AC raw water hose--what are you using?

[q240z]

I've seen what looks like HD garden hose used for raw water supply to air conditioners and I've seen double wall, steel reinforced hose used. What are y'all using?

 

[oceanjake]

Anything below the waterline on my boat gets wire reinforced wet exhaust hose. Overkill? Maybe...but minimal cost increase and no downside.

 

[Toolsntoys]

I recently went to defenders to purchase hose for the same application. The staff said that the trident 132 meets CG requirements I am skeptical as I would of thought that the wire reinforced hose would be the hose to use

 

[q240z]

Trident 132 is the stuff I've seen that looks like heavy duty garden hose. I'm sure it's good stuff, but I've been impressed with the Series 200/110. It's a right proper double-wall hose, but not wire reinforced. The 250/100 has a wire, but I have no kink concerns and the greater flexibility of the 200/110 might come in handy.

 

[krush]

Anything below the waterline on my boat gets wire reinforced wet exhaust hose. Overkill? Maybe...but minimal cost increase and no downside.

On most boats, only the first few feet of hose run are below the water line.

 

[hoop1013]

Keep in mind that your AC pump is more than likely a "pulling" pump. The reinforced hose eliminates the risk of a collapsed hose.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I thought most AC pumps are flooded-inlet centrifugal pumps, which don't develop suction. Quentin, I would use the hose you mentioned- not the garden-hose looking stuff, but the other one. I don't think you need hose with a wire helix unless the bends are tight. And in your situation, if the bends are tight, you can move stuff around so they are not. Since you're designing the installation yourself.

 

[q240z]

Yup, I've got the flooded inlet centrifugal pump, so no suction here.

 

[krush]

I thought most AC pumps are flooded-inlet centrifugal pumps, which don't develop suction.

This is correct, except we must elaborate on "suction". Unlike a positive displacement pump, a centrifugal pump can't suck or create a vacuum. However, this doesn't mean the pump cannot be higher than the tank the fluid is pumping from. What it means is the line from the tank, to the pump, will have to be "primed" or completely full of fluid, for the pump to work.

An example of this is an in-ground swimming pool with the filter pump above the surface of the water in the pool. This is because the inlet to the pump impeller will be lower than the absolute pressure (atmospheric pressure) and the "weight" of the atmosphere on top of the pull water will push the water into the pump.

If you want more detailed/nerd info, look up NPSH (net positive suction head).

 

[Seapig100]

This is correct, except we must elaborate on "suction". Unlike a positive displacement pump, a centrifugal pump can't suck or create a vacuum. However, this doesn't mean the pump cannot be higher than the tank the fluid is pumping from. What it means is the line from the tank, to the pump, will have to be "primed" or completely full of fluid, for the pump to work.An example of this is an in-ground swimming pool with the filter pump above the surface of the water in the pool. This is because the inlet to the pump impeller will be lower than the absolute pressure (atmospheric pressure) and the "weight" of the atmosphere on top of the pull water will push the water into the pump.If you want more detailed/nerd info, look up NPSH (net positive suction head).

Our trucks have centrifugal pumps, they create some serious suction a 550 hp cummins gives plenty of motivation.

 

[Cricket]

We try to use silicone hose for all applications except for fuel, like to only do projects once.

 

[jrbrein]

We try to use silicone hose for all applications except for fuel, like to only do projects once.

What vendor do you recommend?

Jon

 

[q240z]

3/4" Trident silicone exhaust hose appears to be ~$24/ft. It has a 10 year warranty, and is probably the highest quality hose around. I'm not sure if it's worth the price though.

Silicone heater hose in the same ID is on ebay for ~$5/ft, but it doesn't appear to be anywhere near as heavy duty (in particular, chafe resistant) as the Trident 200-110 EPDM hose.

I'll be interested to know the specific manufacturer/model for what you're using for AC raw water hose, Cricket.

 

[Cricket]

Have bought some on Ebay, McMaster Carr, and also BOW. If you're not in a rush you will find some at decent pricing. Think there's 4 types of silicone hose: heater, what I would call straight hose, wire, and corrugated wire. The heater hose is pretty tough, just depends on the application, if it has the SAE J???? rating it will be good hose.

 

[krush]

Meh, I was thinking about using PEX above the waterline. Flame away!

 

[jrbrein]

Krush,

I love pex and use it in all my rental properties but while you can get stainless crimps, the fittings are brass. Brass and sea water in a raw water cooling system? Are there any bronze or stainless fittings for pex?

Jon