Polybraid for LP hose?
- Thread starter 2Biz
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We use it. We’ve used it for over 20 years, works well and holds up well. I have a hose crimper to put the ends so it looks like professional made up hose. The crimper looks like this http://www.zoro.com/g/Hose Crimper/00013352/?gclid=CN6W1KLP1cMCFU1ffgodso8Ajw
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
Formally, my brushes were stored vertically, with the head in a "grain bucket" on the bay floor. The idea was to get some freeze-assist from the floor heat. Didn't work.
Then, I moved them to the horizontal position and still had issues with the hose ends. Tried the imbedded spiral wire poly hose which helped with the ends bending and cracking.
For the last 12-14 years I've used 1/4" 100R1 with 3/8" MPT crimped ends. But, I also use a swivel and a ST EL and another swivel on the inlet of the handle. The hoses hang straight down before looping up to the wall-mount boom. Most regulars actually use the elbowed swivels as a hand-hold (so do I). It works really well and the hoses seem to last forever. OK, at least longer than the Poly wire or poly braid...or so it seems.
Oh, and only curly hose for the foam guns...so I've just wasted your time by replying to this thread!! Whoops.
Then, I moved them to the horizontal position and still had issues with the hose ends. Tried the imbedded spiral wire poly hose which helped with the ends bending and cracking.
For the last 12-14 years I've used 1/4" 100R1 with 3/8" MPT crimped ends. But, I also use a swivel and a ST EL and another swivel on the inlet of the handle. The hoses hang straight down before looping up to the wall-mount boom. Most regulars actually use the elbowed swivels as a hand-hold (so do I). It works really well and the hoses seem to last forever. OK, at least longer than the Poly wire or poly braid...or so it seems.
Oh, and only curly hose for the foam guns...so I've just wasted your time by replying to this thread!! Whoops.
Randy,
Even though I winterize all LP functions with Washer Fluid and air, I still get an occasional frozen curly hose on the foam gun when temps are below 15°. They are 35 feet in total length and about another 10 feet to the trough. That’s a long way to push foam when the hose is that cold. I haven’t had that problem with 3/8” straight hose on the FB, but the hose is a lot shorter. Using clear hose is nice, a quick glance lets me know if everything is working the way it’s supposed to. Do you also use strain reliefs?
I think I have that same crimper???? I’m getting bad! Time to go thru some boxes!
Thanks CB80...You never waste my time! Yes I mainly want to fix the freezing issue with my foam guns. The PolyBraid looks promising since its strong and clear. I like to see the blue residue left over from a WWF cycle! It eliminates the guess work!
CB80, I take it you don't have problems pushing foam through 1/4" hydraulic hose? Does KR sell the 100R1 hose? P/N? I bought 100' of 1/4" hydraulic hose from KR to make a jetter but will have to go back and see what I actually bought. It works well as a jetter and is very flexible. I bet a smaller ID hose works better for our WWF blow down systems? Ya Think? I like the clear hose though! There are tradeoffs with everything!
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
2Biz, I find no appreciable difference in foam delivery with the 1/4" hose. A non-winterized brush starts showing foam in less than 6 seconds...a purged brush, maybe 12 seconds. Not a KR customer but I think their blue 1/4" Goodyear is HO0087BL and the 1/4x3/8 crimp-on is HU0406MB. I agree about the Secret Sauce working better with smaller ID bay hoses...and everything is SO much better than those old 1/2" lines from the engine room to the booms...right?
Please have a little faith, ole pal...it ain't gonna be 15 degrees any more this season! Keep repeating: "It's an anomaly...it's an anomaly!"
Please have a little faith, ole pal...it ain't gonna be 15 degrees any more this season! Keep repeating: "It's an anomaly...it's an anomaly!"
I.B. Washincars
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I have used the poly-braid for FB, but I like the Pliovic better. I use my HP hose crimper to crimp on an end and also add a bend restrictor. I've never used the coily hose and wouldn't have them stuck up my butt, even if it felt good. I see no benefit in them and the extra length would just be more problematic, IMO. My 2¢
Tell us how you really feel!
What a visual that was!!!! I do have to agree about coily hoses being problematic. I have to untangle them every day!
CB80...Yes, everything works SO SO much better than the ol' days! I'm definitely not complaining at all...And I can certainly live with a few frozen LP hoses every winter. But for some strange reason, I have this drive to make it "Perfect"! Thanks for the P/N's!
Oh BTW, I really try to stay positive and have faith! But looking at our long range forecast shattered it! Um, were going to have an "Anomaly" next Saturday night. Its supposed to get down to 6°! Its not over!
cantbreak80
Maybe I need new clubs
2Biz,
I've solved your freeze up problem.
I called my cousin Jake and told him to quit stopping by your car wash to turn on tri-foam when it's 15 degrees.
I've solved your freeze up problem.
I called my cousin Jake and told him to quit stopping by your car wash to turn on tri-foam when it's 15 degrees.
Earl Weiss
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When I got into the SS bus a veteran advised to use the HP hose for the FB. The regular LP hose is more likey to kink and cut off the weep and the line freezes. A couple of times the HP hose got worn at the handle and flopped over kinking ... and the weep stopped and the line froze.
Who's Jake???? Does he live around here???? He wouldn't have brothers named Billy Bob or Cletus would he???2Biz,
I've solved your freeze up problem.
I called my cousin Jake and told him to quit stopping by your car wash to turn on tri-foam when it's 15 degrees.
I think I've seen him....Although he likes stopping by when its -2°!
***Update***
Ok...So its really cold right now here in Southern Ohio....-15° tonight! I switched out one of the coiled hoses for Polybraid...Maybe not such a good idea when it gets this cold! I'd be just as well off drilling a hole through a 2x4 and mounting the foam gun to it! The polybraid gets stiff as a board when its this cold! But what I did learn, was the straight hose didn't freeze any more like the curley hose did. I guess its easier to clear 13' of hose v/s 35' of hose! Anyway, that part is out of the way. So in my quest to get something clear and something that stays flexible, I'm trying some straight polyurethane hose. You can also get these really neat reusable spring loaded strain relief's for it...
http://www.atp4pneumatics.com/catalog.asp?prodid=786819&showprevnext=1
So as soon as it comes in I'm going to give it a try...I believe it says it will stay flexible down to about -40° which will pretty much cover when I stay open! Its interesting, I did a search on here and didn't turn up anything for Polyurethane or Surethane...Polyurethane is what most coiled hoses are made of. So I already know how well it holds up, I just needed to eliminate about 20' of hose. An added bonus, the TF and PS has a lot more pressure now that I got rid of 20' of hose....
Ok...So its really cold right now here in Southern Ohio....-15° tonight! I switched out one of the coiled hoses for Polybraid...Maybe not such a good idea when it gets this cold! I'd be just as well off drilling a hole through a 2x4 and mounting the foam gun to it! The polybraid gets stiff as a board when its this cold! But what I did learn, was the straight hose didn't freeze any more like the curley hose did. I guess its easier to clear 13' of hose v/s 35' of hose! Anyway, that part is out of the way. So in my quest to get something clear and something that stays flexible, I'm trying some straight polyurethane hose. You can also get these really neat reusable spring loaded strain relief's for it...
http://www.atp4pneumatics.com/catalog.asp?prodid=786819&showprevnext=1
So as soon as it comes in I'm going to give it a try...I believe it says it will stay flexible down to about -40° which will pretty much cover when I stay open! Its interesting, I did a search on here and didn't turn up anything for Polyurethane or Surethane...Polyurethane is what most coiled hoses are made of. So I already know how well it holds up, I just needed to eliminate about 20' of hose. An added bonus, the TF and PS has a lot more pressure now that I got rid of 20' of hose....
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Earl Weiss
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Earl,
This is my reasoning:
Mainly the clear hose is for my benefit. I want to be able to tell at a glance if my blowdown/WWF system is working properly or to tell if I have a frozen hose. I’ve already determined the freeze issue. It was the length of the coiled hose.
Also, I’ve had the Clear Polyurethane coiled hoses in each bay for 4 years now without any issues. They have held up extremely well. As an added benefit, the customer can see the foam in the hose and its neat to watch it switch colors!
Some other determining factors for staying with this type hose: Polyurethane hose is 5-10 times more durable/wear resistant, is cold weather resistant, stays flexible in cold weather (temp rating -40°F to +160° F), it is kink resistant, chemical resistant, and is lighter and stronger than rubber hose.
It has to work!
This is my reasoning:
Mainly the clear hose is for my benefit. I want to be able to tell at a glance if my blowdown/WWF system is working properly or to tell if I have a frozen hose. I’ve already determined the freeze issue. It was the length of the coiled hose.
Also, I’ve had the Clear Polyurethane coiled hoses in each bay for 4 years now without any issues. They have held up extremely well. As an added benefit, the customer can see the foam in the hose and its neat to watch it switch colors!
Some other determining factors for staying with this type hose: Polyurethane hose is 5-10 times more durable/wear resistant, is cold weather resistant, stays flexible in cold weather (temp rating -40°F to +160° F), it is kink resistant, chemical resistant, and is lighter and stronger than rubber hose.
It has to work!
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Update:
Well, I have to take the "Walk of shame"!!! After getting the polyurethane tubing in and installing it on one of my foam guns, my well oiled plan did not come together once again! The polyurethane tubing comes rolled up and it wants to keep that form. It will not straighten out. So I guess I'm giving up on something that is clear. These Ideas are costing too much money! Back to using Goodyear hose that I know stays flexible even below zero and hangs nicely against the wall...
So I'm posting the results to keep someone else from trying this thinking it will work in the winter. Maybe it will work in the summer so all is not lost? We'll see.
Well, I have to take the "Walk of shame"!!! After getting the polyurethane tubing in and installing it on one of my foam guns, my well oiled plan did not come together once again! The polyurethane tubing comes rolled up and it wants to keep that form. It will not straighten out. So I guess I'm giving up on something that is clear. These Ideas are costing too much money!
Back to using Goodyear hose that I know stays flexible even below zero and hangs nicely against the wall... So I'm posting the results to keep someone else from trying this thinking it will work in the winter. Maybe it will work in the summer so all is not lost? We'll see.
