Pex, vinyl tubing or???

[garychurch]

There are two different Pex systems. YouTube has some excellent DIY videos. The favored Pex system uses a tubular expansion tool as opposed to a crimp. Crimp fittings, especially T’s, have restrictions smaller than the tube ID reducing flow.

The Pex system is very flexible and long lasting. Highly recommended.

[aa1bflyboy]

Thanks for all the rapid responses. So it seems to be a toss up. The first part I’ll be dealing with is right at the pump area under the sink in the galley. I’ve already got some vinyl tubing leftover from my plumbing job on my Ericson. So I’ll start there with the vinyl hose. One thing I’ve found to be rather annoying is a 1/2” pex fitting is to small for the 1/2” ID vinyl tubing and the 1/2” barb fitting for the vinyl hose will not go into a 1/2” pex fitting. WTF is up with that??? It’s like Pex has it’s own sizing structure. It’s worse than Metric!!!

[Glassdog]

Sharkbite sucks,PERIOD!

[Redline452]

Originally Posted by Niall leslie

- I would vote for sex for a number of reasons including that it can be easily heat formed if desirable.

I have nothing to add.



(actually, plenty, but can't decide...)

[roverhi]

Viny hose shouldn’t be used on pressurized hot water.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Viny hose shouldn’t be used on pressurized hot water.

Interesting, why not? I used it for over twenty years with no problems. Between pex and hose, I think its a toss up. Each has its pluses and minuses. And, to be clear, pex can split. Had that happen a couple of times, not in the sun, either.

[joelhemington]

Originally Posted by Niall leslie

- I would vote for sex for a number of reasons including that it can be easily heat formed if desirable.
- For fittings the crimp type onto plastic fittings are generally excellent for salt water use and where these fittings are inappropriate then I've found that Sea Tech are by far the best. They are similar to Shark Bite but all plastic with SS grippers, safety locks are available and they are easily released if required.
- I've been using them for over 6 years with literally no problems.
- To avoid pump pressure pulse noise issues and to avoid the pump always having to operate for small quantities of water I use a pressure tank in the system of total capacity about 4 litres.
Cheers,
Niall.

"I would vote for sex for a number of reasons"

What's love got to do with it?

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by Redline452

I have nothing to add.



(actually, plenty, but can't decide...)

I'm in the same boat

[rbk]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Viny hose shouldn’t be used on pressurized hot water.

Average temp/pressure rating for reinforced vinyl hose is 75@150-150@75 (temp/psi)

[Pitchondesign]

Originally Posted by roverhi

Viny hose shouldn’t be used on pressurized hot water.

Trident 166 (red) is rated for 250 psi up to 149° F in 1/2" size. Seems fine.

[JD-MDR]

I repiped with Pex the tank under the v-birth because it wasn't piped to the galley only to the lav basin at the head. I found the ss clamps were easier to use in tight spaces The tool doesn't require so much space like the crimp rings. I found that you really have to think ahead and assemble what you can before installing the hoses in place sometimes you might need to feed both directions thru and use a coupling. At one point I had to use a regular SS marine grade hose clamp. There was no way I could the crimping tool. in without disassembling the whole boat interior

[mlydon]

Pex with expansion fitting are the bees knees - the expansion tool is an investment, but the fittings rock compared to shark bite or crimps.

You put a sleeve over the end, stretch the pipe and sleeve with the expansion tool, then pop on your elbow, tee, thread end or whatever. You can get valves with the expansion barbs, too. The pex shrinks back down within a minute or so.

Cleanest system I’ve used yet - my water heater was a nightmare of vinyl, tees and hose clamps. Chopped the hell out of myself trying to winterize, so I replaced the whole mess last year, installed bypass valves, etc.

I’ll post a pic when I’m back at the boat.....

Matt

[Donald Bryden]

I plumbed my boat with Pex and began full time cruising in 2004. It has held up well. I carry a small supply of spare fittings and some tubing, but have never used any of it for repairs.

[Hoodsail]

just re-did my 1978 fresh water system with pex (red-hot, blue-cold) and shark bite so only have 12 months (6 on the hard) history to date. leaving the pex in direct sun made it a bit more flexible but right angles are impossible without a shark bite elbow. I liked the sharkbite because you just push on, with force, and can easily take apart if you make a mistake...and i did. SharkBite connectors are nasty expensive and in hard to get places, next to impossible to apply enough force to get the sharkbite connection to seal. I chased a few leaks until finally functional. Ask me again in 5 yrs or so on durability..

[JD-MDR]

Originally Posted by mlydon

Pex with expansion fitting are the bees knees - the expansion tool is an investment, but the fittings rock compared to shark bite or crimps.

Matt

Expansion fittings look interesting. I may try them. In the near future I plan to re-pipe all three of my tanks. It's really a big project to access them. I practically have to disassemble the whole interior. . I noticed a lot of wasted space also. Maybe that's a good thing so as not to collect too much stuff. Any comments on the expansion fittings????