I could ship it. let me know.
Jw |
Wayne Buttress (Flyingb) (209.77.201.210)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2002 - 6:16 pm: | |
Kitec tubeing at http://www.radiantmax.com/products/Plumbing/default.htm
Wayne |
JME (63.24.112.143)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 1:00 pm: | |
I am a plumber and we intend to re-pipe using cpvc; we use it extensively in apartment buildings as well as in houses. It is very easy to install and when it requires a repair, it's simple; just cut with a pliers-like ratcheting cutter and do what you need to do.
It is rated at 400 psi@ 73 degrees F and 100 psi@ 180F. Being plastic, there is a small amount of expansion capability, though I have definitely seen it crack from a hard freeze. Corrosion is not a problem and it is opaque,(no bugs!)
Flare fittings are fine, and I do agree with Freds' statement about fishing soft copper through.
I would not consider pex or similar materials,(I have seen too many leaks), but if I did, I would use compression fittings rather than those specialised ones requiring specialised,(read-expensive) tools. The compression fittings are easily installed in case of a repair. |
Wayne Buttress (Flyingb) (209.77.201.197)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 5:02 pm: | |
Can anyone tell me where to get CPVC in Calif. The state doesn't allow it in residential const. for hot water use, but other states do. I'm thinking of using it for hot water in my conversion.
Thanks, Wayne |
Dale Fleener (66.242.171.35)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 08, 2002 - 7:06 pm: | |
I worked as a RV tech in Calif central valley and had no trouble finding cpvc in places like Orchard Super Hardware, Home Depot, etc. In a crunch you could probably go to the nearest RV service place and have them order you some, but that will cost more. Hope this helps, Dale |