What type hose have you found to hold up the best to weather, UV, and flexing from the trough to boom in an outside bay? I'm switching to Polyethylene tubing inside the bays for easy hookup to push lock fittings. I don't know how well it will hold up to direct sunlight and UV in an outside environment. I use the natural color if it makes any difference.
Outside Bay Hose From Trough To Boom
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Will make a big difference. Natural is worst for UV. Black is best.
I should have researched it before posting, But have never seen it discussed here. You would think it would be just the opposite. Black soaks up the sun and white reflects it. From what I've read the color black has a natural UV resistance. I'll give the Black LLDPE a try. I've used poly braided in the past and have had decent luck with it. Although the LLDPE will be easier/faster to change out with the push lock fittings.
Thanks!
Thanks!
2Biz,
Are you talking about poly tubing or poly reinforced hose? Poly tubing is junk compared to nylon tubing. I had a lot of problems with poly tubing getting pin hole leaks, it just doesn't hold up like nylon does. I have nylon tubing that has last almost 10 years so far. The nylon tubing does come in UV resistant black, natural, and other limited colors. Colors are nice to color code lines for specific soaps, waxes, and etc. I can't say much for poly reinforced hose because I don't use it on any of my 3 IBAs or in my ER.
Are you talking about poly tubing or poly reinforced hose? Poly tubing is junk compared to nylon tubing. I had a lot of problems with poly tubing getting pin hole leaks, it just doesn't hold up like nylon does. I have nylon tubing that has last almost 10 years so far. The nylon tubing does come in UV resistant black, natural, and other limited colors. Colors are nice to color code lines for specific soaps, waxes, and etc. I can't say much for poly reinforced hose because I don't use it on any of my 3 IBAs or in my ER.
Wiki...
I purchase the Polyethylene or LLDPE Tubing from here:
http://www.freshwatersystems.com/c-328-polyethylene-lldpe-tubing.aspx
I don't really know if polyethylene is the same as Nylon? When I buy it, it is John Guest Brand...I am slowly changing everything at the wash over to this type of tubing and all push lock fittings. I'm growing to dislike poly braid and barb fittings! I have yet to have a push lock fitting or the tubing fail. I have some of the black Polyethylene tubing on order and will try it in the outside bay. I use natural everywhere else that is protected from sunlight. Using different colors is also nice for color coding. All my chemicals have a different color to them, so you can say they "Get" color coded...
I purchase the Polyethylene or LLDPE Tubing from here:
http://www.freshwatersystems.com/c-328-polyethylene-lldpe-tubing.aspx
I don't really know if polyethylene is the same as Nylon? When I buy it, it is John Guest Brand...I am slowly changing everything at the wash over to this type of tubing and all push lock fittings. I'm growing to dislike poly braid and barb fittings! I have yet to have a push lock fitting or the tubing fail. I have some of the black Polyethylene tubing on order and will try it in the outside bay. I use natural everywhere else that is protected from sunlight. Using different colors is also nice for color coding. All my chemicals have a different color to them, so you can say they "Get" color coded...
Last edited:
MEP001
Well-known member
Poly is not the same as nylon. The John Guest 1/4" from Kleen-Rite is rated at only 100 PSI. The Mazzer nylon tubing I use is rated for 250.
2Biz,
Mep is right. Poly tubing and Nylon tubing are two separate materials. Nylon being far more durable and with higher pressure and temperature ratings. You can color code via chemical color but what happens when you have a leak and that colored fluid isn't there? One you can do a process of elimination to figure out whats missing or you can also color code it with electrical tape too. As far as fittings go from KR I like using Parker true seal fittings. BC they are very chemical resistant compared to brass or nickel plated brass fittings.
Mep is right. Poly tubing and Nylon tubing are two separate materials. Nylon being far more durable and with higher pressure and temperature ratings. You can color code via chemical color but what happens when you have a leak and that colored fluid isn't there? One you can do a process of elimination to figure out whats missing or you can also color code it with electrical tape too. As far as fittings go from KR I like using Parker true seal fittings. BC they are very chemical resistant compared to brass or nickel plated brass fittings.
After another Google search, I see what your talking about. Nylon has a higher psi rating at a given temperature compared to polyethylene. The 1/4" I get from fresh water systems shows a rating of 250 psi at 70° and 120 psi @ 150°. Way more than needed for low pressure. My SFR runs at 150psi and I've never had an issue. It also looks like polyethylene tubing is about 1/4th the price of nylon. FB and PS runs at appr. 60 psi, So I'm well within the range. If I were to boost up my SFR pressure, I might have to switch to nylon. But for now it seems the polyethylene is sufficient as far as PSI is concerned.
I use both SMC brass push lock and John Guest PI series (acetal grey) fittings. They are designed to hold up to the chemicals we use. I am sure the Parkers are just as good. Funny how we find things that work and stick with certain brands.
I use both SMC brass push lock and John Guest PI series (acetal grey) fittings. They are designed to hold up to the chemicals we use. I am sure the Parkers are just as good. Funny how we find things that work and stick with certain brands.
We stopped using the Polyethylene tubing years ago, too many failures. We went with the Nylon tubing and haven’t had any problems since. The Nylon tubing is a little more expensive up front but well worth it in the long run. We don’t use the Push lok type connectors, I can’t recall when I had to remove the tubing from any equipment, we just don’t have any problems with it.
Good information everybody, thanks!
Randy, what kind of failures were you having? After looking at my hoses a little closer at the wash, I do have 3/8" Nylochem (Nylon Tubing) on the SFR out to the bays. But everything else is Polyethylene. The only difference I see between the Nylon and Polyethylene is about 20 psi difference in pressure ratings. The Nylochem is 250psi and the Polyethylene is 230psi max at 70°....I haven't had a single issue in over three years since installing the equipment that uses both. The tubing was supplied by Dultmeier when the equipment was purchased.
Randy, what kind of failures were you having? After looking at my hoses a little closer at the wash, I do have 3/8" Nylochem (Nylon Tubing) on the SFR out to the bays. But everything else is Polyethylene. The only difference I see between the Nylon and Polyethylene is about 20 psi difference in pressure ratings. The Nylochem is 250psi and the Polyethylene is 230psi max at 70°....I haven't had a single issue in over three years since installing the equipment that uses both. The tubing was supplied by Dultmeier when the equipment was purchased.
