Pex

[DavidInWilmNC]

I'm probably going to use Pex for the plumbing in my bus.  I've looked at the removable fittings, and they'll work fine in some places.  In others, they'll be too bulky.  Pex can also be used with cinch rings, as well as the normal rings.  The cinch tool is much more affordable and works with most sizes of Pex.  Has anybody use the cinch fittings with any luck (good or bad)?  I've seen the cinch fittings used on vehicles and other applications fairly often, but I haven't seen them used with Pex.  I've attached a couple of pics of the tool and the cinch band.  Any input on these would be great.  Thanks.

David

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi David,

The cinch rings are the way to go.....   Much easier then crimp tools, and the cinch tool fits in the tight spaces.

I only noticed that my techs have had a small % of leaks with cinch rings as compared to 0% with crimp rings.

So do some practice tests first until you are comfortable with how they seal on the pex fittings.

Oh, I almost forgot, be sure to use the brass fittings with pex and crimp rings.... the others won't hold up to the preassure.

Good Luck
Nick-

[prevost82]

I used crimp rings on all the Pex through-out the bus, Hydro-Hot Heating line (high temp Pex supplied by Vehicle System) hot water and cold water. Haven't had one leak. I done think cinch rings meet code in Canada.
Ron

[tekebird]

On my 04 I used Pex with threaded compression fittings.

easy to use, can take apart an indefinite number of times.

cost is probably a bit higher but it worked well for me

[belfert]

I used the cinch rings on my bus.  I have not pressurized the system yet to see if it leaks.

I use the Oetiker brand crimp pliers and their rings.  I got the crimp rings and the plier for very reasonable prices off Ebay.  I wasn't aware anyone besides Oetiker made the stainless steel stepless crimp rings.

Jayco used these on my travel trailer and no leaks so they must work on RVs.

[DavidInWilmNC]

Well, it sounds like I'll be using the cinch rings.  Does anybody have a good source for fittings and cinch rings that they'd like to share?  Thanks for the info; I was a bit nervous about using the cinch rings without hearing of anybody's success with them first.

David

[gus]

Will one of you guys explain the differences in these to me:

Cinch Rings

Normal Rings

Crimp Rings

Are any of these removable?

Why won't regular hose clamps work?

[Kristinsgrandpa]

My son bought a mobile home that is plumbed with Pex.

He has had 2 fittings go bad in 2 years.

Maybe the vibrations in a coach help as all the busnuts like it.

Ed

[gumpy]

I used crimp rings on my heating system.

I used DuraPex fittings on my fresh water.

Both worked well. I wouldn't want to use crimp on the fresh water system. Too often I needed to remove a line for some reason or another.

I ended up with about 600 extra DuraPex fittings that I need to sell. Great deal on them. About half what they sell for in the store. If interested, let me know. There used to be a post in the sale area, but I don't see it now.

[DavidInWilmNC]

Oh, I almost forgot, be sure to use the brass fittings with pex and crimp rings.... the others won't hold up to the preassure.

Nick, are the fitting that are used with crimp rings also used for cinch rings?  I believe most I've seen are copper (at Lowe's and Home Depot).  Thanks for the info!

David

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi David,

I ment the fittings that are used to conjoin the pex should be brass, IE 90's, tee's, couplers, ect.

Nick-

[Skykingrob]

Hi All
I just completed this part of the conversion. I used the crimp rings after trying the others. Crimp were very easy, didn't require a different tool for each different size px. I practiced with a couple of test crimps first and then went to work on the whole system. No suprises and no leaks. Got my stuff at Lowes except rented the crimping tool at a hardware store for $8 per day. Took one to crimp everything together after assembling it all. This seemed to be one of the easier tasks on the conversion.

Rob
91 LeMirage XL
Missouri