| Author | Message | ||
| Luis (Sundancer)
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Perhaps this subject has been covered but here goes anyway. What is best to use, pvc tubing or flex hose for water feed to faucets and such? I feel pvc will work if I anchor it so as to minimize movement. We hate the cold so freezing weather will not be a problem because we will avoid it at all costs. I think southern California cold will be no problem. For those other unfortunate times I will drain the lines at night. I plan on insulating the lines anyway. Any input from you wise bus people out there will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Luis | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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I will be using all copper, but I'm a nut. (That hates the taste of plastic) Gary | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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I used cpvc for all pressure lines...pvc for all drain lines | ||
| Matt Rating: N/A |
I used pix | ||
| Don/TX
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I used CVPC throughout for several reasons. Initial cost and ease of use, availability of repairs if needed almost anywhere, and in case I was stupid enough to get into freezing weather, easy to fix if something did get froze up. It was also important to me to be able to live in the bus with full pressure hookups with no fear of blowing a line. I would do it the same way again if I were to build another bus. | ||
| Ethan Tuttle (Mrert)
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I am using all pex line with crimp fittings. Fast and easy to use! Alot of the new houses have it in it. My whole house has it and i have never had any problems. It is vary easy to work with! Ethan 1981 Eagle 10 | ||
| david anderson (Davidanderson)
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I did like Twodogs. Used CPVC. It's cheap, easy to fix if it breaks, and can be found and any hardware store. I did insulate all my pipe in the bays. And I used sched 40 PVC for all drains. Used the multi purpose glue where I had to connect to the RV type ABS drains valves. Also, for my own pleasure I used Fernco rubber boot slip fittings to connect drain pipes from the floor penetrations to the tank, just to give them a bit of flexibility and for easy removal if I have to pull out a tank. So far 2 years and 20k miles, no problems. David Anderson | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
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I used copper on the feeds, more work and expense, but I have done so much copper I am compfortble with using it. I guess I'm a throwback to other times, hey at least I didn't use galvanized... I also think the copper looks nice, especially when polished up a bit. I do not anticipate being in freezing weather, but I guess I might get caught in it sometime. I did design it so all can drain. I wanted to be able to hook up to high pressure lines without being concerned about blowouts. My 5th wheel has teh plastic, pex I think, and as it aged, the fittings all leaked. I used the black ABS for all my drains, and as David did, I connected them all with the rubber fittings for flexibilty in case of minor tank shifting, and for easy removal should I need to. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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Growing up in an electrical repair shop, I think I started soldering stuff at like age 5 or 6. I can sweat copper blindfolded, but I dont, burnt fingers hurt bad. I did a few houses in PVC/CPVC, and I could taste the plastic from then on. Honestly, it only takes me a little longer to sweat copper than it does to glue up plastic. Gary | ||
| Jerry C
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I used the flexable pipe found in most RV suppliers -- forget its name forsure maybe PEX but used the screw on fittings -- the pipe and especially the fittings are on the pricy side but at present my interior is not in its final configuration and the ability to easily disassemble and reassemble (and reuse fittings and pipe) is a bit plus for me probably saving money and certainly time in the long haul | ||
| Mike (Busone)
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Do you have to secure the copper in a special way to prevent it from cracking from the bus flexing? I really hate the taste of plastic as well. | ||
| Airless in Mississippi Rating: N/A |
You guys mind the taste of plastic? But you dont lead? WOW!!!! Used CPVC for all the running lines. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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What lead? Yes I secure everything, plastic, copper, whatever. Gary | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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I think the tasteing plastic is all in their head,maybe for a day,but nothing after that.. cpvc even stands up better in freezeing...it's tougher | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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It's intolerable for the first few days, it's worse when plastic sits in the pipe for extended periods, like on a bus. Gary | ||
| chuck - PD140 Rating: N/A |
You can't taste CPVC... not even on well water. Copper is a different story, however, especially if your water is slightly acid. I used copper in my 4104, but if for some reason I couldn't, I would use CPVC. -Chuck | ||
| Derek (Derek_l)
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"It's intolerable for the first few days, it's worse when plastic sits in the pipe for extended periods, like on a bus. " Gary; no wonder you're tasting plastic in the water. You've got plastic *in* your pipes.. not just plastic pipes. Maybe a filter would help you out. | ||
| Luis (Sundancer)
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I'm confused, which really isn't hard for me. What is the difference between pvc and cpvc. I checked the stuff I bought at Home cheapo, it says schedule 40 rated at 600 psi. 1/2 inch for the pressure lines, 1 - 1/4 for drains. I don't think I'll be able to find anything close to 600 psi, and if I do and still hook it up to my coach, I deserve any leaks I get. What do you guys think? Thanks, Luis | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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cpvc is at home depo...up a few feet...it's rated for hot water...it is tan instead of white...now don't everybody get in here and start argueing about the color...I'm talking about what is at home depo... | ||
| Niles Rating: N/A |
2D - is right - I believe CPVC is schedule 120 - it is some pretty tough stuff - National Fire Code allows CPVC to be used in the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems - when you install it you must use the right cleaner and glue - and hold the fitting together for about 60 seconds until it sets - Niles | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Who said "garden hose"? | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Curent solder is supposed to be lead free! | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
CPVC vs PVC PVC = Poly Vinyl Chloride CPVC = Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride | ||
| Luis (Sundancer)
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Thank you all. I am now no longer confused, I think. I'll use pvc. If it leaks (which it won't), its easy to fix. As for the taste, who drinks that stuff anyway. If I'm thirsty there's always beer. We just use it for showering and stuff. Thanks, Luis | ||
| Niles Rating: N/A |
Luis - to some of us - Beer is a condiment - LOL Niles | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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"Gary; no wonder you're tasting plastic in the water. You've got plastic *in* your pipes.. not just plastic pipes. Maybe a filter would help you out." No I don't, I use copper!  Seriously, Plastic pipe leaches hydrocarbons into the water in trace amounts, some are more sensitive than others, this is according to my 20 yr+ plumber friend. I'd like to know more about PIX though. Gary | ||
| Niles Rating: N/A |
Gary - its actually "pex" piping - may be easier for your search - Niles | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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Not if you're lexdisic Gary | ||
| schoolbus nut Rating: N/A |
Luis... Go with CPVC if you want to choose between it and PVC. CPVC can be used for HOT or COLD water. PVC is ONLY for cold! FWIW Mark 75 gillig 636D cat 3208 turbo skoolie type busnut | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
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Luis, PVC is ok for cold water, but you can't use it for hot. It's easier just to do it all in CPVC because the fittings and the glue between the two are different. I was orginally planning PEX but it was hard to find without special order - and I knew I'd need to run back and forth to the store a few times in getting all the pieces and parts figured out. And Gary we always knew you had a sensitive side. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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I can smell stuff others can't too. Not always a good thing. Gary | ||
| Airless in Mississippi Rating: N/A |
Gary what do you use to get the water to the coach?? Is it hard plumbed to the water supply? Could that taste becoming from that cheap hose? All the hoses I have ever dealt with taste like crap. | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
The Premium instalation is copper tubing with flair fittings , 5/8 dia works great to reduce electric for the FW pump. Second choice is soldered copper tubing (1/2 in). with enough unions to be able to remove ANY section for repair. Soldering is then ALL done outside. The copper is chosen as it is light proof and does NOT encourage bacteria to grow in the unused times. FAST FRED | ||
| David Dulmage (Daved)
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I'd go with CPVC since it's low cost and available everywhere. I recently had to repair a damaged fitting while travelling and was able to stop at Lowe's, get the parts and cement and was fixed and back on the road in less than an hour. Only tools I needed were a hacksaw, and a screwdriver. The repair cost, including some extra spare fittings was under $5.00. Dave Dulmage | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
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A thought on (white) PVC vs (black) ABS for drain pipes. You have a hard time finding ABS drain pipe and fittings in Florida and maybe some other places. You have to go to an RV supply store and pay a lot. PVC is available in all states and Provinces. I favor transitioning from PVC to the final ABS drain fittings for the dump with rubber couplings. I also use a rubber coupling for the sewer hose connection under the bus, because it is in a position to be knocked off if we high center in a field or bumpy road. The first time you need to work on your system, you will have to cut the pipe and use a rubber coupling or rebuild the whole drain system, so you might as well build that way to begin with. The original point of this was: ABS is not easy to find in Florida so use PVC until the dump valve fittings which are always ABS. | ||
| Luis (Sundancer)
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Looks like cpvc wins. Thank you all for all the input. I realize copper would probably be a little bit better, but also more expansive and more complex to fix on the road, to say nothing of the increased difficulty to install for us copper challenged folks. Thanks, Luis |