Anyone keen for some silicone hose?

[mattd2]

Hi all,

Where is everyone getting their silicone tube from? The cheapest I have found is from www.hiq.co.nz @ ~$14 per metre for the 12.7mm ID 1.6mm wall thickness (1/2” ID 1/16” WT). I saw on the craftbrew site that they recommend this is not used for pressure or suction hose (and theirs was actually 2mm wall thickness).

I have also found a source in the US for 30 metres of tube working out at about $15 per meter for the thicker wall 1/2" ID 1/8" WT which is recommended by craftbrew (or $8 for the 1/2” ID 1/16” WT).

The problem is I don’t need 30m and getting it any shorter is not an option with the supplier. So would there be any interest in the remaining 20-25m of 1/2” silicone hose, the prices above could probably be inclusive of postage (if it was only 5 or so people to send to). In terms of timing it would most likely take ~2 weeks to get here from order, then as soon as I get payments I could cut it up and post it.

So is there anyone that would be keen?

Cheers

[MrC]

Good on ya for looking into a cheaper source for quality silicon hosing.  Those prices always make me cringe.  I was thinking of splashing out for the expensive stuff from Craftbrewer but only where required for the high pressure/suction sections and use the thinner walled tube for the remainder.

Has anyone actually tried using the Craftbrewer 12.7mm ID 1.6mm wall thickness tubing with a pump for recirculation?  The pressure required to recirculate seems pretty minimal.  Maybe the problem is the suction pressure on the tube when sucking  the wort through the grain.   I'm planning on giving it go soon.  Maybe I'll change my mind when there's beer squirting all over my garage.

[Michael]

I'd be keen for a few meters.

[Chris Banks]

Yep me too.

[mattd2]

Been looking into the 1.6mm wall thickness debate. I haven't found anyone that has, hand on heart, said it works for them. It seems split 50:50 between those that say "yeah... sure... it should be alright" and those saying "It's only a couple of $$ more [by the foot], why not just go for the one we know works"

Although I have seen some warnings not to apply pressure to even the 3.2mm wall thickness stuff otherwise it could ballon up and burst.

The other option is to get both, but the price might need to be more to deal with investing cash into this that I can't really have tied up at the moment (would mean my brewery build would be put on hold untill I sell the tubing, unless it all goes in a short time).

[mattd2]

Ok more research during lunch...

 

From March pumps and Iwaki (Resun possible knockoff) websites the dead head water heads / pressures are: 

809 HS - 2.5m / 24.5 kPa / 3.55 psi

815      - 4.1m / 40.2 kPa / 5.83 psi

MD20   - 4.3m / 42.2 kPa / 6.12 psi

MD30   - 5.4m / 53.0 kPa / 7.67 psi

MD40   - 6.4m / 62.8 kPa / 9.1 psi (my pump!)

 

From McMaster-Carr the pressure ratings for ½”  silicone tube @ 22°C are:

1.6mm – 5 psi

3.2mm – 10 psi

 

If we are talking about shutting off a valve after the tube and pumping against that the 3.2mm should be fine for all, the 1.6mm should be fine for only the 809 HS. But since the usual situation is pump > throttling valve > hose > open end / vessel the hose pressure is more likely the head height above the pump – about 2 m maximum or >3 psi. In this case the 1.6mm should be ok, and ok for gravity draining hoses.

So if order a roll of 12.7mm ID 1.6mm wall thickness who would want some @ $8 per metre?

[MrC]

Some good research there mattd2 but I'm a little confused.

 

So if order a roll of 12.7mm ID 1.6mm wall thickness who would want some @ $8 per metre?

Wouldn't it be easier just to buy the light duty Craftbrewer tubing with a thicker wall for the same price?

http://www.craftbrewer.com.au/shop/details.asp?PID=3255

Am I missing something?

[mattd2]

Am I missing something?

Shipping?

Got to actually work through the numbers for the thinner wall stuff so we'll see...

[mattd2]

Plus I haven't seen any 2mm wall thickness tube around so I don't know if the craftbrewer stuff is actually 1.6 / 2.0 / 2.4mm wall. Just sent them an email so hopefully I'll get a reply soon.

[Michael]

I run a 815 pump. So, I reckon I need to get the thicker stuff.

[Michael van Wijk]

Since the US exchange rate is soooo good at mo, what about silicon tubing from Bargain Fittings in US

http://www.bargainfittings.com/index.php?route=product/product&...

Looks pretty good to me and great service.

[mattd2]

Apparently international orders are not available, don't know if that is just a temporary thing or not.

[Michael van Wijk]

I'd contact Wayne Yandell at his site. I recently brought stuff from this site - no probs at all. I suspect it's a website error. The postage is automatically calcuated on the weight of the order.